Were you hurt in an accident with a commercial truck? Did the truck driver take a sharp turn incorrectly or unsafely? If so, contact DeMayo Law Offices, and our Charlotte truck accident lawyer team will work on your legal case to hold the driver accountable and recover the compensation you deserve.
It takes adequate training, knowledge, and skills to operate a tractor-trailer. Something as simple as turning is much more complicated for a truck driver. They have to maneuver a long vehicle that takes up a lot of space on the road. One wrong move could lead to a severe accident that causes injuries to the occupants of small cars.
If the truck driver’s negligent actions while taking a sharp turn caused a collision, you might be entitled to compensation for your expenses and the suffering you endured. For a free consultation to find out more about how we can help, call DeMayo Law Offices at (877) 333-1000 today.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents Due to Sharp Turns
Truck drivers have to swing out wide to compensate for their larger vehicle when preparing to turn. If they don’t maneuver properly, they could turn into another vehicle, jump a curb, or get stuck in an intersection and block traffic.
The most common causes of sharp turn accidents include:
- Turn signals – A truck driver should always use their turn signal, so other motorists are aware of an upcoming turn they’re planning to make and get out of the way.
- Blind spots – Commercial trucks have larger blind spots than passenger vehicles. The driver must adequately check their blind spots, so they don’t run over another car or pin it between the truck and a stationary object.
- Inexperienced driver – Truck drivers must pass tests, training, and certification programs before operating a large truck. Someone who doesn’t know how to execute a sharp turn the right way could cause a devastating accident.
- Speeding – If a trucker takes a turn while driving at excessive speeds, they will have a harder time controlling the vehicle. They should slow down ahead of the turn and maintain a safe speed through it.
Other factors that could lead to a sharp turn accident include:
- Driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Impairment by alcohol or drugs
- Unfamiliarity with the road
- Ignoring traffic signs and signals
If the cause of the truck accident you were involved in isn’t included in this list, DeMayo Law Offices can review your case to determine if you are entitled to compensation from the truck driver. There are many other reasons for a crash like this to occur, and we have the experience and resources to investigate and determine your legal options.
For a free legal consultation with a sharp turns lawyer serving Charlotte, call (877) 333-1000
Pursuing Compensation from An Insurance Claim or Lawsuit
You have several means of seeking financial compensation from a truck driver if they caused your injuries in an accident.
Liability Insurance Claim
You could file a claim with the driver’s liability insurance company. You might be able to cover your past and future damages depending on the coverage listed on their policy. Damages are all the losses associated with an accident, such as:
- Medical bills
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Out of pocket expenses
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
Federal laws require that all truck drivers carry insurance with the following minimum liability limits:
- $300,000 for commercial trucks weighing under 10,001 pounds and carrying non-hazardous cargo
- $750,000 for trucks transporting non-hazardous materials and weighing over 10,000 pounds
- $1 million for trucks transporting oil and hazardous cargo
- $5 million for trucks carrying other hazardous substances
UM Insurance Claim
It is rare that a truck driver’s high liability coverage won’t adequately compensate for a victim’s total damages. However, if you have additional expenses leftover after settling a liability insurance claim, you might be able to file a claim with your insurance company.
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage provides compensation if the at-fault party doesn’t have insurance or high enough liability limits. Although it is mandatory coverage, you could opt-out in writing when you purchase insurance. It is critical that you review your policy after an accident to determine whether you have it.
When you file a UM claim, you could seek the following damages:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Out of pocket costs
- Pain and suffering
Lawsuit
Insurance companies don’t care about their claimants. Their goal is to save money and find a valid reason to deny your claim or provide a low settlement offer. If they do this in your case, you could file a lawsuit against them and the truck driver.
You must follow the North Carolina statute of limitations for injury lawsuits. This is a strict deadline, and if it passes, you could lose your right to pursue compensation. There is a three-year statute of limitations, which means you have three years from the accident date to sue the at-fault party.
Charlotte Sharp Turns Lawyer Near Me (877) 333-1000
Contact DeMayo Law Offices
Our lawyers understand the financial strain you were forced to face after getting hurt in a truck accident. We don’t want to add more stress to the situation, so we will take your case on contingency. That means you won’t have to pay upfront fees or costs. We won’t expect payment of our legal fees unless we win your case. If we lose, you won’t owe us anything.
With over 150 years of combined legal experience, you can feel confident knowing you’ll receive quality representation. We will fight hard and aggressively pursue the maximum compensation you deserve. This has been an emotional, traumatic, and overwhelming experience. You can depend on us to remain by your side until the very end of your case.
At DeMayo Law Offices, we believe in providing excellent customer service. Our legal team is available 24/7, so you can reach us at a time that is convenient for you. We don’t make our clients wait long to hear from us. When you call or email, we will respond promptly. Reaching your legal goals and meeting your expectations are our main priorities.
Call us today at (877) 333-1000 for a free consultation if you sustained injuries in an accident when a truck driver took a sharp turn. We will fight for the justice you deserve and help you get on the road to recovery.
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