Washington, D.C. Truck Accident Lawyers

How our Washington, D.C. truck accident attorneys help you

Working with our highly skilled truck accident lawyers ensures you get the support and guidance you need to navigate the legal process of filing a claim and receiving compensation for the losses you have suffered. Consider the ways our legal team supports your best outcome.

How do we help you to get the most compensation possible? There are several key ways we do that:

• We alleviate your worry about having to speak to insurance companies. We handle them, so you do not have to. This protects your settlement.
• Our attorneys help you determine who is at fault, including all potentially responsible parties, including truck drivers, owners, loading companies, manufacturers, and technicians, who failed to do their job and put you at risk.
• Your truck accident lawyer will determine what all of your losses are, including what your costs could be going forward.
• If there are questions about any component of the settlement offer, we provide the clarity needed quickly and efficiently.
• We help you learn what all of your legal options are while also providing you with the comparison you need to work through this situation.

Our role is comprehensive, so you can focus on recovery. We never want to limit your compensation and always fight to get you the most money possible. Yet, we are also going to be fast and efficient in managing your case. Count on our experience to help you win your case.

We try to answer the why:

• Was a truck driver tired?
• Was a company trying to meet a deadline at the cost of other drivers?
• Did a truck leave debris on a highway that you struck?
• Did a garbage truck’s debris fall onto your vehicle?
• Was a truck driver simply reckless?

Most importantly, we answer your questions – what does this accident mean for your future, and what financial compensation should you receive to ensure your needs are covered? The goal of personal injury is to make the person whole again. You can trust our legal team to at least try to make that possible for you through our comprehensive, aggressive legal representation. Do not wait to give us a call.

What are common reasons for truck accidents?

The average tractor-trailer weighs about 80,000 lbs; the sheer size makes it nearly impossible for drivers to react quickly to emergency situations, and collisions are often catastrophic. Common reasons for truck accidents include:

• Driver error. Distracted drivers are dangerous regardless of what vehicle they are driving. A trucker who tailgates or crosses lanes without checking for incoming traffic could cause a collision.
• Defective or worn-out parts. Faulty brakes, worn-out tires, or broken gear shifters can cause a truck to jack-knife, slip over, or crash into another car or stationary object. Because commercial 18-wheelers can cover thousands of miles every year, it is imperative that drivers and supervisors maintain the trucks regularly and properly.
• Inadequate training. Driving a semi-truck is vastly different than driving a regular car. Proper training behind the wheel is crucial to ensure that new drivers do not panic if something goes wrong and to make sure that they follow all the rules of the road.
• Poor visibility. Truck drivers may not have full visibility around them; that is why so many carry stickers that warn people not to pass on the right. Even with “bubbles” in the mirrors, a driver may not be able to see smaller cars, pedestrians, motorcycle riders, or cyclists on the side of the road.
• Improperly loaded cargo. A truck carrying unbalanced cargo can tip over while going around corners at the normal speed limit. In some cases, debris can fly out from the truck and land on the road, creating a hazard for other drivers.
• Driver fatigue. There are very specific regulations regarding how many miles a trucker may drive, over how many hours, and for how many days. Because most truck drivers are paid by the mile, some drivers will ignore the federal guidelines and drive for longer than is legal. A fatigued driver is just as dangerous as a drunk driver or a trucker who uses too many energy drinks or supplements.

At Paulson & Nace, we understand just how serious the consequences of a truck accident can be. We have successfully represented victims and their families when a devastating truck accident caused long-term or permanent injuries. We are aggressive advocates for our clients’ rights and provide the sound legal counsel you need regarding your case. We know how important it is that your injured family member receives the care that he or she needs.

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Evaluating compensation for truck accident injury claims

One of the most important reasons to work with our legal team is to ensure you receive comprehensive compensation for your losses. Part of our job is to get a better understanding of what your losses are. We do that by evaluating the situation and looking at how much your life has changed due to the accident.

We consider the economic losses you have suffered, including:

• All of your medical bills
• Lost time at work
• Rehabilitation and recovery-related costs
• Costs related to job retraining if you cannot go back to work
• Compensation for any property loss suffered
• Compensation if you cannot work at all

In addition to this, we also work to better understand your non-economic losses, such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of quality of life
• Emotional distress
• Loss of companionship

We work to understand any short- and long-term implications you are facing, including how the injury's lasting effects are impacting your relationships and your overall quality of life.

In some situations, the court may also award punitive damages. This is often done in situations where the accident was due to specifically aggravating factors, including if the truck driver was blatantly breaking the law or driving while intoxicated.

Navigating insurance settlement offers

The goal is always to help you obtain the most compensation possible, but Washington, D.C., insurance companies will try to settle for the least amount possible. Your attorney will spend time negotiating the best possible outcome for your case. We never want you to settle just because it is an easy decision. We will fight for fair compensation, and if the insurance company does not offer that in a settlement, we will advise you to move forward in going to court.

Presenting your case to a jury

When your case is presented in court and to a jury, you need a highly skilled attorney who can make it clear to the jury that your losses were the direct result of negligence. It may seem apparent to you that the other party was at fault; however, it is not always clear to a jury, and it is our job to convince the jury that the truck driver was at fault.

When considering the jury themselves, we never want to overlook the importance of choosing a jury that is capable of providing a fair ruling in your case. Expect us to be very protective of your case.