Truck Accident Lawyer
Louisville, KY

You have limited time to file a claim

In Kentucky, the statute of limitations for truck accident claims is generally one year from the date of the accident. This means that you have one year from the date of the accident to initiate legal proceedings by filing a lawsuit. It’s crucial to be aware of this limitation and take prompt action if you intend to pursue a claim for your truck accident injuries or damages.

A truck accident attorney can secure vital evidence from the trucking company

The direct aftermath of a truck crash is a critical time for victims to seek legal representation. Failing to hire a trucking accident lawyer immediately can put the injured party at a disadvantage when seeking compensation and, in some cases, when attempting to obtain critical evidence from the trucking company since there is a chance that key items can be destroyed if proper steps are not taken.

An experienced law firm will get to work for you the day you call by working to secure vital evidence, such as the truck’s black box, otherwise known as an Electronic Logging Device (ELD), which stores information about the truck’s performance, speed, and location over the last 30 days.

This is done by issuing a spoliation letter, which legally informs the trucking company that you are filing a claim concerning the accident. It puts a legal obligation on the trucking company to preserve any information pertinent to your claim, such as the data recorded on the black box. A spoliation letter also preserves other evidence, such as driver logs, maintenance and repair records, and other information that could be vital to your case.

Let Hughes & Coleman get to work for you today to safeguard the evidence in your case. Call us at 800-800-4600. Get it done.

It takes a team of experienced truck accident attorneys when going up against the trucking industry

When a commercial truck is involved in a wreck, the trucking company and other parties will have teams of some of the best truck accident lawyers working on their side to reduce their liability in the crash, eliminate their share of liability altogether, and in some cases, file lawsuits against the drivers of the passenger vehicles involved. While these are often intimidation tactics, they can deter many accident victims from following through with a personal injury claim or even lead them to accept a settlement that is not in their best interest.

At Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers, we have a dedicated team of truck accident lawyers who support our clients by navigating and investigating some of the most complex cases to get our clients every dollar they deserve.

When you need a team of truck accident lawyers, hire Hughes & Coleman and get it done.

A truck accident lawyer can help identify what caused the wreck and who is liable

In a commercial truck accident, multiple parties can be held liable, which is what makes trucking accidents so complex. Experienced Louisville truck accident lawyers will begin your injury claim by identifying all of the contributing factors, assigning potential liability to the respective trucking company, truck driver, and others who may have played a role in your injuries and the wreck.

In truck accident cases, parties who can be held responsible include:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company responsible for the vehicle and the driver
• The insurance company
• The owner of the truck (which is not always the trucking company or the truck drivers)
• The manufacturers of the truck and its parts
• Cargo companies who may have incorrectly loaded the truck or tractor trailer
• Repair shops that may have not followed proper maintenance procedures
• Even the government can be held liable if they played a role

As you can see, a truck accident case involves many factors that need to be considered, which is where a Louisville truck accident lawyer becomes critical for you to receive every dollar you deserve. An experienced personal injury lawyer knows what to look for and how to get injury victims maximum compensation.

Common causes of Kentucky and Louisville truck accidents that a truck accident lawyer will investigate

The most recent data from the Kentucky Transportation Center sheds light on some of the most common contributing factors for truck collisions. When a truck accident occurs, an experienced attorney will investigate these factors along with others to determine liability, fault, and, ultimately, who is responsible for your compensation. These can include factors related to the truck and how the driver may have contributed to the wreck.

A wide variety of methods can be used to prove fault in a personal injury claim after truck accidents

In order to receive financial compensation, you must provide clear evidence that the truck driver or the truck itself was responsible for the crash. This requires extensive experience in handling truck accident cases, and a law firm with the resources available to ensure every aspect of the crash is accounted for.

In a personal injury lawsuit, the investigation plays a key part in determining liability, and may include:

• Accident Reconstruction Specialists: If the cause of the accident is in dispute, accident reconstruction experts can recreate the scene of the accident to help prove fault.
• Police reports and citations: A police report will state the cause of the accident and can provide evidence that the trucker was behaving negligently.
• Eyewitness statements: We will speak to any parties who may have been witnesses to the accident. If they saw the trucker engaging in distracted driving, their statements can be invaluable to your case.
• Cell Phone Records: Cell phone companies will have a log of all calls and texts made. If the records show that a call or text was made from the truck driver’s phone at the time of the accident, this is clear evidence of distracted driving.
• Surveillance tapes: We will look for traffic cameras or businesses with surveillance cameras that may be able to provide video proof that the driver was eating, texting, or otherwise focused on something else when the accident occurred.
• Electronic logging device (ELD) data: Commercial trucks are equipped with electronic logging devices (also known as a black box) that track various data, such as vehicle speed, braking patterns, and driver hours of service. This information can be valuable in determining if a driver was in compliance with regulations or whether fatigue and other factors contributed to the accident.
• Truck maintenance records: Maintenance records and inspection reports can reveal if the truck involved in the accident was properly maintained and in compliance with safety standards. Neglecting maintenance or failing to address mechanical issues can indicate negligence on the part of the trucking company or driver.

At Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers, we have extensive experience investigating truck accidents to prove liability and fault. We know what to look for to ensure that the truck company is held responsible for any part they contributed to the crash and any injuries that occurred as a result.

Common types of commercial truck accidents

Rear-End Collisions: These occur when a truck collides with the vehicle in front of it. Rear-end accidents can happen due to a truck’s large size and weight, reduced stopping distance, or driver distraction or inattention.

Jackknife Accidents: A jackknife accident happens when the trailer of a truck swings out to the side, forming an angle with the cab. This can occur when the truck’s wheels lock up, causing the trailer to skid out of control. Jackknife accidents can lead to severe collisions involving multiple vehicles.

Rollover Accidents: Rollover accidents occur when a truck tips over onto its side or roof. Factors contributing to rollovers include excessive speed, sharp turns, shifting cargo, uneven road conditions, or driver error.

Underride Accidents: An underride accident occurs when a smaller vehicle collides with the rear or side of a truck and slides underneath it. These accidents can result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities, as the smaller vehicle’s roof may be sheared off or crushed.

Sideswipe Accidents: Trucks have large blind spots or “no-zones” around their sides and rear, where smaller vehicles may not be visible to the truck driver. Accidents can happen when a truck changes lanes or makes a turn, unaware of a vehicle in its blind spot.

Wide Turn Accidents: Due to their length and size, trucks require a wider turning radius. When making a right turn, a truck may swing into the left lane, potentially colliding with vehicles in its path.

A truck wreck can leave victims with severe injuries

A serious accident can leave victims with life-long, catastrophic injuries. When you’re facing injuries that may never heal, a Louisville truck accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for all your future needs. Common injuries after a wreck include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Burns
• Internal injuries
• Emotional distress

Truck accidents can also be fatal

A Louisville truck accident attorney can help you receive the most compensation possible

When pursuing a fair settlement or ruling, the specific types of damages you can sue for will depend on the circumstances of the accident and the extent of your injuries. Some common damages that injury victims seek compensation for include:

Medical Expenses: You can sue for current and future medical expenses related to your injuries, including hospital bills, surgeries, medication costs, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and necessary assistive devices.

Pain and Suffering: Compensation may be sought for physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by the accident and resulting injuries.

Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries have caused you to miss work or have resulted in a reduced ability to earn income in the future, you can sue for lost wages and loss of earning capacity.

Property Damage: If your personal property, such as your vehicle, was damaged in the accident, you can seek compensation for the cost of repair or replacement.

Punitive Damages: In certain cases involving egregious misconduct or recklessness, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the responsible party and deter similar behavior in the future.

Wrongful death: A wrongful death claim seeks compensation for the losses and damages resulting from the death of a loved one due to the truck accident.

Types of commercial truck cases a trucking accident lawyer will handle

We win big truck cases

Trust in a law firm who has the experience and resources for your truck accident claim. Here are just some of our recent victories:

$12 Million Jury Verdict Secured for Truck Accident Victim

Our client was initially offered $50,000, but our attorneys fought back and secured a $12,000,000 truck accident jury verdict, highlighting the inadequate offers routinely made by trucking companies.

Landmark $6.7 Million Jury Verdict Obtained in Tow Truck Negligence Case

Due to the negligence of a tow truck company, our client suffered injuries, leading to a $6.7 million verdict secured by our team.

Family Receives $1 Million Settlement in Truck Accident Case

Our success in obtaining justice resulted in a $1,000,000 settlement for a family who endured significant injuries in a truck accident. The collision took place when a semi-tractor trailer disregarded a traffic signal, crashing into our client’s vehicle

Our offices are conveniently located near you – contact us today

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a semi or other large truck, contact us today for a free case consultation. You can even come into our offices to meet with our legal team. If you’re unable to travel, we will come to you.

Call us today at 800-800-4600. Get it done.