Attorneys for Commercial Vehicle and Truck Accidents

If you have been injured or lost a loved one due to wrongful death in a commercial vehicle or truck accident, you may be wondering how to proceed so you can receive the compensation needed to continue treatment and handle lost wages. Oldham & Delcamp has handled commercial vehicle and truck accident claims and is prepared to do the work necessary to ensure you receive optimal recovery.

What is a Commercial Vehicle?

You may be wondering if you were even involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle. This category includes:

• 18 wheelers, tractor trailers, semi-tractor trailers or trucks
• Delivery trucks
• Dump trucks
• Tow trucks and lawn maintenance vehicles
• City buses and private tour buses
• Construction vehicles and equipment

Why is this different from a regular personal injury case?

In a regular accident, liability is generally limited to the two or more drivers involved. However in an accident involving a commercial vehicle, depending on how the accident occurred, any of the following persons can be liable:

• The commercial driver, who may be an employee of the business who owns the vehicle or a contractor of a trucking company
• The trucking company, who may be a contractor of a larger company
• Any third party, like the manufacturer or hazardous materials a truck is carrying or a worker responsible for the safety of the vehicle and making sufficient repairs

Each person who is or could be liable will have a different insurance policy and each could be a source of recovery for your injuries. This is important because commercial vehicle are more likely to cause severe accidents that cause permanent injuries which require lifelong treatment with costs they are liable for a share of. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you recover against these different entities and present your claim to the insurance companies. No matter how nice the representatives from the company seem, you should not try to handle this type of claim on your own. They may try to offer you an unfair settlement or make it seem as if you have more fault in the accident than you do, and if you accept this offer it will be final. Read about our Insurance Settlement Blog.

What causes a commercial vehicle to have accidents 

Commercial vehicle accidents are also different because of how attorneys prove that driver was at fault or at greater fault in the incident. There are a few familiar reasons these vehicles have accidents such as driver inattention and fatigue, unsafe driving practices like phone use, and failure to obey traffic controls. However, a number of accidents also occur due to mechanical problems with the vehicle such as brake failure and tire issues, unfamiliarity with the road causing wide turns and sudden maneuvers, as well as inexperience behind the wheel causing bad reactions to driving in traffic and poor weather conditions.

All of these are reasons the commercial driver may have fault in the accident and be liable for a share of your damages. They are also reasons to seek counsel with an experienced personal injury attorney because you may not discover them without a proper investigation or even a lawsuit against the driver requiring them to answer questions about their vehicle, experience, and conditions that day.

Claims you can make against those at fault

When making a claim for damages against a commercial vehicle driver, their employer, or any entities at fault, you can demand compensation for the following:

• Medical expenses, both past and future anticipated expenses
• Lost wages and future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Vehicle repair and loss of value

Call us to discuss your case

Car accidents where a commercial vehicle’s driver may be at fault can be complex cases and it is important to have an experienced attorney to represent you against the insurance companies. At Oldham & Delcamp, we will take the time to carefully evaluate the accident and advise you of your rights to seek compensation. The experienced attorneys of Oldham & Delcamp are prepared to thoroughly evaluate your case and determine how to pursue your claim.

We will do the work of gathering records related to your claim such as medical and insurance policies, investigate the accident, and negotiate with the insurance company. If settlement negotiations are unsuccessful, we are prepared to go to trial and present your case to a jury.