Trucks in the United States can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and can be as long as 102 feet.  These large vehicles can, unfortunately, cause devastating accidents if their operators don’t know how to safely navigate the roads.

When a collision occurs, it’s important to get help from a truck accident lawyer who understands the complexities raised by crashes with commercial drivers. Canopy Legal can provide the help and support you need in these difficult situations.

To find out more about how our team of experienced and compassionate legal professionals can help you fight for justice after a truck crash, give us a call or contact us online today.

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Types of truck accidents

There are many different kinds of truck crashes you could become involved in, some of which differ from the types of crashes affecting drivers in passenger vehicles. Some of the most common types of truck crashes include:

1. Head-on accidents
2. Rear-end accidents
3. Sideswipe accidents
4. Underride accidents where a vehicle becomes trapped under a truck
5. Override accidents where the truck goes over the top of another car
6. Jackknife accidents where the trailer spins to the side from the tractor
7. Rollover crashes
8. Crashes resulting from falling debris

Drivers who don’t balance their loads, who fail to maintain their tires and air brakes, who take turns too quickly, or who otherwise operate their large trucks unsafely can create a serious risk of these and other types of truck crashes.

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Who is responsible for a truck crash?

In the aftermath of a truck accident, it’s important to determine who is to blame. Those responsible for causing the crash should be responsible for compensating you, and you want to identify all possible defendants so there is more insurance coverage to pay for all your losses.

Some of the different parties who could potentially be responsible for a truck crash include:

1. The driver of the truck
2. The trucker’s employer, either because the employer is negligent in its policies or practices (such as by not checking driver qualifications) or because of vicarious liability rules that hold companies responsible for on-the-job negligence of staff
3. The mechanics or those responsible for maintaining the truck
4. The truck manufacturer if there is a defect in the vehicle itself
5. Those responsible for road design and maintenance if there are problems on the road that cause the crash to happen

Sometimes, there are multiple defendants. If that’s the case, you can pursue a claim for compensation from anyone who was responsible for the crash and your resulting injuries.

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What can a truck crash accident lawyer do for you?

Truck accident cases are complicated because of vicarious liability rules, questions about whether a trucker is an employee or independent contractor, and pressure from large trucking companies to settle quickly.

Large trucking companies often have their own investigators helping them to try to avoid liability for losses.

You need an advocate on your side to help you navigate these difficult issues. Canopy Legal is here for you. Our experienced truck accident lawyers can:

1. Assist you in identifying all defendants so you can make sure there’s money available to pay for your losses.
2. Help you to gather evidence including driver logs of hours on duty, truck maintenance logs, and trucking company policy manuals – as well as standard post-crash evidence like witness statements, police reports, medical records, and expert witnesses.
3. Conduct an investigation to counter the trucking company’s claims: Trucking companies sometimes send their own investigators to the crash scene to try to disprove liability. They may also withhold black box data, or data from onboard recorders that sheds light on the crash cause. An experienced truck accident lawyer will help ensure this doesn’t occur.
4. Negotiate a settlement with the insurers representing trucking companies with the goal of helping you resolve your claim without a trial.
5. Represent you in court when a fair settlement isn’t on the table to help you get the money you truly deserve.

Canopy Legal does all these tasks and more for our clients, fighting hard to get justice.

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Why turn to Canopy Legal for help after a truck accident?

If you or someone you love was involved in a truck crash, you deserve a committed and compassionate advocate with solid legal experience.

Canopy Legal has a history of fighting for injured victims and a commitment to being there for you at every step of your case. Our resources are those of a large firm so we can stand up to trucking companies, conduct thorough investigations and build strong claims. But our commitment is to treat your case like you're our most important client and to be there for you when you need us.

We also don’t charge legal fees unless we win, and your consultation is always free. To find out more about how our firm can fight for you, give us a call or contact us online today.