Thunder Bay Truck Accident Lawyer
Accidents involving trucks can cause severe injuries. Due to the comparatively greater size and weight of trucks, when collisions occur with smaller passenger vehicles, they have the potential to cause substantial damage to both the car and its occupants.
If you were injured in a Thunder Bay truck accident, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical expenses and other damages resulting from your collision. A Thunder Bay truck accident lawyer may be able to help you pursue accountability and restitution on your behalf.
To do so, a Thunder Bay truck accident lawyer may take a number of actions, including:
- Compile and analyze various forms of evidence to prove the other party’s liability
- Communicating with other parties, including insurance companies, on your behalf
- Assisting with your insurance claim for accident benefits
- Appealing unfair insurance company fault determinations
- Negotiating settlements on your behalf
- Representing your case at trial, if necessary
Common Injuries Resulting from Truck Accident
According to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO), in 2019 large trucks were involved in more than 2,100 accidents in the province resulting in injuries or death. Truck accidents can cause fatalities, as well severe, often catastrophic injuries. Common injuries sustained in accidents with large trucks include:
- Broken and fractured bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Scars, burns, and lacerations
- Head trauma
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Organ damage
- Whiplash
If you’ve been involved in an accident caused by a truck, seeking immediate medical attention can be crucial. You may experience shock after an accident, which may temporarily delay or diminish the severity of your injuries. That means that injuries sustained in an accident may not seem serious at first, but could result in significant pain hours or even days after the collision. Seeking treatment immediately following a collision can help ensure that your injuries are properly diagnosed and you receive the appropriate medical treatment as soon as possible.
Establishing Fault for Truck Accidents
If a truck driver’s negligence caused your accident, the driver or their employer may be liable for damages you incurred as a result of injuries you sustained in the collision. Examples of negligent driver behaviour include:
- Distracted driving, including texting while driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Other violations of traffic laws
In some situations, third parties could also be considered liable for your accident. Manufacturers of faulty mechanical components or transportation companies aware of their employee’s record of negligent behaviour on the road are examples of third parties whose own negligence may have contributed to the circumstances resulting in your collision.
Following a collision with a truck, your insurance company may conduct an investigation to determine which driver or drivers are responsible for the accident. Based on the findings of these investigations, insurance companies may assign degrees or percentages of fault to all drivers involved in the collision. If you are determined to be even partially at fault for your accident, the amount of accident benefits available to you may be reduced.
If you disagree with your insurance company’s fault determination, a Thunder Bay truck accident lawyer may be able to help you appeal the insurance company’s decision.
Recovering Damages for Truck Accident Injuries
If the truck driver responsible for your accident is determined to be the primary cause of your collision, a Thunder Bay truck accident lawyer may be able to help you recover the following costs from the driver’s insurance company:
- Direct Compensation Property Damage (DCPD)
- Medical expenses
- Disability income
In some cases, truck accidents can result in permanent, debilitating injuries that could impact a victim’s life, and their livelihood. If you have sustained catastrophic injuries, as defined by Ontario’s Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule, as a result of an accident caused by a negligent truck driver, a Thunder Bay truck accident lawyer may be able to help you pursue additional benefits through legal action against the responsible parties. Examples of catastrophic injuries include:
- Paraplegia or tetraplegia
- Amputation or severe mobility impairment of the arm
- Loss of vision in both eyes
- Traumatic brain injuries
- A combination of physical injuries or behavioural impairments that causes more than 55% of an individual’s total immobilization or impairment
Injuries sustained in truck accidents have the potential to significantly impact a victim’s life and the lives of their family members. Truck accident injuries could limit a victim’s ability to return to work, live independently, or engage in the same activities they enjoyed before their accident. With the assistance of a Thunder Bay truck accident lawyer, you may be able to recover compensation for the damages you’ve incurred as a result of your accident, including pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Call Preszler Injury Lawyers Today
If you were injured in a collision with a truck, a truck accident lawyer serving Thunder Bay may be able to help you pursue financial compensation for damages you incurred. Call Preszler Injury Lawyers today for a free, initial consultation about legal options that might be available to you.
