Middletown Truck Accident Attorneys
Large Truck & Commercial Vehicle Accident Claims
Semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, and other large commercial vehicles pose a serious threat to other motorists on the road. When these vehicles are involved in collisions with smaller passenger cars, motorcycles, pickup trucks, and SUVs, the effects are often devastating.
If you or someone you love was involved in an accident with a large truck or commercial vehicle in Connecticut, turn to the team at RisCassi & Davis, P.C. Our truck accident attorneys in Middletown have been fighting for the rights of injured accident victims since 1955 and have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. We frequently handle highly complex and challenging cases and have a track record of successfully holding trucking companies, manufacturers, and other powerful entities accountable for the damages they cause.
Schedule a free consultation today; call (860) 245-2412 or contact us online to get started.
On This Page:
- Truck Accident Statistics
- Causes of Large Truck Accidents
- Determining Liability
- Damages You Can Recover
- Truck Accident Settlements
- How RisCassi & Davis Can Help
How Common Are Truck Accidents?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 5,237 fatal large truck and bus crashes in the United States in 2019 (the latest year for which data are available). This number only represents fatal crashes; tens of thousands of more people are injured in large truck and bus accidents each year.
Crash data from the Connecticut Crash Data Repository (CTCDR) shows that, in 2020, there were 1,553 collisions classified as “Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) qualifying.” More than 4,000 individual people were involved in these crashes, and approximately 20 of these incidents resulted in fatalities.
At RisCassi & Davis, P.C., we believe that one large truck accident is too many. When truck drivers, trucking companies, and other parties are negligent, they can and should be held accountable. Our Middletown truck accident lawyers can help you fight for the fair compensation you are owed if you were injured or if someone you love died in a commercial vehicle accident in Connecticut.
Common Causes of Large Truck Accidents
Just like any other motor vehicle accident, truck accidents frequently result from negligent or wrongful conduct. Sometimes, truck drivers are careless or drive recklessly. Sometimes, trucking companies implement unsafe or illegal practices that put everyone on the road at risk. In still other instances, the negligent or unlawful conduct of manufacturers, construction companies, maintenance crews, and other third parties is to blame.
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Truck driver error or negligence
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Traffic law violations
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Fatigued driving
- Hours-of-service violations
- Failure to conduct background checks
- Failure to discipline truck drivers
- Violations of company policy
- Overloaded trucks
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Insufficient truck maintenance
- Improper truck repairs
- Negligent hiring or supervising practices
- Defective trucks or truck parts
- Defective roadways
- Inadequate road maintenance or repairs
Determining the cause of an accident is important, as it allows our attorneys to identify the liable party. We frequently work alongside accident reconstructionists and other experts who help us evaluate important evidence and build the strongest possible claims on behalf of our clients.
Who Is Liable for a Commercial Truck Accident?
Unlike in standard car accident claims, in which the at-fault motorist is also usually the one liable for the victim’s damages, liability in truck accident cases does not always fall with the person or party who actually caused the collision. This makes these cases much more complex than typical motor vehicle accident claims.
Depending on the specific circumstances of a truck accident, any of the following parties could be partially or wholly liable for the victim’s damages:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company/truck driver’s employer
- The company that owns or leases the truck
- The party responsible for truck maintenance
- The party responsible for truck repairs
- The person or party who loaded the truck’s cargo
- A manufacturer of a defective truck or defective truck part
- A construction company, engineer, or another party responsible for a defective roadway
- Another negligent motorist on the road
The trucking company, its insurance provider, or another liable party may try to argue that you were partially at fault for the crash. While this does not necessarily preclude you from filing a claim (unless they argue that you were more than 50 percent at fault), it could affect your recovery. Under Connecticut’s modified comparative negligence rule, your recovery will be reduced by your at-fault percentage. So, if the trucking company’s insurance provider determines that you were 30 percent at fault, you could only recover up to 70 percent of the amount you are seeking in damages.
Damages for Truck Accident Victims
Truck accidents often result in devastating bodily injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, back injuries, spinal cord injuries, and more. Victims typically face significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges as a result. By filing a personal injury claim, you can seek fair compensation for your losses.
While every case is different, many truck accident victims recover the following types of damages:
- Medical expenses, including future care costs
- Lost income, wages, and employment benefits
- Loss of future earnings and income
- Medications, medical equipment, and related costs
- Home modifications to accommodate disabilities
- In-home assistance and care costs
- Lost or diminished earning ability
- Pain and suffering, including emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life/enjoyment of life
In rare cases, it may be possible to pursue punitive damages. Also known as exemplary damages, punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant for egregious negligence or wanton/willful misconduct.
Our truck accident lawyers in Middletown at RisCassi & Davis, P.C. can help you understand which types of damages you may be entitled to receive, as well as the potential value of your claim, during a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. Reach out to us today to learn more.
Truck Accident Settlements
There is no one-size-fits-all settlement amount for truck accident lawsuits. This is because every case is unique. The actual value of your settlement will depend on several things: the severity of your injuries, what types of damages you have suffered (lost income, inability to return to work, pain and suffering, etc.). The best way to determine what your case may be worth is by speaking with a truck accident lawyer about your case. Our team can help you determine the value of your truck accident settlement and work to ensure you receive fair compensation.
How RisCassi & Davis, P.C. Can Help
Navigating the aftermath of a large truck accident is no easy task. You likely have many considerable physical, emotional, and financial challenges ahead of you—but our firm is here to make the recovery process easier. We bring more than 70 years of experience to our practice, as well as a reputation for aggressive client advocacy and tireless litigation. We can handle every aspect of your case so that you can focus on healing and moving forward with your life.
We offer our legal services on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not owe any legal fees unless we recover a settlement or verdict for you.
Schedule a complimentary consultation today by calling (860) 245-2412 or by reaching us online.
Our Settlements & Verdicts
Recent Case Victories
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$12.6 Million Wrongful Death
Injury and death damages as a result of an explosion at the Kleen Energy plant.
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$11 Million Truck Accident
Collision with commercial delivery truck results in brain injury.
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$9 Million Paralyzed Worker
$9,000,000 settlement for a paralyzed construction worker.
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$8.1 Million Medical Malpractice
Improperly performed biopsy lead to wrongful death.
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$7.5 Million Automobile Accident
Nursing student who was rendered a paraplegic as the result of a motor vehicle accident.
