New Haven Truck Accident Lawyer

New Haven Truck Accident Attorney

Motorized vehicle accidents are one of the most terrifying things an individual can experience in their lifetime. When one of the involved vehicles is a commercial truck, catastrophic injuries and even fatalities can occur. Though these vehicles are an integral part of our state and national economy, due to their sheer size and weight, they pose a large risk to anyone venturing out onto the roadway. A New Haven truck accident lawyer can provide you with legal support.

At Sorrentino Legal, our personal injury attorney has been assisting clients facing a wide range of personal injury claims for almost a decade. If you have been injured or suffered damage in a truck accident caused by negligence, recklessness, or wrongful intention, Sorrentino Legal is here to help. Our legal team is here to align ourselves with your goals and desires for compensation and do everything in our power to ensure you receive the maximum amount of compensation available.

Truck accident claims can be extremely difficult when it comes to deciphering what party can be held liable. Thankfully, Sorrentino Legal has the experience necessary to review your trucking accident case. We can offer you the reassurance that comes with knowing you have the right legal representation on your side and are prepared to handle all legalities in your case so you can focus on what is most important: your own rest and recovery.

Common Causes of Trucking Accidents in New Haven, CT

While there are some trucking accidents that are simply just that, an accident, other situations can occur as the direct result of negligence or recklessness on the part of the truck driver or the company they are employed by.

At Sorrentino Legal, we can thoroughly review every aspect of your accident to determine how the accident occurred and who might be held liable. The most common causes of trucking accidents in New Haven, Connecticut, include the following:

• Drunk driving. In the state of Connecticut, it is illegal to operate a commercial truck with a blood alcohol content level, or BAC, of 04% or higher. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and even some prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications, can cause a driver to have a shorter reaction time and impaired judgment, which can lead to horrific accidents and even death.
• Driver fatigue. Trucking companies have dispatch employees who are in charge of knowing when a truck driver has logged an excess number of miles and may be driving fatigued. Trucking companies are required under federal law to ensure their drivers take necessary rest breaks in order to prevent fatigue and possible accidents. When these companies are negligent, tired drivers can lose control of their trucks and cause accidents.
• Negligent hiring. When a trucking company hires an inexperienced driver, a driver with a poor driving record, or an individual who has a lack of truck driving training, this can cause accidents to occur, and the trucking company can be held liable for the accident you have suffered as a result of negligent driving.
• Negligent loading. In the trucking industry, commercial trucks have certain requirements for weight that must be strictly followed. Overloaded trucks present more of a challenge to stop because of their extreme weight, and this can make it easier for a rollover accident to occur when the weight of a truck is not properly or evenly distributed.
• Negligent maintenance. On a commercial vehicle, all tires, braking systems, and lights must be monitored carefully and replaced when the need arises. Other parts of the truck and certain safety devices must be adequately checked and maintained in order to ensure that the truck is operating at a safe level. When these maintenance and safety checks are ignored, these circumstances can cause devastating accidents.

Kinds of Truck Accidents

There are several different kinds of trucking accidents in New Haven, Connecticut, all of which can cause injuries and even death. The most common kinds of trucking accidents include the following:

• Jackknife accidents. This kind of accident occurs when a large commercial trucking rig folds in on itself, and the cab forms a 90-degree angle with the trailer. This is usually caused by instances where the driver brakes too quickly and too harshly. These kinds of accidents can take out any vehicle near the truck and can block off areas of the roadway.
• Rollover accidents. These accidents can occur when a driver loses control of their vehicle due to speeding, taking turns too sharply, or hydroplaning. In these scenarios, a truck can slide and roll over onto its roof or side and can take out other vehicles with it as it rolls. This can usually result in crushing injuries, fires, and even explosions, depending on what kind of cargo is loaded on the commercial rig.
• T-bone accidents. These accidents can be caused when a vehicle collides with the side of another and typically happen at intersections. T-bone accidents happen when the truck driver runs a red light or stop sign and impacts the sides of other vehicles near them at a perpendicular angle. These are some of the most devastating accidents, especially when the truck makes an impact on the side of the vehicle where an individual is sitting.
• Underride accidents. This occurs when the commercial truck brakes or stops suddenly, causing the smaller vehicle behind it to become trapped underneath the trailer of the truck. These accidents almost always result in serious injuries for the driver of the smaller vehicle and often result in a fatality.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Trucking Accident?

There are several parties who can be held liable in a trucking accident in New Haven, Connecticut. This is one of the many reasons why hiring a truck accident lawyer can prove to be so essential, as they can review the details of your case and determine who the liable party, or parties, can be. While most cases will result in the truck driver being the negligent party, there are other entities who can be involved, including the following:

• Truck companies. The commercial trucking company can be held liable for a truck accident if it is determined that their negligencewas the cause of the accident, such as not conducting an adequate background check or failing to properly train their driver.
• In certain cases, a faulty or malfunctioning truck part, such as the truck’s braking system, can cause an accident to occur. In these cases, the truck manufacturer can be held liable for the accident. This is often how product recalls occur.
• Loaders of cargo. When cargo is improperly loaded or not secured on a rig, and the cargo is the cause of the accident, the cargo company or loaders can be held liable for damages. Some commercial trucks can have issues if they are unbalanced, or cargo can come unsecured from the rig and strike vehicles around them, causing accidents.

FAQs

Speak to a Trusted New Haven Truck Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a commercial truck, it is vital that you seek legal support and guidance as soon as you can. At Sorrentino Legal, our experienced truck accident lawyer is here to pursue the compensation you deserve and allow you to focus on your rest and healing. With the guidance of our legal team, you can have the confidence knowing that your rights are being protected and upheld.

To schedule your initial consultation with Sorrentino Legal, call our office.