Do You Have a Claim After a Connecticut Truck Accident?
If someone else’s negligence contributed to your truck accident, you might have a claim. But the cause isn’t always clear from the scene. From a distracted driver to poorly maintained brakes, there are a lot of reasons a truck might have failed to stop in traffic.
You don’t have to figure that out yourself. At Kennedy Johnson, we look beyond the police report, gathering witness accounts and trucking company records to determine what happened. We’ll assess whether the evidence supports a claim and address all of your questions about pursuing a claim, especially if you live out of state or the trucking company is based elsewhere.
Most Dangerous Truck Corridors in Connecticut
Connecticut’s statewide freight plan identifies I-95, I-84, and I-91 as major truck routes. Traffic conditions on each highway can help explain a crash, but determining who was responsible requires a closer look at what happened to you.
I-95: Coastal Traffic and Frequent Congestion
Trucks running along I-95 carry freight up and down Connecticut’s coast between New York and Rhode Island. On its busier stretches, sudden backups and closely spaced exits leave little room for a truck driver to respond to changing traffic. After a collision, the truck’s following distance and braking could help show whether the driver had time to avoid it. These conditions are especially relevant to a Connecticut I-95 accident claim.
I-84: Cross-State Freight and Major Interchanges
I-84 runs from New York to Massachusetts, passing through cities and major highway connections. The Connecticut Department of Transportation has identified congestion and safety concerns at the I-84/I-91 interchange near Hartford. If your crash happened near a merge or backup, investigators can examine the traffic conditions and assess how the truck driver responded.
I-91: A North-South Route Through Connecticut
I-91 runs north from New Haven through Hartford and into Massachusetts, carrying trucks through some of Connecticut’s busiest highway connections. If the crash happened near an interchange, the investigation might focus on a truck’s lane change. In backed-up traffic, the investigation might focus on when the driver began braking. Those details help establish what the driver had time to see and do before the collision.
Why Commercial Truck Accident Litigation Is Different From a Standard Car Accident Claim
- More than one party could be responsible: The trucking company or a maintenance contractor might share responsibility if its actions contributed to the crash.
- Federal rules apply: Trucking regulations govern driver hours and vehicle maintenance. A violation matters when it helps explain the collision.
- The company holds key evidence: Driver logs and maintenance records could answer questions that the police report cannot. Carriers generally must retain electronic logging device records for six months, making early preservation requests worthwhile.
- Losses can continue after the crash: A brain injury or neck or back injury could affect work and future care. A fatal collision could lead to a wrongful death claim.
What to Do After a Commercial Truck Crash
If you’ve already gone home or been discharged from the hospital, there are still useful steps you can take to preserve your claim and your direct experience with the collision.
- Medical care: Follow up with a doctor about new or worsening symptoms.
- Evidence: Save the crash report number, photos, medical records, bills, and insurer messages.
- Journal: Write down what you saw and any witness contact information.
If you have to discuss the accident, you should avoid guessing about fault and stick to the facts. Additionally, if you are offered an early settlement, be sure to consult with an attorney before accepting. A Connecticut truck accident attorney can also help you preserve evidence from the crash, like tracking down company records and black-box data.
How Our Experienced Team Builds Successful Truck Accident Cases
A serious truck crash can leave you with losses that won’t always be clear from your first medical bill. Our legal team at Kennedy Johnson is focused on building a strong claim that accounts for all of your damages and losses. We will investigate what caused the collision, obtain records held by the trucking company, and document how your injuries have impacted your work and daily life.
Our attorneys prepare each case as if it is going to trial. We believe that meticulous case preparation is the key to securing settlements for our clients that truly reflect their needs. Insurers know that we are ready to go to trial if they dispute liability or won’t offer a fair resolution.
Significant Settlements and Verdicts for Our Clients
At KJSR, our personal injury lawyers have earned a reputation for securing considerable financial recoveries for our clients throughout Connecticut. Some of our significant truck accident results include:
- $7.9 million for a client who was seriously injured in a trucking accident.
- $1.9 million for a mother whose two children were killed in a crash involving defective truck parts.
- $1.85 million for a client who suffered a brain injury after the truck’s tires came off the vehicle.
Past results can’t predict what will happen in your case, but you deserve to know how the people handling it will treat you. Our approach and the experiences of our clients can help you decide whether we’re the right team for you.
Talk With Us About Your Truck Accident
After a truck crash, your attention is pulled between medical appointments, car repairs, and paperwork, all while you’re trying to recover. You don’t have to keep track of a potential claim on your own. Kennedy Johnson can take on the investigation and help you understand your options, so you have more room to focus on getting better.
Call 203-865-8430 or contact us online for a free consultation. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t pay an attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Connecticut Truck Accident FAQs
How Do I Find Out Which Trucking Company Is Responsible?
The police report, truck and trailer markings, license plates, and U.S. Department of Transportation number provide a starting point. An attorney can investigate the driver’s employer, carrier, vehicle ownership, and other companies involved.
How Soon After a Truck Accident Should I Contact an Attorney?
Contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as you’re able. A lawyer can begin identifying witnesses and requesting records while the crash is still recent. You don’t need a complete diagnosis or proof of fault before reaching out.
Can I Recover Compensation If I Was Partly at Fault?
Yes, you may recover compensation even if you were partly at fault as long as your share of the blame does not exceed 50%. Under Connecticut’s comparative negligence law, your negligence doesn’t bar recovery if it was no greater than the combined negligence of the parties from whom you seek compensation. Your share of fault reduces any award.
What Is an ELD, and How Could It Help My Case?
An electronic logging device (ELD) records a driver’s duty status. Its records could help show how long the driver worked before the crash and whether hours-of-service rules are relevant to your case. Investigators would consider those records alongside the other evidence.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Commercial Truck Accident?
Compensation for your personal injury claim can include reimbursement for medical care, and income that you lost because of the crash. It can also include compensation for the pain and disruption your injuries have caused. If you can’t return to the same work, reduced earning capacity could also be part of your claim.