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    How are commercial truck accidents different from other auto accidents?

    One obvious difference in trucking accidents versus other auto wrecks are the types of injuries involved. Due to their large size and weight, accidents with commercial trucks typically cause more severe injuries than other types of auto accidents which might include brain or spine injuries, broken bones, amputations, burns, other catastrophic injuries, or even death. In addition to the severity of injuries, a tractor-trailer accident can be much more complex than a wreck involving another car. Commercial trucking companies and drivers are governed by federal laws that could affect liability in these cases. Sometimes determining who is at fault in a semi-truck collision is not as straight-forward as it is in a typical car accident. Also, in most cases, owners and operators of commercial trucks are required to have a minimum amount of liability insurance—usually a commercial policy—that provides better coverage for injured parties as opposed to ordinary automobile accidents. If you have been injured in a trucking collision, don’t try to navigate these complex issues on your own. Let semi wreck lawyer Flora Templeton Stuart help you get the compensation you deserve in your truck injury case.

    What is a commercial truck?

    Commercial trucks are in the business of transporting merchandise. These trucks include tractor-trailers, dump trucks, delivery vehicles, semi-trucks, big-rigs, 18-wheelers, and most large freight trucks.

    What should I do if I have been injured by a commercial truck through no fault of my own?

    If you have been injured in a semi accident, seek medical attention immediately. The police should come to the scene of the accident and file a report. If possible, get names and contact information of witnesses and take photos of the vehicles and scene (such as damage to vehicles, skid marks, road signs, or anything that might have contributed to the wreck). This is especially important in commercial truck accidents as trucking companies sometimes work quickly to destroy vital evidence. Get the name, contact information, license number, trucking company name and insurance details from the truck driver. Write down details of the wreck including date, time, location, what happened to cause the accident and other details while they are fresh on your mind. Notify your insurance company of vehicle damage and injuries you sustained. Do not discuss the accident with the at-fault party’s insurance company before consulting with a semi wreck attorney.

    I am injured and can’t travel, will you meet me at my home or another location?

    If you have been injured in a trucking accident and can’t come to us, we will meet you at your home, in the hospital, or another location that is convenient for you. We have offices in Glasgow and Bowling Green, Kentucky, but we travel throughout Kentucky and Tennessee to meet with our injured clients. If you have been injured in a big-rig collision, call semi-truck wreck lawyer Flora Templeton Stuart at (888) 782-9090 twenty-four hours a day/seven days a week.

    What are common causes of commercial truck accidents?

    Common causes for commercial truck and tractor-trailer wrecks include inadequate driver training, driver fatigue, speeding, mechanical failure or safety issues, distracted driving, inherent limitations and capabilities of the vehicle (such as limited visibility, acceleration, and braking distances), improper loading or overloading, or driver impairment due to drugs and alcohol.

    Who is at fault in a trucking accident injury case?

    Determining who is at fault in a tractor-trailer collision can be a complicated process. We will investigate to determine all of the responsible parties in your semi wreck case which could include: truck manufacturer, leasor (the company who leased the truck), owner of the truck and/or trailer, truck driver, trucking company, owner of the cargo, maintenance company, or truck loader. The trucking company could also be held responsible as an employer or in negligently supervising, training, and/or hiring the truck driver. If you have been injured in a semi accident, contact us for a free case evaluation.

    How do trucking laws affect my big-rig wreck case?

    In addition to complying with state traffic laws like all other drivers, commercial trucks and drivers are heavily regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA regulations are designed to promote highway safety and reduce truck wrecks by addressing driver licensing, insurance coverage, drug and alcohol use, vehicle maintenance, maximum load restrictions, and driver rest requirements among other topics. Unfortunately, these regulations are sometimes overlooked or completely disregarded by trucking companies or drivers—putting other drivers at risk. If you have been injured by a semi-truck or other commercial vehicle, protect your rights by hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer. Our semi accident attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case to make sure all FMCSA regulations were followed by the trucking company and driver.

    What if the truck driver fell asleep at the wheel?

    Commercial truck drivers, under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation, must limit driving hours. If you suspect the truck diver fell asleep at the wheel, it is important to hire a semi-truck wreck attorney to investigate to determine if the regulations were followed—and to determine who is at fault if they were not.

    What compensation is available in a semi wreck injury case?

    In trucking injury cases, multiple parties could be held liable for your injuries. An experienced truck wreck attorney can help you find all the negligent parties and seek full compensation for your injuries. In any commercial truck collision injury case, your recovery should take into account the immediate needs of you and your family as well as all future expenses including medical bills, rehabilitation or therapy, lost earning capacity, and long-term care, if needed. Victims may also be entitled to seek punitive damages, pain and suffering, and other compensation against the at-fault parties. In some cases, the victim’s family can seek restitution for loss of consortium (companionship) or a wrongful death claim if the injuries lead to the passing of their loved one. Contact us 24/7 if you are the victim of a semi-injury.

    Who will pay my medical bills and lost wages after a commercial truck accident?

    In Kentucky, there should be coverage on the vehicle you were in during the accident called Personal Injury Protection (PIP). This insurance pays for the first $10,000 of your medical bills and lost wages. At our law firm, we reserve PIP to be used by our clients’ treating physicians. We recommend increasing PIP from $10,000 to $50,000 for better coverage in case of a catastrophic accident. If your accident-related expenses exceed that amount – as they frequently do in semi-truck wreck cases – you need an experienced personal injury attorney to find all the policies that may apply to your claim so you can focus on your recovery.

    How long do I have to file suit after a commercial truck or big-rig accident?

    In Kentucky, you generally have two years to file suit after a commercial truck accident or two years from the last date of payment from PIP (no-fault) benefits. If the accident involved a fatality, the statute is generally only 1 year to file suit on behalf of the victim’s estate and family. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a big-rig collision, we urge you to contact our semi accident lawyers immediately so we can take photos of the truck and scene. If you wait, the evidence could be destroyed. Don’t miss your chance to get the compensation you deserve for your semi-truck injury case. Call us at (888) 782-9090 to speak to a truck accident attorney today!

    Why should I hire a lawyer for my semi collision injury claim?

    If you have been injured by an 18-wheeler or other commercial truck, having an experienced trucking accident attorney on your side is crucial to getting the compensation you deserve. Trucking companies want to pay out as little as possible to accident victims so they hire attorneys and experts to fight injury claims. Don’t let a trucking company deny you the benefits you deserve – let an experienced semi-truck accident lawyer help you get the compensation you are entitled to for your injuries.

    Common things a semi wreck injury lawyer looks for include:

    • Was the driver properly trained and licensed?
    • Was the driver suffering from fatigue or rushing to make a deadline?
    • Has the driver been involved in other accidents?
    • Was the driver distracted by cell phone or texting?
    • When did the driver last have a rest period?
    • Was the driver using drugs or alcohol?
    • When was the last safety inspection performed?
    • Has the trucking company been cited for violations in the past?
    • Were the truck and trailer functioning properly?
    • Was the trailer loaded properly?

    The insurance company has made an offer for my trucking wreck injury. Should I accept it?

    After a commercial truck accident, the insurance company may be quick to offer you a settlement. Even though it may sound enticing, never accept any payment from the insurance company before consulting with a truck wreck lawyer – especially if you or your loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury. If you accept compensation now, you may be giving up your right to file additional claims in the future. Only an experienced attorney can help you determine the full value of your case in terms of past, present, and future medical bills, past and future lost income, and additional losses for you and your family. Call trucking accident lawyer Flora Templeton Stuart immediately to investigate your claim to ensure you get all the compensation you are entitled to.

    How do I pay for an attorney in a semi accident injury case?

    The Law Firm of Flora Templeton Stuart works on a contingency fee basis. That means we only get paid if you get paid in your truck wreck injury case. Call Warren and Barren County, Kentucky semi-truck accident attorney Flora Templeton Stuart at (888) 782-9090 for a free initial consultation twenty-four hours a day/seven days a week.

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      What Our Clients Say

      "My son and I were hit by a semi in Hopkinsville, KY. I had used Flora in the past and we called them immediately. We met at our home in Elkton ad today we finalized our cases. I am thrilled to say I am paying off my house and my son is picking out a new car!!! Thanks, Flora for everything :)."
      Tracy Heaton (Hopkinsville, KY)
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