Trucks are essential for transporting products and keeping stores stocked with goods. However, the operators of these large vehicles can also cause dangerous accidents when they act negligently behind the wheel.

If you suffered injuries in a wreck involving a tractor-trailer or other commercial vehicle, a Bangor truck accident lawyer could help you seek compensation.

With help from a diligent attorney, a claim for damages could secure reimbursement for your medical costs, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.

To get started, please contact us today.

Common Tractor-Trailer Crash Injuries

Large trucks can be 20 times heavier than standard passenger vehicles. This size disparity means that the smaller vehicles often sustain severe damage when they collide with trucks.

According to the National Safety Council, approximately ten percent of fatal crashes on US highways involved trucks.

If you survived a truck crash, you may suffer grievous injuries. Common truck accident injuries include:

Any of these conditions might require extensive hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, and other medical treatment.

An attorney at Mann Law in Bangor could negotiate with the trucking company and any other responsible parties for a comprehensive settlement to cover your medical care.

Negligence Causes Most Truck Accidents in Bangor

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published a study that found driver error to be a leading cause of truck accidents.

The study cited driver fatigue, inattention, illness, and speeding as common causes of accidents. Mechanical issues such as brake or tire failure and vehicle issues like shifting loads were also frequent contributors to truck accidents.

Most of the issues cited in the report cited are rooted in negligence. As common carriers, trucking companies and truck drivers have a duty to properly maintain and operate their vehicles.

Companies must perform regular maintenance on their vehicles and ensure that they are properly loaded to prevent cargo imbalances or shifting.

Truckers must:

  • Pay strict attention to the road,
  • Remain aware of other vehicles traveling in their blind spots,
  • Operate their rigs safely given road conditions, and
  • If they are tired or feeling unwell, they must not drive.

Evidence of Negligence in Tractor-Trailer Accidents

Knowing what to do after a truck accident in Maine is very important.

After a trucking accident, a Bangor truck accident attorney in the area could review police reports, witness statements, surveillance camera footage, the trucker’s logbooks, the vehicle’s black box data, and any other information to understand how the crash occurred.

An experienced truck collision lawyer could then bring claims against all potentially responsible parties.

    Time Limits for Truck Wreck Claims

    In most cases, Maine law gives individuals six years after the date of an accident to file a lawsuit for personal injuries. However, there are special circumstances in truck accident cases that could shorten this timeframe.

    A Mann Law Bangor truck crash attorney could explain these provisions of law and ensure that you as the injured person files all the necessary paperwork in time to preserve your rights.

    Suing a Government Entity for a Trucking Crash

    If the state or a local government might be liable, a claimant must file a formal notice within a year of the accident. The government then has 120 days to respond before the injured person may file a lawsuit.

    This may be applicable if the state or a local government owned the truck or employed its driver, or if road conditions contributed to the crash.

    If a truck wreck resulted in part from a defect in a highway railing, you as an injured person could sue the town or county responsible for maintaining it.

    Maine Revised Statutes §3655 makes the relevant local government liable if it had at least 24 hours’ notice of the defect.

    However, if you wish to hold the local government responsible, you must file a notice of claim within six months and file a lawsuit within one year. In these cases, it is best to consult a Bangor attorney experienced in handling trucking accident claims.

    Speak to a Bangor Truck Accident Attorney Today

    Christiana grew up in Bangor and is very passionate about helping the people of Bangor. Truck accidents can cause life-altering injuries.

    If you suffered harm because of a negligent trucker or trucking company, you deserve dedicated support while you recover.

    Christiana Mann and the entire Mann Law team will get you the compensation you deserve while helping put the pieces of your life back together.

    We are your strong advocates when presenting your case to the insurance company and adjusters. With over 20 years of experience, we have valuable insight into navigating the civil claim process, a procedure that is difficult to explore independent of a Bangor truck accident lawyer.

    We also communicate with your healthcare providers to ensure bills are taken care of and that the settlement or lawsuit process is clearly understood by those involved.

    During the claims process, insurance companies may try to suggest you’re at fault, so you’ll need Mann Law’s aggressive advocates to work on your behalf.

    Mann Law consults with truck accident experts and performs thorough investigations into your personal injury claim.

    We’ll determine the full impact of the trucking accident from injury to financial implications in order to win what you deserve.

    The wisdom and relationships of Mann Law are invaluable. While you work on your health, we take care of everything else to win your case.

    We are a statewide firm with satellite offices for easy accessibility. Let our Bangor truck accident lawyer provide the legal guidance you need throughout the process of pursuing compensation for your losses.

    Call our firm today to speak with a skilled attorney about your legal options.