Have You Been Injured In A Truck Accident In Rhode Island?
Last year over four thousand Americans lost their lives due to trucking accidents.
Although advances in truck safety and regulations have made driving less deadly, the number of truck crashes each year continues to rise. Professional truck drivers in Rhode Island are facing more distractions than ever before, whether checking text messages, blasting the radio to stay awake, or eating a quick dinner while navigating traffic. Even hands-free devices and Bluetooth speakers seem to only be used as an excuse to embrace further distractions.
Whether you've been hit by an 18-wheeler, semi-truck, or commercial vehicle, our Providence Truck Accident Lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve.
How Much Compensation Can I Receive for a Truck Accident?
The amount of compensation you may be entitled to after a truck accident depends on various factors unique to your case. Some of the key elements that can impact your potential settlement or award include:
- The severity of your injuries and the cost of medical treatment
- Lost wages due to time away from work during recovery
- Property damage to your vehicle and other personal belongings
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
- The degree of fault attributed to each party involved in the accident
In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded if the truck driver or trucking company engaged in particularly egregious or reckless behavior.
Our experienced attorneys thoroughly evaluate each case to determine the full extent of our clients' damages. We work with medical experts, financial professionals, and other specialists to build a strong case and fight for the maximum compensation possible.
While it is difficult to provide an exact estimate of how much you may receive without reviewing the specific details of your case, truck accident settlements and awards can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the circumstances.
The best way to understand the potential value of your claim is to consult with a knowledgeable truck accident attorney. Contact our law firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation, and let us help you explore your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
It only takes a quick moment of diverted attention or a slowed response due to long hours on the road for a truck driver to miss a light or not notice a car in the other lane.
Driver Fatigue
The most common truck accidents resulting in serious injuries are due to driver fatigue. Truck drivers notoriously spend long hours on the road with very few breaks, and as such, they may have a hard time focusing on the road and suffer from delayed response times.
Lack of Truck Maintenance
Almost equally common are accidents due to a lack of truck maintenance. These accidents frequently involve worn-down brakes or cargo that hasn't been loaded properly. Commercial trucks haul heavy loads long distances and require frequent maintenance and daily inspections. When trucking companies or their drivers fail to perform regular maintenance, severe accidents result.
Impaired Drivers
The most severe truck accidents occur when a truck, often operated by an exhausted or impaired truck driver, drifts into the same lane as oncoming traffic. Head-on truck collisions have the highest rate of fatalities and account for the majority of deadly truck collisions each year, even though they are among the least common types of accidents.
Who Is Responsible for a Truck Accident?
When a truck driver does not halt their vehicle at a Rhode Island red light, or if they let their attention wander and drift into another lane on the highway, they are jeopardizing numerous lives. Other motorists are the most susceptible to serious injury or even death when truck drivers break the law on the road. When they fail to make reasonable efforts to protect themselves and others, they may be guilty of negligence.
Even though everyone has lapses in attention and makes momentary mistakes, there is no excuse for the type of failure that results in broken lives. Insurance companies often pressure trucking accident victims to use their own coverage or settle for a fraction of their actual damages, so many injured victims choose to look for the most experienced truck accident attorney Rhode Island has to offer.
As soon as you seek medical attention for your injuries, you should decide what legal representation you need. Trucking insurance companies hire trained professionals, called adjusters, whose sole duty is to settle your truck accident case for as low a cost as possible.
Types of Commercial Truck Accident Cases We Handle
At Louis W. Grande Injury Lawyer, we represent clients who have been injured in a wide range of accidents involving commercial trucks, fighting tirelessly to secure the compensation they deserve. Some of the most common types of truck accident cases we handle include:
18-Wheeler and Semi-Truck Accidents
Accidents involving 18-wheelers and semi-trucks are among the most severe and devastating due to the immense size and weight of these vehicles. Our law firm has extensive experience in handling cases related to:
- Jackknife accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Underride accidents
- Blind spot accidents
- Accidents caused by improperly loaded or secured cargo
- Accidents resulting from driver fatigue or hours-of-service violations
- Distracted driving accidents
- Accidents caused by inadequate truck maintenance or defective parts
We thoroughly investigate each case to identify all liable parties, including truck drivers, trucking companies, and manufacturers, and work to hold them accountable for their negligence.
Delivery Truck Accidents
Accidents involving delivery trucks, such as those operated by FedEx, UPS, and Amazon, are becoming increasingly common. These accidents may be caused by factors such as:
- Poorly trained or inexperienced drivers
- Pressure to meet tight delivery deadlines
- Overloaded or improperly secured packages
- Failure to properly maintain delivery vehicles
Our attorneys have the knowledge and resources to tackle these cases and fight for the rights of those who have been injured in delivery truck accidents.
Garbage and Dump Truck Accidents
Garbage and dump trucks are large, heavy vehicles that can cause significant damage when involved in accidents. These accidents may occur due to:
- Driver negligence or fatigue
- Improper vehicle maintenance
- Malfunctioning equipment, such as faulty brakes or steering systems
- Overloaded or unsecured waste or debris
We understand the unique challenges posed by garbage and dump truck accident cases and are committed to helping our clients navigate the legal process.
Tanker Truck Accidents
Accidents involving tanker trucks can be particularly dangerous, as these vehicles often transport hazardous materials, such as gasoline, chemicals, or compressed gases. Tanker truck accidents may result from:
- Rollovers due to high centers of gravity
- Leaks or spills of hazardous materials
- Explosions or fires
- Driver error or negligence
When you're up against large trucking companies and their insurance carriers, you need a law firm with proven experience handling commercial truck accident cases.
Our track record speaks for itself - we've recovered millions for truck accident victims throughout Rhode Island. We understand how these cases work, from preserving electronic logging device data to working with accident reconstruction experts. Don't wait to get the legal help you deserve.
Contact our Providence truck accident lawyers today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you get maximum compensation for your injuries.
What Should Truck Accident Victims Do?
While every truck accident is different, the first few minutes after a collision are critical:
- Call law enforcement. Police response to a truck accident provides an independent source of evidence that can be critical in resolving your case. In addition to calling law enforcement to help source evidence, seeking medical assistance for any serious or life-threatening injuries is crucial
- Collect information. Do not allow the truck driver and other parties involved to leave the scene without first getting a full name, phone number, address, and insurance information. If possible, photograph their trucker's insurance card and driver's license and email them to yourself immediately.
- Identify evidence. Take photographs immediately of the damage to your vehicle, the damage to the truck that caused the accident, and the surrounding area. If the accident occurred in an intersection, take photographs showing where your vehicle was before and after the collision. These pictures will help to visually outline the events leading up to and the damage caused by the accident
- Find witnesses. If anyone else saw the accident, get their name, phone number, and address, and email them to yourself immediately. A photograph of an ID can also be helpful, particularly if your attorney needs to compel them to answer.
FAQ: Providence Truck Accident Case
Do I need a lawyer to help me after my truck accident?
While you are not required to hire a lawyer after getting injured in a truck accident, doing so is still in your best interest. An experienced truck accident lawyer will be able to review your case and help you get the compensation you are due.
Who is liable for a truck accident?
Every trucking accident is different, so it depends on the situation who will be held liable. Often, however, the trucking company that hired the driver will be held responsible for any damages (including medical bills, lost wages, etc.) and injuries they cause while driving for them.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a truck wreck?
As with all personal injury cases, there is a statute of limitations for a truck accident lawsuit. In Rhode Island, you have three years after the date of the injury. This is why you should call an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible, so you don't run out of time.
Finding The Best Providence Truck Accident Lawyer
AWARD WINNING INJURY LAWYER
Louis W. Grande is a top-rated, award-winning Providence personal injury lawyer that has helped clients throughout the state of Rhode Island for the last 30+ years recover millions in compensation for personal injury claims. Have you been injured? Call today for a free case evaluation.
Louis is an amazing attorney! He fights hard to get you what you deserve and he doesn’t give in. You couldn’t ask for a better lawyer to represent your interests and I can’t recommend him enough!
– Steve H.
TOP-RATED PROVIDENCE TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER
Louis W. Grande is committed to providing quality legal representation and, above all, personal attention to our client's individual needs. Conveniently located within minutes of downtown Providence on historic Smith Street, there is never a charge for an initial consultation.
With evening and weekend appointments available, when your personal problems call for an experienced Rhode Island Personal Injury Lawyer, our firm is ready to assist you.
- No fee or cost unless we win your case.
- Receive the maximum compensation for your injuries.
- Personalized and professional service.
Before speaking with the truck insurance companies, call our office. We are here to serve you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We aggressively defend the rights of injured people in truck accidents and other personal injuries in Rhode Island. We will keep you updated on the status of your truck accident claim at all times while explaining the process and what you can expect following a truck accident with an injury. We are fully committed to getting the most money we can for you. The time following a truck accident with resulting injuries is stressful, and we are here to offer you our legal support by fighting aggressively to defend your rights. No matter your legal situation, if you suffer an injury due to the negligence of a truck driver, you could be compensated for your injuries.We aim to get you the compensation you and your family deserve to relieve the financial impact of a truck accident or wrongful death claim. Contact me now for help.
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