Call Us 919-240-4054Being injured in an 18-wheeler accident in North Carolina can change your life. Collisions with commercial trucks often result in severe injuries. Busy roads, such as I-40, I-85, and I-95, expose us all to dangers such as distracted drivers. Knowing the right steps to take immediately after an accident can protect your health, safety, and legal rights under North Carolina law.
Immediate Steps at the Accident Scene
Ensure Safety First: If possible, move to a safe area. Turn on hazard lights and set up emergency warning triangles, if available.
Call Emergency Services: Dial 911 immediately. In North Carolina, a police report is crucial for any future legal claims.
Seek Medical Attention: Some injuries may not be immediately apparent. Make sure you receive thorough medical attention after truck accident, even if you feel fine initially. Documenting your injuries is critical to preserving your potential claim.
Documenting the Accident
Gather Evidence:
- Take photographs of the accident scene
- Capture vehicle damage
- Photograph road conditions and traffic signs
- Collect contact information from the truck driver and any witnesses
Preserve Information about the truck:
- Note the trucking company’s name
- Get the truck’s DOT number, if possible
- Record the driver’s commercial license information
Do Not Admit Fault: Limit conversations about the accident. Stick to factual information when speaking with police.
Understanding the Law in North Carolina
Negligence: You-the injured person- must prove that the truck driver did not follow the rules of the road, and that you were harmed as a result. You will to overcome the outdated law of contributory negligence, and show that you didn’t do anything to contribute to the crash. North Carolina is one of the few states where you can lose a lawsuit if you are found to have contributed to the accident, even if the negligent truck driver was obviously at fault.
Statute of Limitations: In North Carolina, you have three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Understanding Compensation
A person injured in an accident involving a commercial truck may be entitled to recover:
- past and future medical expenses;
- past and future loss of income;
- past and future pain, suffering, and emotional distress; and, in some cases,
- punitive damages
Why Legal Representation Matters
Federal and state transportation regulations, insurance policies, and issues of corporate liability create challenges in many crashes. Legal representation can be crucial to get the maximum compensation for your injury.
An experienced truck accident attorney can:
- Investigate the circumstances of the crash
- Obtain important evidence like driver logs, truck data, and vehicle maintenance records
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Represent you in court
- Respond to the negligent truck driver’s claim that you contributed to the crash
We are here to help
At Johnson & Groninger, our personal injury and wrongful death attorneys understand that the losses you suffer after a crash are heartbreaking. We fight for the compensation you need for your family to move forward. We will protect your rights and demand total value for your claim.
For more information, call Johnson & Groninger PLLC at 919-737-7897.
