Truck Accident Attorney

Serving Truck Accident Victims Nationwide

At CR Legal Team, we have experienced trucking attorneys who are ready, willing, and able to defend victims of truck and commercial vehicle crashes. Four of our attorneys represent the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, the Trucking Litigation Practice Group of American Association for Justice, the Board Certification in Truck Accident Law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums. Two members of our legal team additionally hold Class A Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs).

Let our skilled truck accident lawyers ensure you obtain the compensation you deserve. Call (866) 691-0607 or fill out our online contact form today to schedule a free initial consultation.

What to Do After a Truck Accident

You’ve been involved in a truck accident. What should you do next? The steps you take now may have a direct impact on your ability to recover compensation for your injuries. They may also affect your health and well-being. CR Legal Team is here to offer guidance in your time of need.

After an accident, we strongly recommend that you seek medical attention and call an attorney – in that order.

However, if you’re looking for insight into the best steps to take after a truck accident, we’ve provided the following tips:

• Remain at the scene. You are required to remain at the scene of a traffic accident that has caused injury or property damage to exchange information with the other party or parties involved, unless you are in need of emergency medical care.
• Call 911. If the accident is blocking traffic or someone has been seriously injured, call 911 to alert the authorities and seek help.
• Seek medical attention. Go to the emergency room or see a doctor immediately after the accident, even if you feel you were not seriously injured. Some physical trauma, like whiplash or head injuries, may not be immediately apparent but will require treatment to lessen the chances of permanent damage. Seek medical care and inform the doctor that you were involved in a truck accident so he or she knows what type of injuries to look for.
• Collect information and keep records. If possible, take pictures at the scene. Take pictures of your vehicle, the truck, your injuries, and your clothing. Get the contact information of any witnesses, the truck driver, the trucking company, and emergency personnel. Keep detailed records of any medical treatment you receive.
• Do not admit fault. Do not apologize to the truck driver or to anyone else at the scene. Do not say or do anything that may be misconstrued as an admission of fault, as this could affect your ability to recover compensation in the future.
• Call a lawyer. If you were seriously injured, it is important to involve a lawyer who is experienced with truck accident claims. He or she can stand up for your rights and handle your claim so you can focus on healing.

Common Types of Truck Accidents

A truck accident refers to any collision or incident involving a large commercial truck, such as a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler, or delivery truck, and another vehicle, pedestrian, or object. Due to the size and weight of commercial trucks—often weighing up to 80,000 pounds—these accidents can be far more destructive than regular car accidents, frequently resulting in serious injuries, fatalities, and significant property damage.

Truck accidents can happen on highways, city streets, loading docks, or construction zones, and they often involve complex legal and insurance issues due to multiple parties being involved (e.g., the truck driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, or manufacturers).

Here are the most common types of truck accidents:

• Jackknife Accidents: Occur when a truck’s trailer swings out at an angle from the cab, forming a "V" shape. This often happens when the driver brakes suddenly, causing a loss of control.
• Rear-End Collisions: These happen when a truck crashes into the vehicle in front of it. Due to their weight, trucks need more time to stop, making rear-end crashes particularly dangerous.
• Underride Accidents: Occur when a smaller vehicle slides under the rear or side of a truck, often resulting in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
• Rollover Accidents: A truck may tip over onto its side due to sharp turns, unbalanced cargo, or speeding—posing a risk to nearby drivers and pedestrians.
• Head-On Collisions: These happen when a truck crashes directly into another vehicle coming from the opposite direction. Head-on crashes are often fatal.
• Blind Spot Accidents (No-Zone Accidents): Large trucks have substantial blind spots. When a truck changes lanes without seeing a car in these blind zones, it can cause a collision.
• T-Bone or Side-Impact Collisions: These occur when the front of a truck hits the side of another vehicle, often at intersections when one driver fails to yield or runs a red light.
• Wide Turn Accidents: Trucks making wide right turns may trap or crush vehicles caught between the trailer and the curb.
• Lost Load Accidents: Improperly secured or overloaded cargo can fall onto the road, leading to multi-vehicle accidents or damage.
• Tire Blowouts: A sudden tire failure can cause a truck driver to lose control or debris to fly into the path of other vehicles.
• Brake Failure Accidents: Malfunctioning or poorly maintained brakes can prevent a truck from stopping in time, leading to high-speed impacts.
• Construction Zone Accidents: Navigating tight, hazardous construction zones can increase the risk of crashes involving trucks and workers or other vehicles.

Federal Trucking Laws

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the U.S. agency responsible for regulating and providing safety oversight of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), including large trucks and buses. FMCSA regulations are designed to improve road safety, reduce crashes, and ensure drivers and motor carriers follow consistent standards.

Here’s a breakdown of the key FMCSA trucking regulations:

• Hours of Service (HOS): Truck drivers can drive for a maximum of 11 hours after taking 10 consecutive hours off duty. They must complete their driving within a 14-hour work window. After 8 hours of driving, a 30-minute break is required, and there are weekly driving limits of 60 or 70 hours depending on the schedule.
• Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): Drivers must use Electronic Logging Devices to track their driving hours and rest periods. These devices automatically record driving time to ensure compliance with Hours of Service rules. ELDs help reduce falsified logs and improve road safety.
• Driver Qualifications: Commercial drivers must be at least 21 years old to drive across state lines and must hold a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). They must also pass a medical exam every two years to prove they’re physically fit to drive. Employers are required to check their driving history and qualifications regularly.
• Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection: Drivers must inspect their vehicles daily to check for safety issues like faulty brakes or tires. Carriers are responsible for keeping trucks in safe working order through regular maintenance. All inspections and repairs must be documented and available for review.
• Controlled Substances and Alcohol Testing: Truck drivers must pass drug and alcohol tests before being hired and are subject to random and post-accident testing. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is strictly prohibited. A driver cannot consume alcohol within 8 hours of operating a commercial vehicle.
• Weight and Size Regulations: Trucks must stay within federal weight limits, typically not exceeding 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. There are also height and width limits, generally around 13.5–14 feet tall and 8.5 feet wide. States may have slightly different rules, but trucks must comply with whichever standard is stricter.
• Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) Program: The FMCSA monitors carriers using a scoring system that tracks safety performance across categories like unsafe driving, vehicle maintenance, and crash history. Higher CSA scores mean more inspections and potential penalties. Carriers with poor records may face fines or even be shut down.
• Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Regulations: Drivers transporting hazardous materials must receive special training and have a HAZMAT endorsement on their CDL. The cargo must be labeled, packaged, and handled according to strict federal guidelines. Carriers must also have emergency plans in case of a spill or accident.
• Insurance Requirements: Trucking companies must carry liability insurance to cover damages from accidents. The required coverage depends on the type of cargo—ranging from $300,000 to $5 million. This ensures that victims of trucking accidents can be compensated for injuries and property damage.

Who Could Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?

If you were involved in a truck accident, the following parties may be liable:

• The driver or operator of the truck
• The owner of the truck
• The company or person that leased the truck from the owner
• The trucking company
• The manufacturer of the truck or its parts
• The shipping or loading company that put the cargo on the truck

People who share the road with large trucks could also be responsible, such as drivers, motorcyclists, pedestrians, or cyclists. In some cases, government entities or contractors that are responsible for road maintenance may be held liable if a dangerous or defective road caused the truck accident.

Compensation from a Truck Accident Claim

In a truck accident claim, injured victims may be entitled to various forms of compensation (also called "damages"). These are generally divided into economic, non-economic, and in some cases, punitive damages:

Economic damages cover actual financial losses resulting from the accident. Common examples include:

• Medical Expenses: Costs for emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, prescription medications, and future medical treatment.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for time missed from work due to injuries.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries affect your ability to work in the future, you may be compensated for reduced income potential.
• Property Damage: Repair or replacement of your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the crash.
• Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Includes travel for medical treatment, household help, or home modifications.

Non-economic damages compensate for losses that don’t have a direct financial value but significantly impact your life:

• Pain and Suffering: Physical discomfort and emotional distress caused by the accident and injuries.
• Mental Anguish: Includes anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other emotional effects.
• Loss of Consortium: Compensation for loss of companionship or affection suffered by a spouse or family member.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the injuries prevent you from engaging in hobbies or activities you once enjoyed.

In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the at-fault party for gross negligence or intentional misconduct (e.g., a truck driver was intoxicated or the company ignored known safety violations). These are meant to deter similar behavior in the future and are awarded on top of compensatory damages.

How We Can Help

While it may seem impossible to face Goliath, having CR Legal Team on your side can give you a great chance to secure the financial compensation and justice you deserve. You don’t have to go at it alone. With us, you'll have a seasoned truck accident lawyer in your corner.

Listed below are just some of the ways we can help victims of trucking accidents:

• Determining the full, fair value of your truck accident claim: It is important to determine exactly what your claim is worth, by taking into consideration your current and future financial losses. These may include medical care, property damage, lost earnings, and emotional trauma. We will consider every possibility so that we can properly value your claim.
• Investigating the cause of your accident to assign liability: Accident reconstruction and a thorough investigation by our in-house private investigators will allow us to determine what caused your truck accident and therefore who should be held legally responsible.
• Filing your insurance claim: We will send the insurance company a demand letter, requesting the amount of financial compensation we believe your case is worth. We will work closely with you to make sure you agree with the amount and that it is in your best interests.
• Negotiating with the insurance provider to seek a fair settlement: If the trucking company’s insurance provider sends a counteroffer, we will review it to see if it is fair. If the counteroffer is not fair, we will negotiate as necessary to seek the best possible settlement on your behalf.

CR Legal Team is here to Stand Up For You and to provide the steadfast legal support you need and deserve for Trucking Crashes or Collisions. Contact us onlineor by calling (866) 691-0607today!