The effects of a collision with an 18-wheeler can be catastrophic. But you can get your costs covered with the assistance of an experienced Lakewood truck crash lawyer.

Traumatic brain damage, spinal cord injuries, amputations, and severe burns are some of the most frequently seen injuries in truck accidents. Injuries of this nature will require extensive time in the hospital and possibly years of rehabilitation and therapy to learn how to live life with a disabling condition.

A Lakewood truck accident lawyer at Craig Swapp & Associates will conduct a complete investigation to determine the parties responsible for the accident and ensure that each and every loss is accounted for so you are awarded the maximum amount of compensation possible.

Determining Who’s to Blame in a Lakewood Truck Accident

More often than not, the operator of the big rig is found to be at least partially liable for the accident—whether it’s due to distracted driving, driving aggressively, or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident. Truck drivers have a responsibility to drive as safely as possible, and when they don’t do that, they put everyone sharing the road with them at risk of injury.

In the event that drowsy driving was the cause of your accident—perhaps the trucker fell asleep at the wheel and the tractor-trailer fishtailed, causing you to collide with the truck—both the truck driver and the company he or she works for could be named as defendants.

Under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration guidelines, truck drivers are required to have a number of hours off between shifts. Failure to adhere to these regulations may result in the trucking company having to compensate you for your damages in the event of an accident.

Additionally, nearly anyone who plays a part in the care or maintenance of the 18-wheeler will be open to investigation. These parties might include safety inspectors, cargo loaders, vehicle parts manufacturers, and even the owner of the truck in question. If any of these workers were negligent in some way, your Lakewood 18-wheeler crash lawyer can hold them financially accountable.

The Damages Included in Your Claim

While each truck accident will be different, the damages victims suffer will typically remain similar. Economic and non-economic damages that are frequently sought in Lakewood truck accident claims include the following:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning potential
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of household services
  • Loss of consortium

You could also be awarded punitive damages if the court believes that the defendant had an intent to cause harm or was egregiously negligent. This sum could greatly increase the compensation you receive, as punitive damages are meant to punish wrongdoers for their behavior and decisions.

Meet with a Lakewood Semi-Truck Accident Attorney

For advice about how to proceed with a claim against the party whose negligence directly caused you harm, reach out to an experienced and qualified lawyer at Craig Swapp & Associates today. We offer free, no-obligation claim assessments to all prospective clients.

You can schedule your consultation by giving a Lakewood truck accident lawyer a call at 1-800-404-9000 or by filling out the quick contact form at the bottom of this page.