Commercial Vehicles & Tractor Trailers
Accidents involving commercial vehicles such as tractor trailers frequently result in serious injuries or death due to the size and weight of the vehicle involved. Unfortunately, the survivors of these collisions often face a lengthy rehabilitation and/or permanent injuries. They must also wrestle with insurance providers that refuse to pay the full amount necessary to cover medical costs, as well as lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
These accidents can be devastating to families. However, to trucking companies, such accidents are simply the cost of doing business. Many trucking companies have representatives that respond to an accident scene immediately to begin interviewing (and influencing) witnesses, law enforcement and other first responders. They gain an advantage by building their case early. Trucking companies and their insurers use this advantage to pay victims a fraction of what they are owed.
Trucking companies are required to follow a number of federal, state and local laws regarding driver safety and truck maintenance. Many wrecks are a direct result of a failure to follow these laws. Kevin has extensive experience investigating and uncovering such failures in cases across North Carolina which can include:
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Fatigued drivers
- Mechanical failure
- Negligent hire and retention of unqualified drivers
- Driver error
- Overweight trailers
Frequently, trucking companies break their operations down into several smaller companies that purport to perform different functions such as maintenance, logistics and leasing. Often, trucking companies do this to try and hide assets. Kevin has significant experience locating such assets through aggressive discovery, depositions and litigation.
If you or a loved one is injured in a trucking accident, contact me as soon as it is appropriate and feasible to discuss your options. Do not talk to any representatives of the trucking company or their insurers, who often use aggressive means to try and settle with you for much less than they owe.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a collision involving a tractor trailer or other vehicle, contact the Law Office of Kevin J. Williams, PLLC, to discuss your options. You may reach me at (336)793-8459 or use the contact form to send me an e-mail.
