North Carolina Truck Accident Statistics

Compassionate Raleigh Attorney for Individuals Injured in Big Rig Crashes

Commercial vehicles play a vital role in transportation and industry, but they pose a serious risk of harm when they are involved in an accident and tend to cause significantly more damage than other motor vehicle crashes. As shown by North Carolina truck accident statistics, truck drivers and trucking companies often cause accidents because of errors, safety violations, and other careless conduct. At Nagle & Associates, Raleigh truck accident lawyer Carl Nagle brings experience and dedicated advocacy to his representation of victims and their families. Our law firm only handles serious motor vehicle collision cases, and before focusing on victim advocacy, Mr. Nagle worked within the insurance industry. His ability to anticipate defense tactics by commercial insurers and skillfully present evidence of negligent or reckless conduct has helped to recover hundreds of millions of dollars for victims throughout the state, including people in Asheville, Winston-Salem, and Wilmington.

Pursue Damages for the Full Extent of Harm After a Truck Accident in North Carolina

According to an early release by the U.S. Department of Transportation, over 4,300 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes in 2015. This reflects an increase in the number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes from 3,749 to 4,050. North Carolina truck accident statistics set forth by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveal that in this state alone, there were over 100 fatalities in large truck crashes in 2015. In 2014, meanwhile, there were over 111,000 people who were injured in large truck crashes throughout the United States. Statistics from the NHTSA also indicate that in the majority of truck accidents, drivers or passengers in vehicles other than the truck suffer fatalities.

People who are hurt in a truck accident may pursue a legal claim against the truck driver and the trucking company, as well as other potential entities, such as local governments in charge of road conditions. When the careless or negligent conduct of an individual or entity leads to an accident and harm, they may be held accountable through a personal injury claim. The victim would be the plaintiff, alleging that the defendants caused their injuries.

Weekdays account for the majority of fatal crashes involving large trucks. Drivers are expected to complete deliveries, and truckers who speed or recklessly abuse over-the-counter medications, for example, may be found negligent and held accountable if this conduct causes an accident. Fatigue is a common cause of truck accidents, since drivers are required to complete their routes in a specific period of time and may choose to forego sleep in order to meet deadlines.

Trucking companies also may be held legally at fault for negligent hiring if they knew or should have known that an employee was unfit to drive the truck, and their negligent hiring was a substantial factor that caused the victim’s harm. For example, if a driver has a particular risk, such as driving while intoxicated, and a victim was injured in an accident in which the driver was intoxicated, the business may bear the responsibility for the employee’s conduct.

In some situations, the entity that handles truck maintenance may be responsible for the harm, such as if regular maintenance was not conducted. Worn brake pads affect a truck driver’s ability to stop and may contribute to a crash. In this circumstance, the victim might pursue a claim against the employer or the company performing maintenance.

In the event of a fatal truck accident in North Carolina, certain family members may file a wrongful death claim to seek damages from the truck driver or company’s wrongful act or negligence. Damages in a wrongful death claim may include medical expenses, compensation for pain and suffering, and compensation for the loss of financial and personal support.

After demonstrating the liability of a truck driver or trucking company, plaintiffs in a personal injury lawsuit may recover damages that serve to compensate them for the harm resulting from the accident. Medical documentation of the injuries and the extent of future medical care is necessary to help a victim recover appropriate compensation for their harm. The emotional trauma and pain and suffering following an accident is not easily quantifiable, but it is a type of non-economic harm that may be recovered by a truck accident victim.

Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Raleigh or Elsewhere in NC

North Carolina truck accident statistics demonstrate that victims throughout the state suffer serious injuries and fatalities annually. Raleigh attorney Carl Nagle and the team of professionals at Nagle & Associates are familiar with the legal evidence and documentation necessary to prove the impact of truck accident injuries. We can help you understand your legal rights and minimize the financial burden that accompanies these collisions. Our firm charges a lower percentage of a victim’s recovery than others. We represent residents of Raleigh, Asheville, Winston-Salem, Wilmington, Greensboro, Charlotte, Hickory, and other areas of Forsyth, Wake, Mecklenburg, Guilford, Brunswick, Cumberland, Catawba, and New Hanover Counties. Call our office at (800) 411-1583 or use our online form to set up a free case evaluation with a commercial vehicle collision attorney.