As one of several major stops on Interstate 70, the city of Wheeling sees many tractor-trailers and other massive commercial vehicles every day. Unfortunately, while most of these trucks reach their final destinations without incident, truckers who drive recklessly or break traffic laws can end up causing catastrophic harm to other drivers in large-scale collisions.
If you recently suffered harm in a wreck caused by a negligent trucker or trucking company, working with a Wheeling truck accident lawyer may be crucial to boosting your case’s chances of success. The companies that own and operate commercial trucks often have large budgets dedicated to contesting civil claims. Without representation from an experienced personal injury attorney, you may have a very difficult time getting the restitution you deserve.
At Bordas & Bordas, we have successfully handled numerous truck accident cases, including Evans v. Allied Waste, in which we obtained millions of dollars in compensation for our client. Our firm is prepared to fight for the compensation you need to facilitate your recovery.
Who Could Be Liable for a Truck Crash?
Like everyone else who operates a motor vehicle on public roads, commercial truck drivers owe a duty of care to others around them. A truck driver who violates traffic laws, ignores federal trucking regulations, or engages in any unsafe driving practices has “breached” their duty of care. If a truck driver’s breach in the duty of care caused your accident, you could hold them or their insurance company financially liable for your injuries and damages.
However, vehicle collisions involving commercial trucks do not always stem directly from driver error. For example, some trucking companies impose unreasonable quotas on their drivers, forcing them to violate federal trucking regulations regarding driving time. If this kind of behavior leaves a truck driver too fatigued to drive safely, their employer might be directly liable for the consequences of a crash.
Likewise, the company may urge its workers to overload the trailers of their trucks to make more deliveries. If this type of negligence led to your accident, the company could also be held responsible.
Even if a trucking company did not violate federal law, they could still bear vicarious liability for the negligence of their employee through the doctrine of respondeat superior. A truck wreck attorney in Wheeling could help you determine who should be named as the defendants in your claim.
Recoverable Damages Following a Truck Wreck in Wheeling
Given their immense size and weight when fully loaded, tractor-trailers have the potential to cause life-altering injuries as well as tens of thousands of dollars in property damage. Accordingly, a successful settlement or lawsuit following a truck accident could result in a large amount of compensation.
A seasoned lawyer from our firm in Wheeling could help you seek restitution for many types of damages after a tractor-trailer collision, including:
- All past and future medical expenses associated with the accident
- Replacement costs for a totaled vehicle
- Loss of income and/or earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
It is crucial to work with an established law firm to ensure you include all potential damages in your claim.
Get in Touch with a Wheeling Truck Accident Attorney Today
Because of the amount of harm they can cause, it is especially important for commercial truck operators to drive safely, carefully, and within state traffic laws at all times. If they fail to do so and cause a preventable accident, you may be able to hold them or their employer liable.
However, your odds of a successful recovery will likely be slim if you try to proceed with a claim without professional legal representation. Call a Wheeling truck accident lawyer today to talk about your legal options.
