Concord’s population has grown over 33.1% in the last decade, and being close to Charlotte, you’ll notice more semi-trucks on US-601, I-85, and I-485. If you’ve been in an accident with a big rig, you need a truck accident attorney on your side to help you:
- Pay for medical bills
- Seek a fair settlement
- Help restore your life
Semi-truck accidents are serious, and your life can be upended in a second. Work, school, and your day-to-day life could be impacted.
Our firm will be by your side, helping you navigate complex laws and fighting for a successful outcome. Our goal is to work to solve problems and empower our clients so that they can return to the activities they love.
Click here to schedule a consultation with us to discuss your case.
Case Illustration
Amy is a 28-year-old single mother who works 45 hours a week and is going back to school. She is on her way to pick up her daughter from childcare. She’s planning to pick up pizza for dinner afterward, but as a semi-truck turns onto the interstate, it slams into the side of her car.
Luckily, Amy hadn’t picked up her child yet. However, her car was severely damaged, and she hit her head on the side of the window.
Amy is lucky that the truck didn’t hit her vehicle harder and flip it over, but her sedan has extensive damage. Her head is pounding. She immediately calls 911. The aftermath is:
- Severe concussion with post-concussive symptoms
- Loss of the only vehicle she owned to get to and from work, school, and her child’s childcare
- Inability to concentrate in her classes at Cabarrus College, so she’ll likely miss a semester or two
If you’re in Amy’s shoes, you need to recover from your injuries, replace your vehicle, and care for your child. Insurance companies are often uncooperative and will try to settle your claim as quickly as possible, often with a settlement lower than you deserve.
Without a truck accident attorney, she’ll be left trying to pick up the pieces while trying to pay her bills and putting her studies on hold.
North Carolina Truck Accident Stats
- 2,908 total accidents (truck and non-truck) in Concord
- 1,103 injuries and 11 fatal accidents (truck and non-truck) in Concord
- 314 crashes involving a truck/tractor
- 3,567 crashes involving a truck/trailer
- 4,920 crashes involving a truck/semi-trailer
What are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
Truck accidents can happen at any time and for any reason, but the most common causes include:
- 13% bad weather
- 6.7% drunk driving
- Fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Speeding
- Road conditions
What Types of Injuries Do Truck Crash Victims Sustain?
Victims can sustain minor contusions or life-threatening injuries when they get into an accident with a semi-truck. Every injury that impacts your life is serious, but the most common are soft-tissue injuries, whiplash, broken bones, head injuries, lacerations, and broken ribs.
You may also experience “invisible injuries,” which include internal bleeding, PTSD, memory loss, and more.
What to Do After a Semi-Truck Accident
Immediately after the accident, call 911 and report the incident. You’ll want to take pictures and videos of the scene if you can. When the ambulance arrives, be sure to get evaluated and go to the emergency room if necessary.
A police report should be taken, and you’ll want to gather any information you can from:
- Witnesses (including name, address, phone number)
- Drivers
Contacting a truck accident attorney is a top priority, but you need to seek medical attention first.
Choosing the Best Semi-Truck Accident Attorney for Me
Your lawyer should be local and a person who understands North Carolina law. You’ll want to focus on lawyers who are client-centric, have experience in truck accidents, and have a proven track record of success.
Reviews and testimonials can help you find an attorney who will fight hard so that you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.
How Does the Semi-Truck Accident Injury Claim Process Work?
Truck accidents are multi-layered, and multiple parties may be involved in your case. As your lawyer, we’ll gather evidence, witness accounts, and work to identify the party – or parties – liable for your injuries.
We’ll go back and forth with insurance companies for you, handle negotiations, and if no settlement can be reached, we’ll go to court on your behalf.
Determining Fault in Concord, NC Semi-Truck Accidents
North Carolina is one of the few states that practices contributory negligence. What does this mean for your claim? Simply put, if you contributed to the accident in any way, you cannot recover damages in a personal injury lawsuit.
Contributory negligence rules can be harsh, but there are a few doctrines that North Carolina courts employ to mitigate their potentially unfair effects.
For example:
- If the truck driver had a last clear opportunity to avoid the accident and did not, you may still be able to recover damages even if you were contributorily negligent.
- If the truck driver’s negligence was “willful or wanton,” you may still be able to seek compensation. In this case, the trucker intentionally or consciously disregarded the rights and safety of others.
Determining liability is complex and requires the help of an experienced truck accident attorney. An attorney will review all of the facts and evidence to piece together what happened and identify who is at fault for the incident. Evidence can include:
- Police reports
- Witness testimony
- Photos and videos of the accident scene
- Vehicle damage inspection reports
- Medical records
The driver may be at fault for the accident, but other parties may also share some of the responsibility, including:
- The trucker’s employer
- The party responsible for maintaining the truck
- The shipping company, if the cargo wasn’t secured or positioned properly
- The manufacturer of a defective part or truck
If you were injured in a truck accident, negligent parties should be held accountable for their actions. Defendants in truck accident cases often try to leverage North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule to avoid taking responsibility and paying what’s fair.
At Edwards Injury Law, we are prepared to fight these arguments and hold negligent parties accountable for their actions.
Do I Have a Case?
Truck accidents are complicated, and when injuries are involved, they become even more complex. North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule can further make it challenging to determine whether you have a case without the help of an experienced attorney.
Establishing negligence and determining fault will be some of the first steps in determining whether you have a valid claim.
What is My Truck Accident Injury Worth?
If you’re injured in a truck accident, you may be able to seek economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages can include:
- Medical expenses, including hospitalization and rehabilitation
- Lost income
- Property damage, such as the repair or replacement of your vehicle
- Loss of earning capacity if your injury left you unable to work
- Home-based medical care
- The cost of assistive devices or modifications to your home and vehicle
Non-economic damages can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Emotional anguish
An experienced attorney will know how to properly assess and value these damages to ensure you seek fair compensation.
How Edwards Injury Law Can Help
Being involved in a truck accident can be a traumatic experience. You may still be recovering from your injuries and unsure of your next steps. We’re here to help.
Truck accidents often lead to catastrophic injuries and damage. Insurance companies will fight aggressively to avoid paying what’s fair. This is where the help of an experienced, compassionate attorney who understands the next action to take comes in.
At Edwards Injury Law, we are agents of change and fight with passion to get justice for our clients. We are proud to be a black- and veteran-owned firm and to serve those who need our help.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
