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Semi Truck Accident Lawyer

Semi-truck accidents are dangerous, life-altering events. The Advocates understand what you're going through and are here to help.

A Truck Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case

Truck crashes can lead to serious injuries or even fatalities, particularly for occupants of passenger vehicles or others outside the commercial truck. After a collision with a large truck, it may feel that your life will never return to normal.

The experienced truck accident lawyers with The Advocates are here for you. We have helped thousands of truck accident victims recover from their accidents, and we can help you too. We will provide you with fierce legal representation and personalized care throughout the entirety of your case.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial truck accident, the personal injury lawyers with The Advocates have your back. We will be by your side every step of the way to ensure your needs are taken care of and help you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

The Next Steps In Your Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, check for injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Treatment

Seek medical attention as soon as you can

Property Damage

Get any property damage assessed and repaired

Finish Treatment

Once you've completed treatment, your case can move forward

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex. Your attorney will build your case, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own.

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability.

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees when you hire The Advocates.
Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. You will not pay us unless we win your case, and you receive a settlement.

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more.
In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action.

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin.
In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.

A Team of Truck Accident Professionals Assigned to Your Case

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you. 
We can help you:

  • Investigate your accident
  • Build your case
  • Negotiate with insurance companies
  • Fight for your settlement in court if necessary

You only pay if we win your case!

Talking to a Professional

Talk to a professional

Truck Accident Statistics

There are 5,000 fatal semi-truck accidents each year

Where do truck deaths occur?

  • Around 5,000 fatal accidents each year involve large trucks or buses
  • In fatal truck accidents, around 82% of deaths are attributed to people outside of the commercial vehicle (occupants of passenger vehicles and bystanders)
  • Most truck accidents happen in rural areas
  • Most crashes involving tractor-trailers occur between the hours of noon and 3:00 pm
  • Around 50% of fatal accidents happen on highways with speed limits of 50-65 miles per hour

United States truck accident statistics  

  • Truck accidents claim an average of 5,100 lives each year
  • Most truck accident victims are male, due largely in part to the lack of female truck drivers
  • Weekdays see 2-3x more large truck accidents than weekend days
  • Most truck accidents occur in the months between June and October
  • There are more than 13 million large trucks registered across the country
Woman leaning her arm on out the window of her semi-truck
Fatigued man grips his head at the wheel of his Semi- Truck

Common causes of truck accidents

  • Driver fatigue: Truckers work long hours, often driving on long stretches of rural road. It is easy to become tired, and it is crucial that truck drivers take breaks when they begin to feel fatigued
  • Distracted driving: Around 70% of commercial vehicle accidents happen when the truck driver is doing something besides driving the truck, including texting, eating, looking at maps, or fiddling with the radio
  • Impaired driving: A driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a danger to everyone on the road
  • Mechanical failure: One of the most common causes of truck accidents is faulty equipment on the big rig
  • Improper passing or turning: Large trucks have much larger stopping distances and blind spots than passenger cars. If a truck is cut off by a car, it may be difficult for the driver to avoid an accident
  • Bad weather: Icy, snowy, or foggy road conditions can lead to major accidents, especially if motorists are not driving safely for the conditions

Common truck accident injuries 

Truck accident injuries can be severe, particularly for occupants of smaller vehicles. Some common types of truck accident injuries are:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Internal organ damage
  • Broken bones
  • Whiplash
  • Disfigurement
  • Broken or missing teeth
  • Ligament tears or strains
  • Lacerations and bruising
Common injuries suffered by victims of semi-truck accidents

United States Truck Laws

Truck-driver talks on cell phone at the wheel of his big rig

Are there federal distracted driving laws for truck drivers?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is the national governing body for commercial vehicles. Operators of large trucks are often held to higher standards than drivers of passenger vehicles, due to the increased potential for catastrophic injuries in a semi-truck accident.
Federal law states that truck drivers may not text or use a handheld phone while driving, regardless of state laws.

Are there federal impaired driving laws for truck drivers?

In most states, the BAC level limit is 0.08% for drivers of non-commercial vehicles. However, the FMCSA has established a federal BAC limit for drivers of commercial vehicles. No CMV operator may drive with a blood alcohol concentration of at or above 0.04%.

A driver found to be in violation of this law may have their CDL suspended or revoked.

Driver being subject to a breathalyzer test for a blood alcohol content
Trucker does a safety check on his tires.

What condition does a truck need to be in to drive?

Before starting a drive, truckers must complete a pre-trip inspection of the vehicle. They must inspect the critical areas of the truck to ensure they are in good working order before the semi may be driven. To be considered safe to drive, the truck must have properly functioning:

  • Brakes
  • Tires, wheels, and rims
  • Headlights, tail lights, and turn signals
  • Reflectors
  • Windshield and wipers
  • Mirrors
  • Steering system
  • Gauges
  • Horn

If any one of these components is faulty, it could seriously endanger the trucker and other drivers on the road. Regular truck maintenance and inspection helps keep everyone safe.

What are the requirements for obtaining and holding a CDL?

Each state has different testing and documentation requirements for obtaining a CDL, however, the FMCSA has set required knowledge and skills that potential truckers must demonstrate before they may drive commercially.
Commercial motor vehicle operators must be able to safely operate a commercial vehicle, including but not limited to:

  • Motor vehicle inspection, repair, and maintenance
  • Procedures for safe vehicle operations
  • The effects that fatigue, alcohol or drug use, and general health have on commercial truck drivers
  • Proper use of the vehicle’s safety system
  • How to safely and effectively turn, brake, shift, reverse, signal, manage speed and space, and perform emergency maneuvers while driving
  • How to drive safely at night, in extreme weather conditions, or when hazards are present on the road

In order to obtain endorsements for carrying passengers, hazardous waste, or extra trailers, applicants must demonstrate further knowledge and skills.

Truck driver shows his CDL after successfully passed training driving exam.

How many hours can a truck driver work at one time?

Driver fatigue is a serious problem in the trucking industry. Many trucking companies pay their drivers by the mile. Truckers are therefore incentivized to keep driving, even when they are tired, in order to increase their earning capacity. Because of this, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration created the Hours of Service Rule, a federal regulation limiting how many hours a trucker may drive at once.
The Hours of Service Rule is as follows:

  • Truckers may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty
  • Drivers may only be on-duty, driving or not, for a maximum of 14 consecutive hours
  • Drivers are required to take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving
  • In adverse conditions, the 11-hour and 14-hour maximums may be increased by up to 2 hours

How much time do I have to file a truck accident claim?

Every personal injury case has a time limit, known as the statute of limitations. After the time limit is up, you lose your right of action. Each state has a different statute of limitations for truck collisions, typically ranging from 1-6 years.
Regardless of your state’s laws, it’s important to contact an attorney to begin working on your case as soon as possible. Personal injury claims can take years to settle, depending on the severity of your injuries, the amount of evidence from the accident, and the willingness of the other party to settle.
If you believe you have a case, contact a personal injury attorney right away. This will give you the best chance of receiving the settlement you deserve.

Attorney discusses case with client

When Should I Hire a Truck Injury Attorney?

If you were injured in a tractor-trailer accident, you will need to prove negligence in order to receive a settlement. The responsible party may be found to be the truck driver, the trucking company, the manufacturer of truck equipment, or another party, depending on the circumstances surrounding your accident.
Insurance companies will often do whatever they can to prove you had some responsibility in the accident. They will go to extreme measures to diminish your claim and avoid paying you what you deserve. While recovering from injuries and dealing with property damage, fighting insurance providers can be stressful and upsetting.

The Advocates are personal injury attorneys who are ready to take on your truck accident claim. We have 30 years of experience representing accident victims, and we understand that when recovering from debilitating injuries, the last thing you want to do is navigate your way through a complex legal process. 
The Advocates’ law firm is here to help every step of the way. We will take on insurance adjusters, help you understand your medical bills, and do everything we can to get you the payout you deserve. We are committed to protecting your best interests. You deserve an attorney who will fight for you. You deserve an Advocate.

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