New Bern Truck Accident Lawyer

The picturesque landscape of New Bern and Craven County draws a wide variety of drivers to the area, sharing the highway with large commercial vehicles. This combination can, unfortunately, lead to serious accidents caused by negligent drivers or external parties, leaving victims with devastating injuries and overwhelming medical expenses. If this sounds like your story or the story of someone close to you, seek help from a New Bern truck accident lawyer familiar with the local conditions, relevant laws, and ways toward justice.

The attorneys at Ricci Law Firm, P.A. bring together over 60 years of collective experience handling North Carolina truck collision cases. We begin by offering a complimentary consultation, allowing you to ask your pressing questions while we evaluate the merits of your claim and outline a personalized legal strategy. Contact your New Bern personal injury lawyer today to discuss your situation and discover how we can help.

Common Types of Truck Accidents in North Carolina

If you have been involved in a semi-truck accident in Greenville, NC, understanding what caused it is a critical first step toward building a strong case and recovering the compensation you need to move forward. Our experienced truck accident attorneys are well-versed in the numerous ways these complex collisions can occur. We take the time to thoroughly investigate the specifics of your accident to accurately determine who is responsible. We handle a wide range of truck accident types, each presenting unique challenges:

Jackknife incidents occur when a trailer violently swings into the cab, often due to sudden braking or slick roads, leading to potentially massive multi-vehicle crashes.
Underride collisions are perilous scenarios in which smaller vehicles become trapped beneath a truck’s trailer, frequently resulting in catastrophic or fatal injuries. We scrutinize the presence and adequacy of underride guards and the driver’s evasive actions.
Lost cargo accidents are caused by unsecured freight shifting or falling from a truck, creating immediate road hazards. Our team investigates cargo securement protocols and adherence to federal regulations.
Highway crashes are high-impact collisions on thoroughfares like I-85 that often inflict severe trauma. We analyze speed, following distances, and environmental factors.
Fatigued driving accidents stem from truck driver exhaustion, a significant risk due to demanding schedules. We examine driver logs and company fatigue management policies.
Wide turn accidents occur when a truck’s extensive turning radius creates blind spots and dangers for nearby vehicles, especially in urban settings. We evaluate the driver’s turning techniques and precautions.
Blind spot accidents result from truck drivers’ inability to see vehicles in their significant blind spots. We assess whether proper blind spot checks and signaling were performed.
Tire failure accidents involve loss of control due to sudden tire blowouts, often leading to serious incidents. We review tire maintenance records and potential manufacturing defects.
Truck rollover accidents are often caused by excessive speed on curves or improperly balanced loads, resulting in substantial damage and injuries. We analyze the truck’s stability and the driver’s handling.
Rear-end collisions are accidents in which a truck fails to maintain a safe distance or is struck from behind. We investigate braking distances and traffic flow.
DUI truck accidents are accidents caused by truck drivers operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which we pursue with the utmost rigor.

Establishing liability in 18-wheeler truck accidents is rarely straightforward. It demands a comprehensive investigation to identify all potentially responsible parties, including the driver, the trucking company, maintenance providers, and cargo loading personnel. Our attorneys conduct in-depth investigations, gathering crucial evidence such as police reports, witness testimonies, and electronic data recorder information. This ensures you receive the complete and fair compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.

Elevated Risks of Highway Collisions on Craven County Roads

Craven County roads, including those around New Bern, are frequently traveled by large commercial trucks due to vital industries like logging, construction, and chemical transport. This constant presence of tractor-trailers creates inherent risks for smaller vehicles. According to the last year of reporting data from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), large commercial trucks – including tractor-trailers, double-pup trucks, and those with three or more axles – were involved in a staggering 7,195 accidents statewide.

When sharing the road in a smaller vehicle, exercising extreme caution and avoiding the extensive blind spots of these massive trucks is crucial for your safety. However, the reality is that many truck accidents are not the fault of smaller vehicle drivers. Often, the negligence of the truck driver, their employing trucking company, or other responsible parties directly leads to injuries. Given that a fully loaded big rig truck or semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and stretch 80 feet long, the potential for catastrophic injury like Loss of limbs or wrongful death in a collision is significantly elevated.

Even everyday commutes and errands within New Bern can be perilous. U.S. Highway 70 is a major concern with dangerous intersections at Williams Road (due to crossing difficulties and frequent accidents, possibly worsened by removed turn lanes), Thurman Road (due to poor sight distance), and Airport Road (due to long light timing), according to the Sun Journal. Craven County also identifies Highways 24, 258, 17, and 53 as hazardous. Within New Bern, the South Glenburnie Road and Elizabeth Avenue intersection was the site of a recent fatal accident.

Predominant Causes of Truck Accidents in New Bern

Unfortunately, most semi-truck accidents stem from human error or negligence, highlighting a breakdown in the chain of responsibility. Whether it is a lapse in judgment by the driver, a mistake by the maintenance crew, inadequate inspections, faulty repairs by mechanics, improper cargo loading, or even defects in manufactured parts, someone’s oversight or carelessness ultimately compromises safety. When this failure to prioritize the well-being of others results in your injuries, it becomes the crucial task of your truck accident lawyer to uncover the specific cause meticulously.

At Ricci Law Firm, we frequently encounter several recurring factors in tractor-trailer crashes within Craven County:

Driver fatigue leading to loss of focus
Impaired driving due to alcohol or drugs
Improperly balanced or secured cargo causing instability
Neglected mechanical issues with critical systems like brakes and steering
Inadequate driver training provided by the trucking company
Negligence by road maintenance crews in addressing hazards like debris or slippery conditions
Reckless actions by other motorists, forcing evasive maneuvers by the truck driver

Determining fault in truck accidents often extends beyond simply pointing to the driver. This complexity underscores the importance of partnering with a reputable and thorough New Bern truck accident attorney near you who will diligently investigate all potential contributing factors and identify every liable party. By pursuing all avenues of responsibility, your personal injury lawyer works to ensure that all those whose negligence contributed to your injuries are held accountable and provide the compensation you deserve.

Determining Liability in New Bern, NC Truck Accidents

Determining responsibility in New Bern tractor-trailer accidents is crucial for obtaining just compensation for injuries and losses. While the truck driver’s conduct is central, liability can involve several parties beyond just the driver. It is a common misconception that the police report’s fault assessment is the final word; however, trucking regulations and corporate responsibility often reveal a more intricate situation.

Our experienced commercial truck accident lawyers conduct thorough investigations to uncover evidence often unavailable to individuals. This includes scrutinizing driver records (medical history, Hours-of-service (HOS) logs, and drug/alcohol tests) to identify regulatory violations or impairment. We analyze the event data recorder (EDR), the truck’s “black box,” for key pre-collision information like speed and braking. Maintenance records are examined for mechanical failures (e.g., brake defects, tire blowouts) that may have contributed to the crash. We also evaluate the trucking company’s hiring, training, and safety procedures to ensure compliance with industry standards and investigate cargo loading and securement to determine if improperly loaded freight caused the accident.

To build a strong case, our truck accident attorneys collaborate with accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, and industry experts to provide compelling testimony and analysis. Through this comprehensive gathering of valuable pieces of evidence, we develop a clear understanding of the accident’s causes and identify all potentially liable parties.

Determining Your Potential Case Value

A key concern for anyone involved in a New Bern truck accident is understanding the potential compensation they can recover. When you speak with us, the question of what a case is worth arises often. If you are dealing with significant injuries and a prolonged recovery, covering your medical bills is undoubtedly a priority. Still, North Carolina law permits you to pursue various other damages from those responsible for the accident. These fall into two main categories: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are your direct financial losses resulting from the truck accident. This includes the total cost of your medical treatment, such as surgeries, intensive care, emergency room visits, and ongoing rehabilitation. It also encompasses the expense of your medications, travel to medical appointments, and necessary in-home nursing care. Additionally, economic damages can cover the costs of home modifications to aid your recovery, the wages you have lost while unable to work, and any future loss of earning capacity if you have suffered a permanent disability. Finally, you can also seek compensation for the cost of essential home services you now require, like cooking, cleaning, home upkeep, and yard work.

Non-economic damages address the more personal and less easily quantifiable ways your life has been affected. Your truck accident lawyer will utilize specific calculations to assess the impact of these losses. You can seek compensation for your physical pain and emotional suffering, the diminished enjoyment of your life, any permanent disabilities you now face, and the loss of companionship or consortium with your spouse or partner. While each truck accident case is unique, your attorney has the experience and knowledge to help you determine the value of these compensatory damages and gather the evidence needed to support your demands for fair compensation.

The Potential for Punitive Damages

In cases involving exceptionally severe injuries resulting from a truck accident, your legal team may pursue punitive damages by presenting clear and convincing evidence demonstrating that the defendant acted with a willful, wanton, or fraudulent disregard for the safety of others. Punitive damages are not intended to compensate the injured party for their losses (that is the role of compensatory damages), but rather to punish the defendant’s egregious conduct and deter similar behavior in the future.

Under North Carolina law, punitive damages are subject to limitations. This legal framework aims to balance the need to penalize truly reckless or malicious behavior with a degree of predictability in damage awards. Your truck accident attorney will meticulously investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident to determine if the defendant’s actions rise to the level required to pursue punitive damages.

Understanding North Carolina Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Victims

Do not let insurance company assurances of a simple process fool you after your truck accident. Prompt action is key to protecting your claim. In reality, you will likely face a demanding process of proving the other party’s negligence, and insurers are often motivated to deny or minimize your settlement. At Ricci Law Firm, our experienced truck accident attorneys in New Bern are prepared to negotiate for the full compensation you deserve, and we will not hesitate to file a personal injury lawsuit to achieve a just outcome.

Insurance company delays can inadvertently cost you valuable time to pursue legal action. North Carolina statute of limitations provides only a three-year window to file a lawsuit after an injury. During negotiations, we will initiate the necessary legal paperwork to safeguard your claim and encourage a serious settlement offer. However, waiting too long to reach out to our firm can severely impede our ability to gather crucial evidence and build the strong case needed to secure your rightful compensation.

Remember, there’s no cost or obligation to speak with us and get your questions answered before you decide to work with Ricci Law Firm. By contacting us as soon as possible following your 18-wheeler truck accident, you empower us to effectively advocate for your rights and ensure the responsible parties are held accountable for your injuries. Delaying could mean losing your opportunity for justice.

Call Ricci Law After a Truck Accident in New Bern, NC

When you are injured in a truck accident due to someone else’s negligence, Ricci Law Firm is here for you. Our experienced truck accident lawyer team is committed to fighting for you and working toward the best possible settlement on your behalf. By managing the often-daunting interactions with insurance companies and the legal complexities of dealing with large trucking corporations, we aim to provide you with the space and support you need to heal. To arrange a free, no-risk consultation, contact us today.