Experienced Truck Accident Attorney in the New Bern, NC Area
While we rely on commercial trucks to deliver goods both locally and nationally, the trucking companies are often more concerned with their bottom line than with safety, leading to accidents. If you have been injured or have lost a loved one due to a commercial truck accident, contact a truck accident attorney in New Bern, NC as soon as possible. Taking action to secure representation can help you get a more favorable outcome in a shorter time while ensuring you have a knowledgeable advocate acting on your behalf. Attorney Harry H. Albritton, Jr. with Irons & Irons P.A., has both experience and passion regarding taking on the trucking companies and is dedicated to getting accident victims the compensation they deserve.
The Truth about Truck Accidents
Commercial truck accidents, including 18-wheelers and even local delivery trucks, are common and thousands of people each year are injured. According to an IIHS report in 2018,
- 4,136 people died in large truck accidents in 2017;
- 67 percent of the victims were in passenger vehicles or cars, 15 percent were motorcyclists or bicyclists or pedestrians. In these crashes, 16 percent of truck drivers died.
- The rate of fatal accidents involving truck drivers are increasing. There was a 31 percent rise in deaths in 2018 compared to 2009.
Why are truck accidents on the rise? According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, commercial truck accidents are usually the result of either avoidable vehicle errors, including poor maintenance, improper bed loading, or defective parts or driver error, including:
- Distracted driving, like texting or using GPS;
- Fatigue or lack of rest or breaks;
- Driving while intoxicated;
- Aggressive or reckless driving;
- Lack of training or experience in driving a truck;
Truck Accident Liability
If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a semi-truck, tractor trailer, 18-wheeler or other commercial truck, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim against multiple parties. The owner of the truck or the trucking company is responsible for maintaining vehicles and they are also responsible for ensuring drivers have proper resources and training, and for instilling a safe working environment. If you are seeking compensation for yourself or on behalf of a loved one lost in a truck accidents, responsible parties may include:
- Truck owner
- Driver of the truck
- Trucking company
- Loader of the truck
- The truck designer or designer of one of its parts
- The truck loader
- Property owner where the accident happened and/or a driver in another vehicle
- Truck manufacturer or manufacturer of one of its parts
Because these cases are so complicated, having an experienced truck accident attorney is essential. We can determine who is responsible and who can be held accountable, as well as determine if negligence can be proven. Just as important is making an informed estimate of the value of your case, factoring in medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and in extreme cases, punitive damages. Attorney Albritton will fight to hold trucking companies accountable and secure compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and the pain and suffering you experienced or the loss of a loved one.
North Carolina Truck Accident Claim Statute of Limitations
In North Carolina, the statute of limitations is three years for pursuing damages against a trucking company. The plaintiff has three years to file a claim starting from the date the injury occurred, and in the case of wrongful death, the statute of limitations starts from the date of the death and ends two years thereafter. Securing legal representation quickly is necessary to begin taking action, filing a claim, and making sure you don’t miss out on compensation due to running out of time.
Schedule a Consultation with a Truck Accident Lawyer in New Bern, NC
To learn more about filing a claim or to schedule a consultation, contact us today by calling us at (252) 320-7399 or filling out a contact form below. We are dedicated to recovering compensation for your injuries suffered, and if you do not receive a settlement in your case while working with us, we will not charge you for our services.