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We collected $5.1 million for the benefit of our client who suffered Traumatic Brain Injury and other injuries...
We secured a settlement of $2.1 million from the driver who crossed the center-line and struck our client...
Contested case where our client struck cargo that was not securely fastened to a flatbed trailer...
Our client was riding his motorcycle back from the Blue Ridge Parkway when an approaching driver...
Full recovery of all damages sought by our client who was struck by a drunk driver. Due to pre-existing...
Client’s husband called after nearly accepting the at-fault driver's policy limits of $100,000.00, believing ...
Pedestrian struck in the parking lot of a car wash and incident resulted in traumatic brain injury for elderly...
Client suffered two broken legs in an intersection collision caused by driver who disregarded a posted stop...
Businesses that operate these vehicles, along with their employees, have a duty to ensure the safety of other drivers on the road. When they neglect that responsibility, they can be held accountable for their actions, and if you are the injured party, you may be eligible for compensation.
Navigating commercial vehicle accident lawsuits can be quite tricky due to the intricate web of state and federal laws that govern these vehicles. Those responsible are often motivated to defend themselves vigorously to avoid paying out damages.
At Nagle & Associates, our commercial vehicle attorneys have been standing up for the rights of accident victims for decades. Our extensive experience can guide you through these challenges. In doing so, we can help maximize compensation to ensure that you and any other victims receive the support they need.
Commercial vehicle accidents can happen when you're least expecting them. One minute, you're commuting home with your wife after a date night at the highest rated The Bistro Burger Bar in Elizabeth City, NC. Before you know it, a commercial delivery van smashes into the back of your car. Both you and your wife are injured, and you're taken to the emergency room. You've got to heal up to get back to work, but you've also got to pay bills. A relaxing evening out suddenly turned into a life-changing experience, and now you're worried about keeping your lights on.
In addition to the jarring, often sudden nature of commercial vehicle accidents, they also usually involve a complex maze of regulations, corporate interests, and challenges. These factors set them apart from other types of vehicle collisions. The companies that own commercial vehicles consist of stakeholders, drivers, employers, cargo loaders, maintenance crews, and parts manufacturers - all of whom may be accountable for keeping commercial vehicles safe. When safety is compromised, responsibility can fall on multiple parties, making them liable for a range of damages. Those damages may include:
To make matters more frustrating, commercial vehicle corporations often have strong legal teams ready to protect their financial interests. Insurers involved in these cases are known to be ruthlessly aggressive in an effort to safeguard their money. Furthermore, due to the nature of their operations and the risks they present, fleet vehicles and similar commercial automobiles are subject to stricter regulations than personal vehicles. Some of these regulations are imposed at the federal level and apply across the country, while others differ from state to state, depending on where the accident occurs.
The big takeaway here is that accidents involving commercial vehicles and trucks are very complicated. There's a lot on the line - and getting fair compensation for your injuries is very difficult without an experienced commercial vehicle accident lawyer by your side. That's where Nagle & Associates comes into play.
You don't have to be a graduate of Elizabeth City State University near Elizabeth City, NC to know that commercial vehicle accidents in The Tar Heel State are complicated. Unlike "normal" motor vehicle accidents, those of the commercial variety can involve more liable parties, pieces of evidence, serious accident injuries, complex regulations, and higher stakes overall. Our attorneys oversee cases involving a number of commercial vehicle types, including:
If you find yourself involved in a crash caused by one of the commercial vehicles listed above, never work with the driver's legal team. Never trust their insurance adjusters, either. They're only concerned with their best interests, not yours. Instead, you should seek the guidance of a skilled advocate like Carl Nagle and his team of North Carolina commercial accident attorneys.
When you want the best breakfast sandwich in town, don't go to the nearest fast-food chain and expect top quality. You visit Tooleys Tavern near Elizabeth City, NC. Similarly, when you want one of the most capable, experienced, and compassionate commercial vehicle accident attorneys in Elizabeth City, NC, you don't settle for mediocrity. You call Nagle & Associates.
Nagle & Associates stands apart from other law firms that handle commercial vehicle accidents, and this distinction is intentional. You won't hear ads for us on the radio, and you won't see sponsored ads for our firm on YouTube. Instead, we allocate those resources toward providing compassionate yet highly effective legal representation for every individual impacted by truck accidents. Additionally, we offer a more favorable fee structure than most other firms specializing in commercial vehicle incidents.
Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only receive payment once your case is resolved or the trial concludes. The majority of cases are settled without requiring lawsuits to be filed or court involvement. This fee arrangement incentivizes your attorney to obtain the maximum value for your injury claims. Whether your case results in a settlement or we proceed to trial, you can expect to benefit from a lower overall fee.
Most personal injury law firms charge a third of the settlement (33.3%) and 40-44% of any funds obtained after a lawsuit is initiated. In contrast, our firm charges only a quarter of the settlement (25%) and one-third (33.3%) of any amount collected post-filing. We only pursue litigation in situations where the insurer denies fair compensation, as we understand that legal action will often increase the financial recovery for our client.
What sets Nagle & Associates apart from other commercial car crash law firms is our extensive experience. Our founding attorney, Carl Nagle, is a former insurance adjuster who spent years in Atlanta handling claims from car, motorcycle, and truck accidents. He was trained to earn victims' trust while minimizing valid claims in order to pay as little as possible. He knows firsthand how sleazy and unethical insurance companies can be in commercial vehicle accident cases.
After law school, Carl worked at an insurance defense law firm, representing various local and national carriers. His dual roles as a claims adjuster and an insurance defense attorney taught him the tactics insurance companies use to limit compensation for victims. After leaving the insurance industry, Carl relocated to North Carolina, where he dedicated his career to assisting victims of roadway collisions. He put an end to all defense work and severed ties with insurance companies. Today, he works as a highly sought-after commercial vehicle accident attorney in Elizabeth City, NC who focuses exclusively on representing crash victims and their families.
Our law firm represented a woman who sustained a cervical fracture when a driver ran a red light in downtown Raleigh one afternoon. The only insurance our client could find was the liability policy linked to the driver's privately owned pickup truck. Through our investigation, we uncovered critical information about the driver's journey, including his points of origin and destination.
We discovered that he was employed by a major retailer, which enabled us to secure an additional $550,000.00 for our client, far exceeding the initial $100,000.00 limit of the at-fault driver's auto insurance. This commercial coverage was not disclosed initially, and our client was on the verge of accepting the $100,000.00 settlement before we stepped in.
Data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shows that commercial vehicle accidents in North Carolina are a serious problem. Truck and commercial vehicle accidents lead to over 2,500 injuries annually in North Carolina. The number of fatal crashes involving trucks and buses has remained fairly steady in recent years, with nearly 150 such incidents occurring each year.
Examining the exact causes of a commercial vehicle accident in North Carolina is essential for determining liability and laying the groundwork for potential legal action. Some of the most common causes of these accidents include:
Operating a commercial vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is one of the most blatantly irresponsible actions a professional driver can take. Doing so causes delayed reactions, blurred vision, poor decision-making, and much more. This type of inhibited driving is even more malicious when you take into account the fact that many commercial vehicles weigh more than normal cars, which can cause more significant injuries.
Fatigue poses a serious challenge in the trucking industry. Long hours spent behind the wheel, strict deadlines, and a lack of sufficient rest breaks—sometimes even flouting federal Hours of Service Regulations—can all lead to driver fatigue. This exhaustion can significantly hinder a driver's ability to respond swiftly and make wise decisions on the road. If you have been involved in an accident with a cargo van or other type of commercial vehicle, and the driver mentions fatigue or working on little sleep, contact a commercial vehicle accident attorney in Elizabeth City, NC immediately.
Excessive speed is a common factor in accidents involving commercial vehicles. Large trucks and vans need more time and distance to stop, and driving at high speeds limits the driver's ability to respond to unforeseen circumstances.
Mechanical failures, such as brake issues, tire blowouts, and defects in steering or transmission systems, can increase the risk of accidents. To prevent these types of failures, it's essential to carry out regular maintenance and thorough inspections.
Improperly loaded or inadequately secured cargo poses significant risks, including the potential for loads to shift during transit. This movement can lead to cargo spills, which not only create hazardous conditions on the road but also compromise the stability of the commercial vehicle itself. As a result, the likelihood of accidents increases markedly, putting the driver, other road users, and nearby property at serious risk. Ensuring that cargo is properly balanced and securely fastened is crucial for maintaining vehicle stability and promoting safe transportation practices.
Other factors that can contribute to commercial vehicle accidents in North Carolina include the following:
To secure the compensation you are entitled to after a commercial vehicle accident, you've got to be able to show that the commercial driver, the company they work for, or another party was at fault for the incident. Your commercial vehicle accident attorney in Elizabeth City, NC from Nagle & Associates will gather critical evidence to demonstrate negligence and support your case. Some of the evidence our firm collects can include:
Every state in our nation has a statute of limitations that sets a deadline for injured victims to file personal injury lawsuits. In North Carolina, this generally means you have three years from the date of a commercial vehicle accident to initiate a lawsuit. However, there are exceptions to this timeline; for example, wrongful death claims must be filed within two years. If you try to pursue a lawsuit after the statute of limitations has expired, the court will likely dismiss your case.
It is essential to consult a lawyer as soon as possible if you've been injured in a commercial truck accident. The silver lining is that this can give your lawyer plenty of time to investigate the accident, gather evidence, and negotiate with the other parties for a fair settlement. Most cases are resolved outside of court, but if the other side doesn't offer you a satisfactory settlement, your lawyer can take the necessary steps to file a lawsuit and seek damages in court.
With decades of combined experience, lawyers from Nagle & Associates have answered some of the most frequently asked questions from clients going through commercial vehicle crash claims. Some of those questions include:
Getting in a wreck with a commercial vehicle is a harrowing experience. In the heat of the moment, it can be hard to concentrate and take the right steps. Here's what you should do:
No. It's never wise to deal with the commercial driver's insurance company or the insurance company that owns the commercial vehicle that hit you. Instead, allow a skilled attorney to manage all communications with insurance companies following an accident. The information you share with them is crucial to the outcome of your case, so it's best to avoid any potential missteps. By letting your lawyer take the lead in discussions, you can ensure that everything is handled correctly, which can increase the chances of maximizing your payout.
If a member of your immediate family has tragically died in a commercial vehicle accident in North Carolina, you might have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit. Our state's wrongful death law permits the family of someone who has lost their life due to another party's "wrongful act, neglect, or default" to seek financial compensation for their losses.
Compensation in such cases can cover the following:
Don't see your question listed above? Contact Nagle & Associates today to schedule your free consultation. It would be our pleasure to sit down with you, answer your questions, and explore your claim options.
When you're involved in a commercial vehicle accident, it can have devastating effects physically, mentally, and financially. The combination of injuries, pain, and a complex legal landscape can feel overwhelming. That's why you need a skilled commercial vehicle accident attorney in Elizabeth City, NC to stand by your side and guide you through the claims process.
At Nagle & Associates, we pride ourselves on vast experience, purpose-driven work, and a unique fee structure that sets us apart from other law firms. With our deep understanding of the insurance industry and our specialization in motor vehicle accident cases, we provide exceptional service designed to secure the best outcomes for our clients. Reach out to us today to find out how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
