Fairfield, Connecticut Truck Accident Attorneys

Lawyers for Injuries in Collisions With Commercial Trucks in Fairfield

Commercial truck accidents can result in catastrophic injuries. When a passenger car collides with an 18-wheeler or another large commercial truck, the occupants of the smaller vehicle are likely to suffer severe consequences. These accidents can leave victims facing extensive medical treatment, long-term disabilities, lost income, and profound changes to their quality of life.

The attorneys at Tremont Sheldon P.C. have extensive experience handling complex truck accident cases in Fairfield and throughout Connecticut. Our team understands the federal and state regulations that govern the trucking industry, and we know how to investigate these crashes thoroughly. We work with accident reconstruction professionals, medical practitioners, and industry consultants to build strong cases that demonstrate how negligence contributed to our clients' injuries. We fight to secure the full compensation that truck accident victims deserve for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

The Problem of Driver Fatigue in the Trucking Industry

Fatigue affecting truck drivers is one of the most significant contributing factors in commercial truck accidents. Truck drivers do not always follow the rules that require them to limit the number of hours they can drive and take regular rest breaks. Pressure from trucking companies to meet tight delivery schedules can lead some drivers to exceed their limits and continue driving even when they are too tired to operate commercial trucks safely.

When truck drivers operate their vehicles while fatigued, their reaction times slow considerably, their judgment becomes impaired, and they may even fall asleep at the wheel. A driver who has been on the road for too many consecutive hours may not be able to respond quickly to changing traffic conditions, unexpected hazards, or emergency situations. The consequences of drowsy driving in a vehicle weighing up to 80,000 pounds can be devastating.

Trucking companies are required to maintain logs of their drivers' hours of service, and these records can provide crucial evidence in accident cases. Our attorneys know how to obtain and analyze these logs and other electronic data to determine whether a driver was operating in violation of federal hours-of-service regulations at the time of a crash.

Maintenance Failures and Equipment Defects

Commercial trucks require regular maintenance to operate safely. When trucking companies fail to properly maintain their vehicles, the results can be catastrophic. Brake failures, tire blowouts, steering system malfunctions, and other mechanical problems can cause drivers to lose control of their trucks, leading to serious accidents.

Commercial vehicle operators are required to conduct pre-trip inspections and maintain their trucks according to specific standards. When maintenance records reveal that a trucking company neglected necessary repairs or failed to conduct required inspections, this evidence can demonstrate that a truck accident was caused by negligence.

Equipment failures can also result from manufacturing defects. In some cases, a component of a truck, such as the braking system, tires, or trailer coupling mechanisms, may be defectively designed or manufactured. When defective parts contribute to an accident, the manufacturer of those components may be held liable in addition to other responsible parties.

Our legal team will conduct thorough investigations to determine whether maintenance failures or equipment defects played a role in causing truck accidents. We work with mechanical engineers and other professionals who can examine a truck and its components to identify any maintenance lapses or defective parts that contributed to the crash.

Dangers of Overloaded and Improperly Secured Cargo

Federal and state regulations provide specific weight limits for commercial trucks, and these limits exist for important safety reasons. Overloaded trucks are more difficult to control, they require longer stopping distances, and they place excessive stress on braking systems and other components. When trucks exceed weight limits, the risk of truck accidents increases substantially.

Cargo that has not been properly secured is another serious hazard that can lead to accidents. Improperly loaded or secured cargo can shift during transport, causing a truck to become unbalanced. This can lead to jackknife accidents, rollovers, or other situations where a truck driver may lose control of their vehicle. In some cases, cargo can fall from a truck onto the roadway, creating hazards for other motorists.

Determining Liability in Truck Accident Cases

One of the most complex aspects of truck accident cases involves identifying all parties who may share legal responsibility for the crash. Unlike other types of car accidents, where liability usually rests with one or two drivers, commercial truck accidents can involve multiple responsible parties.

The truck driver may be liable if their negligent actions, such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving while fatigued, caused a truck accident. However, trucking companies often share responsibility for their drivers' actions. Additionally, trucking companies may be directly liable if they failed to properly train drivers, maintain vehicles, or comply with federal and state safety regulations.

In cases involving equipment failures, the manufacturer of the truck or its components may be held accountable through product liability claims. Cargo loading companies can be liable if they did not load or secure freight correctly. In some situations, a company that leased a truck or third-party maintenance providers may also bear responsibility.

How Our Law Firm Helps Truck Accident Victims

At Tremont Sheldon P.C., we understand that people who have been injured in truck accidents often face overwhelming challenges as they try to recover from their injuries while dealing with insurance companies and complex legal issues. We provide comprehensive support throughout every stage of the legal process.

We will conduct a thorough investigation of an accident, which may include visiting the crash scene, obtaining police reports and witness statements, securing trucking company records, and working with accident reconstruction professionals. This investigation will help us build a clear picture of what happened and who should be held accountable.

Our lawyers will handle all communications with insurance companies on behalf of our clients. Trucking companies and their insurers typically have legal teams working to minimize their liability, and they may attempt to pressure victims into accepting inadequate settlements. We protect our clients from these tactics and negotiate aggressively to secure fair compensation.

When necessary, our attorneys are prepared to take cases to trial. We understand that some trucking companies and insurers will not offer reasonable settlements without the pressure of litigation, and we have the trial experience necessary to present compelling cases to juries.

The compensation available in truck accident cases can include payment for past and future medical expenses, lost income and diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available.

Contact Our Fairfield, CT Truck Accident Lawyers

The legal team at Tremont Sheldon P.C. is ready to help address the injuries and damages that have occurred in a truck accident. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis in personal injury cases, and you will not pay any attorney fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Contact our Fairfield commercial truck accident attorneys at 203-335-5145 to set up your free consultation.