Any collision with a truck can be very devastating. And the cases resulting from them can be very complex and hard-fought, as insurance companies and trucking companies fight hard to avoid paying large settlements and verdicts.

The Law Offices of C. Douglas Maynard, Jr., PLLC can fight back. We offer free initial consultations to families whose loved ones have suffered catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. Although headquartered in Winston-Salem, our practice extends to accidents occurring on roads throughout North Carolina, including I-40, I-77, I-73, I-74, I-85, I-74, I-95, I-240, I-285, I- 440, I-485, I-495, I-587, Hwy 220, Hwy 421, Hwy 52, and more. Contact us immediately.

How Truck / Tractor-Trailer Wreck Cases Work

Any time you sue to get compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, etc., you are a plaintiff in an auto accident case. Your opponents are defendants, and in truck accident involving a commercial motor vehicle there are often multiple defendants: a truck driver, a trucking company, shipper, and / or broker, and possibly multiple insurance companies.

As soon as an accident involving a semi-truck takes place, truck drivers are required to call it in. The insurance company then immediately sends an adjuster, attorney and /or an accident reconstructionist to the scene. This can give the trucking and insurance companies a huge jump on attorneys representing the other people involved.

The insurance company and trucking company will try to gather evidence that supports their side — you need someone who will build a case for you. In North Carolina, if you cannot prove that you were not at fault for an accident, you cannot collect. The sooner you get a lawyer working on your behalf, the better your case will be. Failure to hire an attorney immediately may result in valuable evidence being lost.

Insurance Coverage Limits

The limit for tractor trailer insurance is at least $750,000. If hazardous materials at involve, the limit required is higher. Frequently, truckers carry more insurance coverage than the minimum required. Depending on the facts of the case there may be additional coverage through the trailer (in addition to the tractor unit), the broker, and the shipper. This amount can cover everything from pain and suffering, lost wages, permanency, medical bill to funeral costs.