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Trucking Accidents

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Fargo Truck Accident Attorneys

Truck Accident Claims in North Dakota

After a serious truck accident in Fargo, you can come to Maring Williams Law Office for compassionate legal guidance from an award-winning team of lawyers. We have a deliberate focus on the experiences we make for our clients, who are often in the middle of what could be the most difficult challenge of their lives. Each time you interact with our team, we promise to show genuine courtesy and care because it is the right, neighborly thing to do.

To work with Fargo truck accident lawyers who really care about your wellbeing, call  1-701-224-0430.

What Damages Can You Recover In a Truck Accident Case?

The amount of compensation you can receive will depend on the severity of your injuries. In a truck accident claim you may have the opportunity to pursue compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages, which can generally be broken down into the following:

  • Compensation for medical expenses
  • Compensation for pain and suffering
  • Compensation for lost income, both present and future
  • Compensation for loss of companionship or consortium
  • Compensation for ongoing care or medical treatment if your accident caused injuries resulting in permanent disability

If you have lost a loved one in a trucking accident, reach out to our team today about filing a wrongful death claim. We will help you and your family fight for justice on behalf of your loved one.

Types of Truck Accidents

Understanding the type of truck accident that you were in helps direct our attention to the sources of liability. The underlying foundation of any successful injury claim is finding liability and proving it, after all. Using our decades of collective legal experience – our law firm was first established in 1991 – we can investigate your accident, find evidence of liability, and start building your claim on your behalf.

There are several different types of truck accidents, including:

  • Rear-end: The large size and weight of commercial trucks make it much more difficult for the entire vehicle to come to a complete stop than smaller cars. If a trucker is not paying attention or the truck’s brakes are defective, then a big rig may slam into the back of stopped or slowed traffic in front.
  • Jackknife: When a semi-truck skids out of control, it may fold at the hinge between the tractor and the trailer, much like a folding jackknife does. The resulting accident will affect multiple adjacent lanes as the trailer slides into them, striking any vehicles there.
  • Tip-over: The broadside of a trailer can catch gusts of wind like a sail as the truck drives along the highway. If the wind is strong enough, it can tip the entire truck over, crushing any smaller vehicles in the adjacent lane.
  • Loose cargo: Unsecured cargo can pose an extreme danger to everyone on the road around a commercial truck. As the truck picks up speed or hits a bump or turn, the loose cargo can spill onto the street and hit others.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Trucking Accidents?

Trucking accidents can be caused by a variety of different factors including:

  • Drowsy or distracted driving – Truckers often have to drive long hours on boring roads, which can lead to them falling asleep at the wheel or allowing themselves to be distracted by things like the radio, eating, or even being on their phone.
  • Drunk or drugged driving – Unfortunately it is not uncommon for some truckers to take performance enhancing drugs in order to allow them to stay awake longer and drive farther.
  • Faulty trucks or poorly loaded cargo – Mechanical issues including brakes going out, or cargo being loaded unevenly can lead to accidents when a trucker is unable to control their vehicle.
  • Speeding – In order to meet deadlines, some truckers will speed, resulting in accidents when they are unable to stop in time.

Who is Liable in a Truck Accident?

You might be understandably convinced that the truck driver who hit you is the only party responsible for your damages. The truth is often more complex, though. In many truck accident cases, liability can be traced to multiple parties. By filing a claim against multiple defendants, you could potentially collect more damages due to more insurance policies being used to provide your compensation.

What liable parties might there be in your truck accident claim?

  • Trucker: The truck driver who is in control of a big rig always has a responsibility to drive safely and try to prevent an accident. No matter what other parties do to contribute to an accident, it is rare for a trucker to be absolved of all liability.
  • Trucking company: The parent company that sends truck drivers on routes and gives them delivery schedules can be liable for some truck accidents. Negligence on behalf of a trucking company often includes overscheduling a trucker to the point of exhaustion or hiring an inexperienced truck driver.
  • Part manufacturers: If a truck accident occurs due to a truck part defect, then it could be possible that liability lies with the part manufacturer. At that point, the trucker or trucking company could find itself in a fight with the manufacturer as well, but that does not mean they will be “on your side.”
  • Load crews: Third-party load crews that place cargo into or onto a trailer have a duty to do so safely. Failing to secure cargo correctly can cause an accident later, and the liability might land on the shoulders of that load crew.

What Should You Do After a Truck Accident?

There are four things that every driver should do after a trucking accident:

  • Call the authorities: Truck accidents rarely end in minimal damage and injuries. If someone is hurt or debris has been scattered into the road, then the authorities should be notified of your crash so they can help control the situation.
  • Collect evidence: If it is safe to do so, take pictures of your accident, and speak with eyewitnesses to get their testimonies. If the authorities are brought to the scene of your truck accident, ask them to send you copies of their reports when they can.
  • See a doctor: Visit a medical professional for a checkup the same day as your truck accident. You need to make certain you have no underlying, undiagnosed injuries. A doctor’s notes can also prove to be valuable evidence of your injuries and damages in the future.
  • Call an attorney: The last thing to do is to speak with a truck accident lawyer in Fargo to learn more about your legal options.

How Can Truck Accidents Be Prevented?

While taking preventative measures will not guarantee you’ll never get in an accident, it can help reduce the likelihood.

Some preventative measures to follow include:

  • Avoiding a truck’s blind spots (typically on either side of the truck or immediately behind it)
  • Paying careful attention while passing
  • Using your signals to indicate intention to pass or merge
  • Allow space for the truck, do not crowd them

Contact Maring Williams Law Office Today!

If you live in Fargo or the surrounding area, you can count on Maring Williams Law Office for honest legal guidance and counsel after a truck accident. Our truck accident attorneys in Fargo can make everything easier and less stressful by taking care of your claim, step by step. While we get to work on your claim, we would like it if you do what you can to relax and take care of yourself.

Discuss the details of your truck accident claim today. Fill out an online contact form now.

Fargo Personal Injury Lawyer