A news report in North Carolina states that tractor trailers and heavy truck accidents in the state result in more fatalities than crashes involving passenger vehicles. It is a worrying conclusion, given that there has been a rise in truck accidents in the state. If you or a loved one is involved in a truck accident resulting in wrongful death, it pays to know how the law protects you and ensures you can seek justice for such an accident.
What Causes Truck Accidents in NC?
Due to their size and weight, many factors can lead to truck accidents in North Carolina. The simplest fault from the driver or the vehicle could have serious and fatal consequences.
These are the most common cause of truck accidents in NC:
- Driver error
- Distracted driving
- Sleepy drivers
- Poor maintenance
- Truckers failing to consider their blind spots
- Inadequate driver training
- Improper cargo loading
Who is Liable in a Truck Accident?
The liability in a truck accident is more complicated than with crashes involving passenger vehicles. Therefore, you need the legal assistance of a truck accident attorney in NC to determine the at-fault party when filing a wrongful death case.
The most obvious liable party is the truck driver. However, it depends on the cause of the truck accident, which is why you must determine them from those above. Other liable parties could be the company employing the driver, the mechanics maintaining the truck, or the manufacturer. It is crucial to gather the evidence and determine the cause of the accident to know what evidence to gather to support your case.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Various parties earn the right to file a wrongful death case involving a truck accident in Greensboro, NC. It could be any of the following:
- The surviving spouse
- The surviving children
- The surviving parents
- The victim’s estate
What to Do After Being Involved in a Truck Accident in NC?
When you are involved in a truck accident, or your family member or loved one has suffered a wrongful death because of a truck accident, you must consult a lawyer immediately. A lawyer is someone with experience with truck accident cases, and they can help protect your rights in this situation. In addition, a truck accident lawyer is also familiar with the rules and regulations in the highway system meant to govern trucks and other large vehicles. Based on the evidence of the case, they can pinpoint precisely where the truck driver failed to perform their duty and risked the lives of others – even resulting in a wrongful death.
What is the Compensation for a Wrongful Death in a Truck Accident?
The surviving family members of a victim in a wrongful death involving truck accidents can seek compensation by filing a lawsuit against the driver or the company that employs them.
If you win the case for the wrongful death resulting from a truck accident, you can get any or all of the following compensation:
- Coverage for medical expenses
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Punitive damages
- Compensation for the lost wages and benefits of the deceased
- Damages involving trauma and suffering due to the loss of a loved one
Hiring a truck accident attorney, especially someone specializing in wrongful death cases, is vital to navigating the complexity of these cases. When you have a lawyer on your side, you can recover the maximum damages.