Truck accidents cause trauma when they occur and long after. Family and friends can offer emotional support and medical professionals can help you heal physically. To move toward financial recovery, connect with our Jacksonville NC Truck Accident Lawyer team at Ricci Law Firm P.A. 

A Jacksonville, NC truck accident lawyer from our team will put our collective 150-plus years of experience to work for you. We are committed to fighting for the rights of injury victims by holding those responsible for causing the injuries and resulting losses accountable for damages. Partner with us today and take the first step toward justice.

Truck Accidents in Jacksonville, North Carolina

For the most recent full year of data collection, there were 17,018 truck accidents statewide, according to North Carolina’s 2023 Crash Facts report. Of that number, 176 involved fatalities and 3,802 led to injuries. The report further breaks down statistics for tractor-trailer accidents, showing:

• 6057 total accidents 
• 76 causing fatalities
• 1138 causing injuries 

Onslow County also sees a fair number of serious truck accidents. In the county, of 29 total truck accidents, 3 caused serious injuries and 1 was fatal. The City of Jacksonville saw a total of 1,452 motor-vehicle crashes. Four proved fatal and 569 led to injuries. 

The Most Dangerous Roads in Jacksonville

Truckers often drive their tractor-trailers through Jacksonville using Highways 24, 258, 17, and 53. Unfortunately, these roads have seen their share of accidents. Highways are often heavily trafficked, and as the number of vehicles on them increases, so does the chance of an accident.

A variety of vehicles travel the highways for different reasons. Local traffic often comprises passenger cars, necessarily in a particular rush. Commercial truck drivers are typically “through traffic,” hoping to move through the area as quickly as possible, and the speed differential between the types of vehicles and drivers can increase crash risks. 

Some highways have complicated exit or merge points or curves or hills compounding the challenges that come with operating massive, complex semi-trucks and limiting visibility.

Crucial Steps to Take Following a Truck Accident in Jacksonville, NC

Truck accidents can cause devastating injuries, so the first order of business following a crash is to ensure the safety of all involved. If you cannot move without hurting yourself, then stay still until help arrives. Otherwise, see if others need help and provide whatever assistance you can without causing harm.

Even if no one needs emergency medical care, you should still call law enforcement to the scene to make an official report. While at the scene, take pictures to document:

• The location of the vehicles involved
• Vehicle damage
• Road conditions
• Road marking and traffic signals
• Security and traffic camera locations
• The other involved vehicle’s license plates and other identifying information
• The other driver’s license, insurance, and registration documents
• Any other relevant details

Keep your comments to other parties involved to a minimum. Exchange information, but do not comment on the cause of the accident, say anything that could be construed as or twisted into an admission of fault, or downplay your injuries. Your only injury-related comment should be that you plan to see a doctor.

Why Seeking Medical Attention Is Critical to Protecting the Integrity of Your Claim

See a doctor within hours or a day of the accident. Putting off care could lead to serious consequences:

• You could exacerbate your injuries. You may walk on or use a damaged area, causing further damage that may take longer to heal, or never heal completely.
• You could face life-threatening damage. Injuries to the brain or internal organs do not show symptoms right away. But if not detected and treated quickly, they can become fatal.
• The at-fault party could put the blame for your worsened injuries on you, saying your delay in treatment is the reason for your condition, not the accident.
• The at-fault party could claim you are inflating your injuries, and if they are as severe as you say, would have warranted immediate care.

Once you have assured your medical safety, reach out to the truck accident lawyers at Ricci Law Firm, P.A. right away. We will review your case for free, and once we enter a legal partnership, will take all the stress of your case off your shoulders.

The Importance of Making a Swift Legal Partnership

Connecting with an attorney quickly puts you in the best position to see a successful case outcome. First, it protects your right to sue the at-fault party for damages. In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for filing most personal injury claims is three years. Though many cases settle out of court, filing within the deadline is still a critical step. 

Securing a Fair Settlement Offer

The other side may not make a fair out-of-court offer, and you might have to take your case to court. Further, filing sends a message that you are serious about your claim. That message may prompt the at-fault party’s representatives to negotiate more productively.

Deadline to File a Truck Accident Claim

Failing to file on time puts your case at risk of dismissal. Still, some case circumstances allow for deadline extensions, as established in the  North Carolina General Statutes Article 3, so do not conclude that you have lost your chance for justice without speaking to a tractor-trailer accident attorney from our firm. 

Protect the Critical Evidence You Need to Support Your Claim

Strong cases are built on convincing evidence, and finding that evidence is easier sooner after your accident than later. Physical evidence is more likely to remain intact. Witnesses will have clearer memories of the event. Traffic or security camera and the truck’s “black box” data is less likely to be erased or lost.

With a fast partnership, our team can send preservation letters to relevant parties to protect potential evidence. For example, we may send a letter to the truck company to make sure the black box data is kept safe. This data can provide information about the moments leading up to the accident, such as the truck’s speed, steering, and braking status.

Understanding Negligence in Truck Accident Claims

A truck accident claim can only see a successful outcome if you can prove negligence. A truck accident lawyer from our team will investigate the accident in painstaking detail to find the evidence needed. Proving negligence requires showing:

• The at-fault party owed you a duty of care. A duty of care is a legal obligation to uphold others’ safety, and the relationship between the parties involved determines the degree of duty. Truck drivers, and all drivers, owe others on the road a significant duty of care, and must avoid unsafe driving practices, take care to avoid crashes, and use proactive measures–such as remaining vigilant and following all traffic laws–to operate vehicles safely.
• The at-fault party breached their duty of care. A breach is a failure. A party breaches their duty of care by committing a reckless or careless action, or by failing to take an action that would have kept you safe. Truck drivers could breach their duty by driving under the influence or speeding.
• The breach in duty caused your accident. The at-fault party’s breach, not another circumstance, must be the direct cause of the accident. You must show that the accident would not have happened if not for the at-fault party’s breach of duty.
• The accident cost your quantifiable losses. You must show the dollar value of the losses sustained in the accident. If the losses do not have worth, there is no cause for collecting compensation.

Count on Ricci Law Firm, P.A. to compile the evidence needed to determine the at-fault party and prove their negligence to get you the compensation you deserve.

Who May be At Fault in a Jacksonville Truck Accident

Truck accidents have more layers than accidents involving only privately owned vehicles, specifically when it comes to determining liability. Our experienced tractor-trailer accident lawyers know how to work through those layers to find answers.

Truck Operator

Truck operators must avoid distractions when driving, avoid alcohol or drug use in the hours leading up to and during shifts, and adhere to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) hours-of-service and rest breaks. For truck operators, driver’s fatigue is a danger of the job, and failure to rest can lead to horrific crashes.    

The Trucking Company

Truck companies must maintain their vehicles, train and evaluate their drivers, remove unsafe operators from behind the wheel, and comply with all regulations. Competition is fierce among truck companies who race to fulfill client demands for fast deliveries. Companies violate safety regulations when pressuring truckers to speed, extend hours of active duty, or overload their trucks.

Truck Manufacturers and Mechanics

Defective trucks or malfunctioning parts or systems can cause crashes. Truck manufacturers must produce vehicles that are safe for travel. Inspectors must recognize hazards and take unsafe vehicles out of service. Mechanics must make full, reliable repairs before putting the damaged truck back on the road.

The FMCSA has comprehensive regulations in place, establishing specific responsibilities for all involved in a commercial vehicle’s operation. 

Government Offices

Different government entities are responsible for maintaining roads, ensuring working traffic signals, and keeping roads well lit. Unfixed or unmarked road defects or broken traffic lights can contribute to accidents.

Other drivers can also breach their duty of care and cause a crash. But no matter who is at fault, our tractor-trailer accident attorneys will work diligently to make that identification and hold them accountable for paying your damages. 

North Carolina Laws and Negligence

North Carolina laws increase the stakes in personal injury claims. As the North Carolina Department of Insurance (DOI)  explains, you can only seek compensation if you hold no fault for the accident. When you file against the at-fault party, they may accuse you of contributing to the accident so they can avoid paying damages. Our team will defend against any accusations aggressively, and fight to protect you from unfair blame. 

Our Skilled Truck Accident Attorneys Fight for Maximum Compensation 

Truck accidents often cause severe, even catastrophic, injuries that leave victims with devastating physical, emotional, and financial effects. You can trust your tractor-trailer accident lawyer to fight for maximum compensation to get you the financial justice you need and deserve. The team at Ricci Law Firm, P.A. will:

• Compile and present evidence to prove the at-fault party’s negligence
• Value your losses with precision
• Send a settlement demand to the at-fault party’s representatives 
• Negotiate with those representatives to reach a fair out-of-court resolution
• Represent you at trial should the other side stall negotiations or refuse to make a reasonable offer

Clients often want to know how long a personal injury settlement takes. Settlements typically come faster than trial awards, but timelines are affected by the other side’s willingness to engage in productive negotiations and keep to an efficient schedule. Trials are subject to court schedules and judge availability. Whether negotiating or preparing for trial, your truck accident attorney will work to streamline the process as much as possible and keep you updated every step of the way. 

Just as we cannot guarantee the specific length of your case, we cannot tell you exactly how much compensation you can expect. But we will demand an amount that meets your needs, covers every loss, and secures your financial future. Our results, which include seven-figure truck accidents awards, show our successful case history. 

Reach Out to a Jacksonville, NC Truck Accident Lawyer Near You

You may feel like your life is out of control after a truck accident. Recovering from physical injuries is often a long, painful process. Physical pain can cause depression, and the financial strain incurred by medical costs and income loss only deepens that emotional distress. Ricci Law Firm, P.A. is here to help you get your life back. We will fight to get you back on stable financial ground and facing a more peaceful future. 

You do not have to worry about costs or paying any out-of-pocket fees. We operate on contingency, which means we only get paid after delivering you a settlement or trial award–that’s how confident we are in our ability to bring truck accident cases to a successful outcome. Reach out with a call or a message to schedule a free case consultation. Put your case in our skilled, experienced hands today.