Skilled Legal Representation For Morehead Truck Accident Claims

When a large commercial truck causes an accident, the injuries to the victim are often catastrophic. The massive size and weight of semi trucks compared to a sedan or pickup truck means that the victim’s medical bills, lost wages and other damages can prove life-altering.

This is where we come in. We are Murrelle, Hughes & Majstoravich, P.A., a personal injury law firm representing the victims of auto accidents. Since 1981, our team of experienced truck accident attorneys has recovered millions of dollars for clients in Morehead City and throughout North Carolina.

Using Teamwork And Keeping You Out Of Court

Our car accident lawyers combine their knowledge by working as a team. Because we take cases selectively, we always provide personalized attention to your claim. Just a few cases our firm regularly accepts include accidents involving:

• Semi trucks
• Tractor-trailers
• 18-wheelers
• Dump trucks
• Garbage trucks
• Other kinds of commercial trucks

We understand that you might be hesitant to sue the truck driver who caused the accident. That’s okay – we have experience reaching fair settlements out of court to keep things friendly and reduce the drama. An auto accident insurance lawyer from our team can truly help in these situations.

What Is The Statute Of Limitations On Truck Accidents In North Carolina?

After a truck accident in North Carolina, the statute of limitations (timeframe allowed to pursue compensation) states that you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. This time limit is rarely extended, so do not wait to file a claim.

What Are The Most Common Types Of Truck Accidents In North Carolina?

Common types of accidents that are unique to trucks include:

• Underride accidents: When smaller motor vehicles hit the back of a tractor-trailer, they can slide under the trailer and become lodged. Sometimes, the top of the car can be crushed or sliced off. This is one of the most serious types of accidents, as underride accidents can crush drivers and passengers.
• Jackknife accidents: These occur in semi trucks and tractor-trailers, both of which have cabs and trailers. A jackknife accident occurs when the trailer swings toward the cab as a result of improper breaking. These accidents typically result in a multivehicle pileup, especially if the truck is blocking multiple lanes in the road.
• Rollover accidents: One of the deadliest accidents for both truck drivers and other motor vehicle drivers alike. A rollover occurs when a driver loses control of their truck after a tire blowout, from speeding or overloaded cargo, causing the cab to roll onto its side or its roof. This often pins drivers in the vehicle and crushes any cars within its path.
• Cargo-related accidents: Truck accidents can happen when they’re overloaded, or their cargo is improperly secured. Cargo that spills out onto the road can create hazards for other drivers, especially if that cargo is toxic and causes explosions or fires. Overloaded trucks can also roll over onto their sides or roofs when making sharp turns or speeding.

While many truck accidents are caused by factors like driver fatigue or equipment failure, some are tragically the result of drunk driving. Our firm also handles drunk driving accident cases involving commercial vehicles.

What Should I Do After A Truck Accident In North Carolina?

After a truck accident, it’s important that once you’ve sought medical attention you collect as much evidence at the scene as possible, including information from the truck driver involved. Beyond taking photos of the vehicle damage and your injuries and gathering witness information, you also need to approach the other vehicles involved.

Information you need to collect from the truck driver includes:

• The driver’s name, address, phone number and email address
• The driver’s insurance company and policy number
• The driver’s license number
• The name and contact information for the driver’s employer and trucking company
• The truck license plate number and other identifying information

We understand that when victims are involved in these types of accidents, it’s common for evidence and critical information to go undocumented. That’s why our team of car accident claim lawyers can investigate your accident and collect any evidence you don’t already have in order to strengthen your claim and prove truck driver liability.

Can You Sue The Trucking Company Along With The Driver?

Yes, it’s often possible to look beyond just the truck driver for liable parties. Depending on the specifics of your case, we may be able to pursue compensation from the driver’s employer, the loading company, the truck’s maintenance company or even parts manufacturers. Our experienced attorneys explore every possible avenue of compensation to maximize your recovery. In some cases, you might find yourself dealing with uninsured or underinsured motorists, even in commercial vehicle accidents. Our team is experienced in handling these complex situations as well.

Can You Recover Compensation If You Weren’t Wearing A Seatbelt?

While wearing a seatbelt is mandatory in North Carolina, you can still recover compensation if you were injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. However, be aware that the defense may argue for reduced compensation if you weren’t wearing a seatbelt. Our team of experienced attorneys can help address these complex situations to ensure you receive fair compensation.

Do You Need A Lawyer If The Insurance Company Offers A Settlement?

Even if the insurance company seems cooperative, it’s always beneficial to have a lawyer on your side. Insurance companies prioritize their own interests and may offer a lowball settlement. Our attorneys can ensure you receive a fair offer that fully compensates you for your injuries and losses. We have years of experience negotiating with insurance companies and will fight to protect your rights and interests.

Attorneys Fees That You Can Afford

We understand the costs often associated with attorney fees in a North Carolina truck accident case. We offer a contingency fee arrangement, which means you pay a percentage only if we recover for you. Our contingency fee is much less than our competitors in the area.

Our personal injury lawyers provide free initial personal injury consultations. It is our priority to give you excellent legal service without putting you under undue financial strain.

Make A Free Consultation With A Team Of Truck Accident Lawyers

The group of personal injury attorneys and auto accident insurance lawyers at Murrelle, Hughes & Majstoravich, P.A., have the compassion, knowledge and experience to seek compensation for your damages. To schedule a free initial truck accident injury consultation, please call us at 252-515-7036 or send us an email.