Attorney
Truck accidents are some of the deadliest hazards motorists face on the roadway. Due to their enormous size and weight when compared to regular vehicles, semi trucks can cause catastrophic amounts of damage if involved in an accident on the road. Truck drivers and trucking companies are responsible for driving safely and maintaining their commercial trucks. If they fail to do so, they recklessly endanger the lives of everyone who shares the road with them, including other drivers, cyclists, motorcycle riders and pedestrians. Still, there are cases of truck driver error where these incidents do occur.
For more than 30 years, each Washington DC truck accident and injury lawyer at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P. has stood up for the victims of truck accidents and their families in Washington, D.C. We fight to hold negligent truck drivers, trucking companies and part manufacturers accountable for the harm they cause. If you are dealing with the consequences of a crash involving an 18 wheeler, talk to an accident lawyer from our firm today.
The Importance of a Truck Accident Investigation After a Crash
After a truck accident, the evidence you need to prove your case will quickly start to disappear. Many do not know how important it is to have a qualified truck accident attorney in DC on their side who can begin an investigation immediately, while you or your loved one takes the time to heal.
One of the issues that will need to be investigated is whether or not truck driver negligence caused the accident. If you were injured as a result of a driver’s irresponsible behavior, you may be entitled to compensation from the driver or the trucking company.
Common causes of truck driver negligence include:
- Driver fatigue
- Drivers operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Speeding
- Running a stop sign or red light
- Aggressive driving
- Lack of proper training or qualifications
- Driver distraction
- Running off the road or out of the proper lane
- Failure to signal when switching lanes or dangerous lane changes
- Rollovers caused by failure to judge turns and unbalanced or unsecured tractor-trailer cargo
All it takes is one careless action from negligent truck driver to change the lives of a person and a family forever. If you suffered serious injuries in this type of accident, it may be in your best interest to contact a trucking accident attorney at our firm to learn about the legal remedies available to you and your family. While gaining monetary damages does not make right the wrong you have suffered, it can provide the financial support you need during your recovery process.
When the physical damages in a truck accident prove fatal to those involved, our firm provides experienced guidance to ensure you make the best legal decisions while also dealing with overwhelming grief. While we understand that no amount of money can make up for the wrongful death of a loved one in a fatal truck accident, money is the only type of compensation the justice system can give you—so we fight for the most favorable outcome possible.
Who is At Fault if Mechanical Failure Causes the Truck Accident and not Truck Driver Error?
Driver negligence is the leading cause of truck accidents, but not all truck accidents result from driver error. When a key part fails on a truck, it can turn the road into an extremely dangerous place. Defective brakes, tires and other auto components can also cause these wrecks. Common truck mechanical failures and truck defects include:
- Blown tires
- Brake failures
- Suspension failure
- Headlight outage
- Steering loss
- Hydroplaning with defective tires
- Stuck accelerators
- Malfunctioning windshield wipers
- Missing mirrors
- Broken headlights and turn signals
Mechanical failures can occur as a result of improper or poor work done by a mechanic or from negligence by a trucking company trying to save money by not performing the needed maintenance on their vehicles. If either of these parties are responsible for the accident occurring, your trucking accident lawyer must work quickly to gather and preserve the evidence necessary for a successful claim. This includes obtaining any electronic data after the crash, such as the driver’s logbook or black box from the truck.
With our accident and injury attorneys on your side, we can immediately issue a legal hold by sending a “Spoliation of Evidence” letter to the involved parties. This would make the intentional destruction or tampering of evidence beneficial to your case a punishable offense.
Find a Truck Accident Attorney in Washington, D.C.
If you suffered serious injuries or your loved one died in a truck accident, you deserve justice. Through legal action, you may be able to obtain compensation to pay for your medical treatments, rehabilitation, physical therapy, lost wages and pain and suffering. The truck accident attorneys at our firm work alongside top experts in the field of truck accident reconstruction, economists and medical doctors to ensure those involved in the lawsuit know we are serious and prepared to take your case to court if we believe a settlement offer is unfair.
With our contingency fee agreement, you have nothing to lose by pursuing legal action. We take on all the financial risk by paying the upfront legal costs, and we only receive legal fees if your claim is successful. Get free attorney advice from a truck accident law firm when you contact our firm online or call our office in DC today.