Truck Accidents
The next generation of personal injury lawyers
Our team of Connecticut attorneys is changing the personal injury field, and we will not back down from any fight.
Personal Injury
I consulted with Brooke and found her to be genuine, informative, knowledgeable and a person who would advocate for me. Her demeanor and compassion made it very evident that should I ever need further assistance, she is truly the one I would hire.”- JOAN
I just want everyone to know that I had Brooke represent me after a big box firm treated me like just another paycheck like I was nothing. I’m glad I made the swap.”- STEPHEN
Brooke gave me her cell number and usually returns my call that day or the next if I don’t reach her. Brooke is the type of lawyer I want in my corner!”- WENDY
Connecticut Truck Accident Lawyers
Comprehensive Legal Support in Your Time of Need
In the event of an injury or wrongful death caused by a serious truck accident, you deserve the fullest compensation available to cover medical and rehabilitation costs, lost or reduced income, and restitution for physical, mental, or emotional suffering. Most accidents regarding a tractor trailer can be complex and devastating for all parties involved. The truck accident lawyers at Goff Law Group - West Hartford will help you get through this difficult process and get the compensation you deserve. Our tractor trailer accident attorneys can take care of all the details and represent your interests to all parties. You deserve the time to recover in peace; we want to make that possible for you.
Don’t go up against major trucking companies and corporations in Connecticut alone. Retain a truck accident attorney from Goff Law Group - West Hartford to improve your chances of success and to enter into settlement negotiations with confidence. We have years of experience handling commercial truck accident claims throughout the state and know how to strategize your particular claim. We can help you understand what caused your crash and who might be legally responsible for compensating your losses. Remember: you don’t have to go through this alone. Our attorneys are here to help. We’re proud to fight on your behalf.
It all starts with a free legal evaluation of your case. Call 203-399-0000 today.
Why Do Truck Accidents Happen?
Unlike regular passenger vehicles, loaded commercial trucks and tractor trailers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds (or greater with the proper permits). They carry all types of cargo, often in long trailers and 18-wheelers. Large trucks operate much differently than smaller cars, with different braking systems and capabilities. Truck drivers are also unique, with special job-related considerations such as long hours on the road. The things that make the trucking industry unique in transportation are also what make it so dangerous.
The most common causes of large truck accidents in Connecticut include:
- Truck driver drowsiness or inattention
- Drunk or drugged truck drivers
- Distracted or negligent truckers
- Poor vehicle maintenance and breakdowns
- Improper cargo loading or securement
- Defective truck parts
Human error is a common factor present in the majority of trucking accidents. For the most part, it is the trucking company that is legally responsible for the safety of drivers, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and others on the roadway. The company must take certain actions to ensure trucking safety, including obeying laws from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Breaking a law or breaching a duty of care can easily result in a deadly traffic accident and trucking company liability.
Who Is the Defendant in Your Truck Accident Claim?
To pursue financial recovery for a truck or tractor trailer accident in Connecticut, you will need to figure out who is liable, or legally responsible, for causing the crash. This party will become the defendant in your personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit. The defendant can be a number of different parties. A single claim can also have more than one defendant.
An investigation of your accident can help you get to the bottom of how and why your accident occurred and which party/parties might be liable. The legal team at the Goff Law Group can hire investigators to look into your truck accident.
Possible defendants following a commercial truck accident may include:
- The trucking company
- A third-party driver
- The owner of the commercial truck
- The city in charge of roadway maintenance
- The truck driver
- The cargo loading team
- A product manufacturer
The trucking company will be vicariously liable for the actions of its truck drivers, including truck driver negligence and recklessness. The company is also accountable if it made a mistake that contributed to the crash, such as hiring a driver with a history of drunk driving. Naming the defendant is one of the first steps you will need to complete the road to recovery. Connecticut is a fault state, meaning you must identify who was at fault for your crash to pursue damages from that person or entity.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
In the event of an accident, remember to stay calm and follow a response plan. The first and most important step is to stop, get off the road safely if possible, and report the crash. If you can, get your vehicle completely off the road and set up road signals or flares to alert other drivers to the crash. If you cannot move your vehicle, keep it where it is but remove yourself and any passengers from traffic (if you can safely do so). Do not leave the scene of the accident. Next you should report the crash. Be sure to call the police so they can make a report for later insurance claims, as well as medical responders to check everyone involved for injuries. Let first responders examine you for potential injuries, as adrenaline can mask an injury that will manifest later.
When collecting information about the accident, it's important to be thorough and to speak wisely. Check for any witnesses who might have seen the accident firsthand; you can either collect their statement yourself or ask for their contact information in case more details are needed later. Get contact and insurance information from the other drivers and use your phone or a camera to take pictures of your injuries, the vehicles, and the roadway where the accident occurred. Be sure to document any dangerous conditions that might have been present, road signs, skid marks, and which directions the vehicles are facing. Finally, collect information from the police officer; you can ask for a copy of the accident report along with their contact information.
When speaking with the police, other drivers, and insurance adjusters after a truck accident, it's important to be careful what you say in case it's used against you later. Avoid admitting fault, even if you think the accident was your fault. If your insurance adjuster asks for a recorded or written statement, decline until you have spoken with an attorney.
After a serious truck or tractor trailer accident, Goff Law Group stands ready to represent you in this fight, taking on the trucking and insurance companies on your behalf. We look forward to discussing your case during a free consultation in one of our offices in Stamford, Shelton, New Haven, or Hartford.
Were You Recently in a Tractor Trailer Accident?
Tractor trailer accidents are very different from car accidents for many reasons, including different safety laws, specific rules regarding safe operation and maintenance to prevent a truck crash, and the vehicle and cargo size. Because of the size and weight of a big truck, those who tangle with them have a higher risk of suffering catastrophic injuries or even death.
Many 18-wheeler accidents can be prevented, whether they are due to the negligence or recklessness of the truck driver or from a large trucking company so caught up in their bottom line that they neglected the safety issues of their trucks. A lack of proper training contributes to some truck crashes.
If you or a loved one was recently in a tractor trailer accident, don't wait any longer to get the help you deserve. Contact our firm today for a free consultation or to learn what we can do for you.
A brighter future starts with a phone call to our friendly, knowledgeable truck and tractor trailer accident attorneys at 203-399-0000. Contact our firm for a free consultation today.
How our big-rig accident attorneys can help
Have you been in a truck accident involving an 18-wheeler, a big rig, or some other commercial vehicle in Connecticut? Goff Law Group stands ready to help you. If you choose us to represent you, our Hartford truck accident lawyers will aggressively pursue just compensation for your injuries while ensuring clear communication; you can always know where you stand legally when you work with our team.
Focus on getting your life back to normal and trust us to:
- Investigate every aspect of the accident
- Prepare the best case for your insurance claims
- Always represent your best interests
Whether it is the driver’s employer, the shipping company, or the truck’s manufacturer, we will work hard to discover who is at fault and hold the negligent party responsible.
Don’t face the insurance or trucking companies alone. Goff Law Group is here for you and your family after a harmful truck accident in Connecticut. If you or a loved one suffered personal injuries or property damage in a recent commercial trucking accident, contact us. We will provide you with a free consultation to discuss your crash and your legal opportunities moving forward. It may surprise you to learn that you could be eligible for significant financial compensation from the trucking company or another party.
The next generation of personal injury law firms
Goff Law Group is a law firm made up of experienced attorneys with various litigation backgrounds and skills. We focus all of our efforts on the plaintiff personal injury field of law and we do not practice in any other specialties. We maintain this focus because this field of law changes every day and you deserve an attorney who is a master of personal injury rather than a jack of all trades.
We invite you to have a cup of coffee with us and see for yourself how we are different. You deserve more. You deserve the modern-day law firm – you deserve Goff Law Group.