Paducah Truck Accident Lawyers
Due to their sheer size and weight, tractor-trailers usually cause extensive damage when they are involved in accidents. While the truck driver walks away, the people in the smaller vehicle may suffer devastating injuries.
Truck accidents can also be complex legally. For example, truck drivers and trucking companies are subject to safety regulations that do not apply to passenger vehicles. Only a lawyer who is familiar in handling truck accident cases will know how to collect and preserve evidence of violations that could have an important bearing on your case.
At Bryant Law Center P.S.C., the attorneys on our team have decades of experience handling all types of vehicle accident cases, including those involving semi-trucks. In addition to injured people, we represent families who lose loved ones in fatal accidents. From our office in Paducah, we handle truck wreck cases throughout Kentucky and southern Illinois.
Professional Representation for Complex Truck Accident Claims
Truck drivers are usually under economic pressure to deliver loads as quickly as possible. This can lead to safety violations such as driving too long without taking a rest break, taking drugs to stay awake, speeding, unsafe passing, and driving with too heavy a load. When truck drivers and their employers put profits ahead of safety, innocent people may pay the price.
In the aftermath of a truck accident, the insurance company covering the semi will usually be on the scene within hours, looking for ways to minimize their liability. To protect your interests, you should retain an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. At Bryant Law Center P.S.C., our Paducah personal injury attorneys are keenly aware of the tactics these insurance companies may employ, and we are ready to stand up for your right to full and fair compensation.
Leading Causes of Truck Accidents in Paducah
Truck accidents in Paducah are often preventable but caused by driver negligence. For example:
Distracted Driving
A distracted truck driver can lead to a catastrophic accident in seconds. Common distractions include texting or talking on a cell phone, drinking, and eating.
Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers work long hours, often without a reliable sleep schedule. Although federal laws dictate how many consecutive hours a trucker can drive, there is no guarantee that the regulations are adhered to, especially when there are tight deadlines.
Impatience or Road Rage
Truck drivers are under enormous pressure to meet deadlines, which can result in impatience or anger when on the road.
Reckless Driving
Any reckless maneuver, such as speeding or an abrupt lane change, dramatically increases the risk of a collision. Truck drivers will have much less time to react to unforeseen elements or vehicles. Other reckless behaviors include sudden lane changes, failing to signal, or failing to account for traffic.
Driving Under the Influence
When a truck driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it clouds their judgment, and they may take unnecessary risks.
Poor Maintenance or Manufacturing Defects
When a truck owner, trucking company, or truck driver fails to properly maintain their vehicles, it can be disastrous on the road (e.g., tire failure, brake failure, etc.). In addition, a defective vehicle or part can also cause a truck driver to lose control and cause an accident, which the manufacturer may be liable for.
Poor Weather Conditions
If a truck driver fails to adjust to climate and road conditions, it often significantly reduces their ability to control the vehicle.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?
After a truck accident, there may be multiple liable parties. Therefore, each case will require a thorough investigation to determine who is responsible. Common parties include:
- The Truck Driver: If the truck driver’s negligence led to an accident, they might be liable for damages. For instance, deliberately driving while distracted or under the influence or intentionally violating federal hours-of-service regulations limiting how long truckers may drive without a break.
- The Trucking Company: If the trucking company’s negligence contributed to the accident, such as hiring an inexperienced driver, or one with multiple driving infractions, failing to schedule regular inspections for their vehicles, etc.
- Loading Companies: Cargo loading companies can be held responsible if they fail to ensure a truck is loaded correctly, resulting in a collision. If cargo isn’t secure and loaded unevenly, a subsequent cargo shift can lead to an accident.
Types of Damages Available After a Truck Accident
Truck accident victims have the right to recover damages, which is another term for the compensation awarded for their losses. The types of damages commonly available include:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost wages while recovering
- Loss of future income
- Diminished earning capacity if you no longer can earn the same level of income as before
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium— compensation a spouse can recover for loss of companionship or sexual relations
The value of your case will vary based on unique factors, such as the severity of your injuries and whether you were partially responsible for the collision. Under Kentucky’s pure comparative negligence law, your percentage of fault will reduce the compensation you recover. For example, if you are awarded $500,000 but found 20 percent to blame, you will only receive 80% of the award, or $400,000.
Time is of the Essence — Call Today for a Free Consultation
Commercial trucking companies have a lot to lose if their drivers are at fault. Protect yourself with a professional lawyer from our firm in your corner. We offer contingency fee-based representation that does not charge you unless we can secure compensation for you. Reach out today to learn more and set up a free initial consultation. Call our Paducah, Kentucky, firm at or complete a contact form online.