Any collision between a tractor-trailer and a passenger car is likely to cause serious injuries to everyone in the smaller vehicle. Side-impact truck accidents in Lowell and throughout the state are uniquely dangerous because of the conditions they tend to occur under and the relative lack of safety features protecting occupants from lateral force in modern cars.
Because they are so dangerous and often cause long-lasting or life-threatening injuries, these types of collisions can also be difficult to seek fair financial recovery for. However, by working with one of our knowledgeable truck injury attorneys at the Law Offices of David W. Holub, you could pursue a claim tailored to your specific situation to seek the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Side-Impact Truck Crashes
In Lowell, side-impact truck collisions generally take one of two forms. The first is a T-bone accident involving the front of a semi-truck hitting the doors or side paneling of a passenger car at roughly a 90-degree angle. The other is a sideswipe, which involves one vehicle swerving into the other while both are traveling in the same direction.
T-bone accidents most commonly occur at intersections between local roads near a truck’s origin or destination. They can stem from standard moving violations, such as running red lights, or from more irresponsible driving, such as distracted driving or driving under the influence.
Distraction and intoxication can likewise lead to sideswipe crashes, which most commonly occur on major state and interstate highways with two or more traffic lanes traveling in each direction. However, operational errors, such as forgetting to check blind spots before changing lanes, may also lead to this kind of accident. As with other traffic offenses, that kind of misconduct could justify a lawsuit if it is the main and direct cause of an otherwise preventable accident.
What Roadblocks Could Legal Counsel Help You Avoid?
Trucking companies in Lowell will almost never initially accept civil liability for a side-impact wreck involving one of their drivers. One of the most common defense strategies those companies use against such lawsuits is comparative fault. In brief, courts can assign an injured person a percentage of comparative fault to account for how they contributed to the accident through their own negligent behavior. The court can subsequently reduce the amount of compensation available to them or even bar them from recovery altogether based on that percentage.
State law also sets strict filing deadlines for personal injury claims involving truck wrecks. Most people have no more than two years to file suit after initially sustaining harm. Our team could provide irreplaceable help with ensuring that these and other legal obstacles do not keep you from getting the restitution you need.
Contact a Lowell Attorney for Assistance With Your Side-Impact Truck Crash Claim
T-bone and sideswipe collisions involving tractor-trailers tend to happen under very different circumstances. However, the injuries and losses these side-impact truck accidents in Lowell may cause are often equally severe. They can be equally challenging to file a civil suit over, even when it seems obvious to you that a negligent trucker is to blame for your wreck.
Representation from seasoned legal counsel could make a good deal of difference in how you navigate the civil litigation process and your chance of securing a favorable outcome. Contact the Law Offices of David W. Holub today to learn what we could do to help you during a free consultation.