Norwalk Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck Accident Attorney in Norwalk, CT

Semi-trucks play a vital role in supporting our economy by delivering goods on time. However, they can also pose a risk thanks to their large size and weight. If you’ve been injured in an accident with a commercial truck, a Norwalk truck accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you need to pay medical bills and focus on healing.

Trust Buckley Wynne & Parese

Here at Buckley Wynne & Parese, we believe that Connecticut drivers deserve a Norwalk personal injury lawyer they can trust to give every case their all. That’s why we have a law partner handle every claim, rather than passing certain cases off to paralegals. Let us leverage our years of experience practicing personal injury law to get you the settlement you deserve.

What Makes Truck Accidents So Dangerous?

While the size of semi-trucks is arguably the most obvious factor that contributes to the likelihood of catastrophic injury during accidents, it’s not the only one. Commercial trucks also have limited acceleration, braking, turning, and visibility capabilities, and 18-wheelers are prone to jackknifing.

Jackknifing occurs when a truck twists horizontally, blocking multiple lanes of traffic. More vehicles may be involved in a truck accident if it is caused by jackknifing. Large trucks also have difficulty making right turns, which requires two lanes to accommodate the trailer, creating a potential hazard for other drivers.

Common Injuries From Truck Accidents

Even at low speeds, semi-trucks carry an enormous amount of kinetic energy, and smaller vehicles like passenger cars take the brunt of the damage when they collide. As a result, you’re more likely to sustain serious injuries in a truck crash than in a car accident. Some of the most common of these injuries include:

• Back injuries, such as herniated discs
• Neck injuries, including whiplash
• Contact injuries from hitting the dashboard, steering wheel, or windows
• Broken bones
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions
• Spinal cord injuries that can lead to paralysis
• Traumatic or surgical amputations
• Psychological trauma

In extreme cases, people can die from their injuries. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, a total of 24 fatal crashes occurred on Connecticut’s roads last year due to commercial truck accidents. If your loved one was killed by a semi-truck driver, ask your lawyer about how to file a wrongful death claim.

Why Are Truck Accident Claims So Complicated?

Truck accident cases are more complex than regular car accident claims because there are almost always multiple parties involved. If driver negligence contributed to the crash, the driver can be held responsible, but so can the trucking company, thanks to a concept called vicarious liability.

If mechanical failures led to an accident, the parts manufacturers or the mechanics responsible for the defects may also be liable. If improper cargo loading led the driver to lose control of the vehicle, even cargo loaders could share some of the blame.

The good news is that you may be able to file multiple claims, which can increase the compensation you receive for your injuries. Your Norwalk truck accident attorney can analyze the evidence and determine who was liable for the accident. They can also help you fill out paperwork and provide support for your claim.

How Insurance Policies Can Affect Personal Injury Claims

Trucking companies are required to carry insurance policies that cover their drivers. The State of Connecticut has higher coverage requirements for commercial carriers than private drivers. They include:

• $750,000 of coverage for non-hazardous freight vehicles of 10,001 lbs. or more
• $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 of coverage for hazardous freight vehicles of 10,001 lbs. or more
• $1,500,000 of coverage for vehicles with a seating capacity of more than eight
• $5,000,000 of coverage for vehicles with a seating capacity of more than 16

What these requirements mean for your claim is that you may be able to recover more compensation from a trucking company than from a private driver.

Federal Trucking Regulations That Could Affect Your Case

All commercial drivers are subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). They include:

• Maximum Driving Hours: Drivers are only allowed to be behind the wheel for 11 hours of every 14-hour duty window if they carry freight. Drivers carrying passengers can only drive for 10 hours.
• Vehicle Maintenance Standards: Trucking companies are required to establish vehicle maintenance and inspection programs and to keep detailed records of any repairs, inspections, and general vehicle conditions.
• Driver Qualification Requirements: Commercial drivers need to carry a commercial driver’s license (CDL). To get a CDL, a driver must complete a specialized training course, pass a road test, and pass a medical exam. Maintaining a CDL requires continued qualification.
• Drug and Alcohol Testing: Trucking companies are required to implement drug and alcohol testing programs that include pre-employment, random, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion testing.

While a driver or trucking company does not have to be violating the FMCSRs to be held liable for an accident they caused, it can help your claim if the driver was in violation. This establishes negligence per se, meaning that it automatically proves that the driver was negligent and provides a stronger case than you would have if you had to prove the driver was at fault.

How Common Are Truck Accidents in Norwalk?

In 2024, truck accidents accounted for 59 of the total 3,779 crashes in Norwalk, CT. While 38 of these crashes occurred on Interstate 95, the remaining 21 occurred on state or local roads, such as US Route 7, West Ave, and Main Ave. In other words, no one who drives or rides in a car is immune to the possibility of getting into a commercial vehicle accident.

Why Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in Norwalk, CT?

Technically, you don’t need to hire a truck accident lawyer to file a claim. However, that doesn’t mean you should try to take on the case alone. Insurance companies routinely take advantage of claimants who don’t have legal representation, offering them low settlements that don’t cover 100% of their damages. Working with a Norwalk truck accident attorney changes all that.

Your attorney won’t just help you file your claim. They can also evaluate the evidence and form a strong case to support it, identify all the possible damages you could claim, and negotiate on your behalf with insurance companies. If your case needs to go to trial, your lawyer can also represent you in court. A truck accident attorney is always a worthwhile advocate.

FAQs About Truck Accidents in Norwalk, CT

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Truck Accident Case?

How long it takes to settle a truck accident case varies depending on the specifics of your case. A straightforward truck accident case in which one party is found to be 100% liable for all the damages caused by the crash can be settled relatively quickly. If there are disputes over who is liable for the accident or other complicating factors, such as the need to go to trial, the case will take much longer to resolve.

What Happens When a Truck Driver Gets Into an Accident?

When a truck driver gets into an accident, they can face a number of consequences. If they’re determined to be at fault for the accident, they could lose their jobs or even their CDLs. They can also be held liable for any damages caused by the crash in civil court, which means you can file a claim against a trucker who has caused you personal injuries as a result of an accident.

What Four Things Usually Need to Be Proven to Prove Negligence?

To prove negligence, you’ll need to prove that the defendant owed you a duty of care, that they breached their duty, that the breach caused you personal injury, and that you suffered actual harm or losses as a result of it. If you can prove these four things, your truck accident claim should be easy to resolve.

Can You File a Claim Against a Trucker for Negligent Driving?

You can file a claim against a trucker for negligent driving if they caused an accident that led to an injury. Examples of negligent driving can include distracted driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, drowsy driving, and a failure to follow trucking laws or the general rules of the road. Depending on the nature of their professional relationship, the truck driver’s employer can also be held liable for the driver’s negligence.

Your Norwalk Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accidents can have devastating consequences, but you don’t have to go through everything alone. You can work with a Norwalk truck accident lawyer to get compensation for your injuries and other damages.

The team here at Buckley Wynne & Parese will be happy to help you file your truck accident claim and hold the responsible parties accountable. We’ve helped countless other clients get the compensation they deserve. We can help you, too. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.

Available 24/71-800-445-2278

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