Truck Accident Lawyer

Millions of trucks travel across the nation each day, posing a major threat to the vehicles that share the road. Even the slightest distraction or mistake can cause a loss of control – with potentially deadly outcomes. Given the size and weight of these commercial trucks, the damage that results is most often to the motor vehicles involved.

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A semi truck involved in an auto accident on the side of the road.

Why Do You Need A Truck Accident Lawyer?

If you have been injured in an accident with a commercial vehicle, it's crucial to have an experienced trucking attorney on your side. The trucking industry is governed by unique laws and regulations, making accident lawsuits complex. To get full compensation for your accident injuries, trust The Mike Hostilo Law Firm. We're here to fight for you and have a record of results to prove it!

Here are some compelling reasons after your accident, Contact the truck accident attorney for Legal Advice

SPEAK WITH MULTIPLE INSURANCE COMPANIES

Each party involved in your trucking crash will likely be represented by a different insurance company. Dealing with one insurance company is bad enough. Now imagine facing tedious negotiations with insurers representing the trucker, the trucking company, the manufacturer, the cargo owner, etc.

While never a welcome task, these conversations come at a time when you should be focused on your recovery. Let your truck accident lawyer handle the frequent communications with the insurance companies instead.

TRUCKING ACCIDENTS HAVE COMPLICATED LAWS

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) oversees trucks and other commercial carriers. Its complex regulations will likely factor heavily in your legal claim, used to prove negligence – and therefore, liability.

Some of the most common federal regulations that come into play include:

- Hours of service (how long truckers can drive without resting)
- Driver qualifications (standards for licenses and physical fitness)
- Vehicle inspection, repair, and routine maintenance
- Required vehicle parts and accessories
- Insurance requirements
- Record/log preservation
- Hazardous material transport guidelines
- A qualified truck accident lawyer knows FMCSA regulations inside and out and will use this knowledge to build your case.

MANAGE DEATH AT THE SCENE TRUCK ACCIDENT

Truck accidents often result in serious or catastrophic injury – and in the worst-case scenario, death. The high incidence of fatalities in accidents involving commercial trucks makes it even more important to have trusted legal guidance.

Damages in wrongful death cases are often significant to compensate for the enormous loss experienced by surviving family members. Insurance companies, however, remain focused on their bottom line. Despite the heartache and hardship facing the deceased's family, the insurance company will attempt to pay out as little as possible. With this in mind, be sure to contact a trucking attorney as soon as possible.

ADDRESSING MULTIPLE VICTIMS IN TRUCKING ACCIDENT

Truck accident lawsuits involving multiple victims add even more complexity. For instance, a multi-car pileup on a busy highway may leave many crash victims in its wake. While all the injuries are the result of the same wreck. In order to recover the compensation you're entitled to, you will need to pursue your own accident claim. Your trusted truck accident attorney can help!

INVESTIGATE SCENE OF TRUCKING ACCIDENT

The location of your trucking crash may impact your accident lawsuit. Consider the following:

If the accident occurs in a construction zone, the construction company may be considered partly liable. It is their responsibility to modify the intersections/sections of the road where work is being performed – but negligence often plays a role.
If the accident occurs in a school zone, it is the school district's job to implement reduced speed limits and warning signals. If you are involved in an accident or your child is injured by a commercial truck while crossing the street, you may be eligible for compensation paid by the school district.

GATHER INFORMATION WITH ACCIDENT REPORT

After a truck crash, the police will typically be the first to arrive. The officer will create a detailed accident report and, in some cases, make a preliminary conclusion about who caused the wreck. If you dispute the facts in your police report, speak with a trucking attorney immediately.

Your lawyer will investigate, searching for evidence that is not consistent with the official report. If such evidence is found, they will work with the police officer to correct the report. Request a copy of the accident report and review it as soon as possible to give your trucking accident lawyer time to resolve any discrepancies.

HANDLE COMPLEX NEGOTIATIONS

If there are multiple parties responsible for causing the truck crash, you will need to fight each of them for the compensation you deserve. This is no easy feat! Instead of putting your compensation at risk, trust a truck accident lawyer to handle your case. Here at The Mike Hostilo Law Firm, our team will work diligently to maximize the value of your case.

GUIDE YOU THROUGH YOUR ACCIDENT LAWSUIT

Keep in mind that the legal process can be time-consuming and overwhelming. Handling your own accident lawsuit can be exhausting, especially when you are healing from the physical and emotional trauma of your truck crash. Trust The Mike Hostilo Law Firm truck accident or semi-truck accident lawyer to bear the burden and handle your entire case from start to settlement. We're always here to help, so don't hesitate to ask!

Who’s at Fault in a Truck Accident?

One of the many complexities of a truck accident case is that there can be many different parties involved or at fault, besides the drivers and their insurance companies.

With truck accidents, responsible parties may include the following:

If you are in a truck accident and haven’t called the Mike Hostilo Law Firm yet, here are a few important things to remember:

The truck driver:

Distracted driving, fatigue, impaired driving (drugs or alcohol), and speeding are all common causes of truck accidents. Each constitutes negligence, making the truck driver liable for your accident injuries.

The trucking company:

Trucking companies are responsible for the actions of their employees – plain and simple. Inadequate pre-employment screening, insufficient training, and violations of state and federal trucking rules prove that the trucking company acted negligently and should be held accountable.

The manufacturer of the truck and its parts:

Semi trucks are complex vehicles. The companies that make them can be held liable if a dangerous defect puts other drivers at risk.

The shipping company:

Third-party companies are typically responsible for loading commercial trucks. Errors, such as the failure to secure the load properly, can cause the truck to crash.

The mechanic or maintenance company:

The employee or business responsible for maintaining the rig and its parts may be held accountable if a mechanical failure resulted in a truck crash.

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Our Personal Injury Practice Areas

If you have been injured in a car crash or anywhere in between, our personal injury law firm can help. Let us handle your injury claim from start to finish, offering 24/7 support and trusted legal representation when you need it most. While you focus on your recovery, our injury attorneys will fight for the compensation you deserve.

An image of a car involved in an accident, requiring the expertise of a personal injury attorney.

Truck Accident Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a truck accident lawyer after a minor auto accident?

Due to trucks’ size and weight, collisions often result in more severe injuries and extensive vehicle damage – and very complicated cases. That is why it is crucial to seek trusted legal advice from an experienced trucking attorney.

How much does a good truck accident lawyer cost?

At Mike Hostilo Law Firm, our trucking attorneys are paid on a contingency basis – not by an hourly fee. Simply put, you only have to pay if and when you obtain compensation for your accident injuries. That’s right, you pay nothing until you receive the money you deserve!*

How long will it take to settle my auto claim after a truck accident?

The amount of time to reach a settlement varies greatly from one auto claim to the next. Because trucking accidents tend to be more complex than car wrecks, getting the compensation you are entitled to may take longer.

After my truck accident, who pays my medical bills?

There are often many parties involved, making it tricky to determine who is liable for causing the trucking accident. Some potential options include the trucking company, the manufacturer, the driver, and more.

After my accident with a commercial truck, how do I pay for car repairs?

If the truck driver is responsible for causing the accident, they – or the company that employs them – must be held accountable. In most cases of truck driver negligence, their insurance company will pay for your vehicle repairs and other damages.

How does the insurance company determine who is at-fault after an truck accident?

The insurance company will make its own determination about who caused the accident, using police reports, vehicle damage assessments, witness statements and more. Because the insurance company’s version of events is not always accurate, it is crucial to have a car accident lawyer on your side. Your lawyer will conduct their own investigation to strengthen your auto claim.

How much is my trucking accident claim worth?

How much is my trucking accident claim worth?

Accidents involving large commercial trucks are typically much more severe than car crashes. While there is no specific value assigned to trucking accident claims, these factors influence the amount of compensation you may receive:

Severity of injuries
Property damage
Impact on victim’s earning potential or ability to return to work
Extent of pain and suffering

Are truck drivers fired after being found at fault for a trucking accident?

In most cases, a negligent truck driver will be fired if the accident was mostly their fault and if major damages were incurred.

Wondering if You Were Owed Money From Your Accident?

Are you unsure if you have a case or not? Even if the insurance companies tell you you don’t have a case, if we think that you do, we will fight to make sure you have medical attention and the compensation you deserve.

Our record of results is proof that we’ve fought and won cases that the insurance companies tried to dismiss. Fill out this two-minute form for a free case evaluation.

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