Commercial vehicles like delivery trucks and tractor-trailers are essential to the supply chain of Brunswick County. They are also some of the most inherently dangerous vehicles on the roads of North Carolina due to their size and weight, and when commercial vehicle accidents happen, those involved face a high risk of suffering severe injuries. A Shallotte commercial vehicle accident lawyer could help you recover if you recently experienced this type of accident.
Christina Rivenbark & Associates has the professional resources and experience you need on your side to approach a commercial vehicle accident case with confidence and peace of mind. We know how damaging these accidents can be and the many complex legal questions they can raise for victims in terms of proving liability and establishing fault for the damages involved. Our goal is to help our client recover as fully as possible as quickly as possible.
When you choose our firm to represent your case in Brunswick County, we can immediately begin gathering the evidence you need to establish fault. We’ll assist you in identifying all parties bearing fault for the accident and help determine the full scope of damages you can claim. Your recovery is likely to require an auto insurance claim followed by a personal injury suit, and we can assist you with both of these legal efforts.
It is essential to prove fault for any vehicle accident in the state before seeking compensation for your damages. Under the state’s fault rule, the at-fault driver is liable for all damages they inflicted on the injured party. However, the state also upholds a contributory negligence statute. This means that if a plaintiff is found partially liable for causing their damages, even slightly, they are unable to claim compensation from any other liable party.
Most vehicle accidents in Shallotte, NC, including commercial vehicle accidents, happen because of negligence. Distracted driving, moving violations, and speeding are among the top-reported examples of negligence responsible for vehicle accidents throughout the Shallotte area each year. It is also possible for an accident to occur from illegal misconduct behind the wheel, such as intoxicated driving, in which case the at-fault driver faces criminal charges.
Your Shallotte commercial vehicle accident lawyer can be invaluable for the help they can provide in proving fault for your accident. Evidence you may require could include physical evidence from the scene of the accident, testimony from witnesses who saw the accident happen, cell phone records, traffic camera footage, and testimony from expert witnesses. One or more parties could be liable for your accident.
One issue that sometimes complicates commercial vehicle accident claims is vicarious liability. It’s possible for an employer to bear fault for the actions of their employee under the vicarious liability rule in certain situations. For example, if the employer of the truck driver who caused your accident never ensured the driver had proper training or failed to perform a background check, vicarious liability would likely apply in this situation.
Recovery from your commercial vehicle accident is likely to begin with an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver. Dealing with insurance companies will be much easier if you have legal counsel. Once an insurance company representative notices that you have representation, they will be less inclined to attempt any bad-faith handling of your case. Your attorney can verify that your settlement offer is reasonable.
After recovering as much compensation as you can through insurance, any remaining damages will need to be recovered with a personal injury suit against the party responsible for causing your commercial vehicle accident. You have the right to seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages resulting from your accident in Brunswick County.
North Carolina’s personal injury statutes enable a plaintiff to claim compensation for any losses auto insurance can’t cover, which are likely to include:
The average person may be surprised to discover they can claim far more compensation than they initially expected if they have the right attorney handling their case.
The team at Christina Rivenbark & Associates has extensive experience helping our clients throughout Brunswick County with all types of civil claims for damages, including those arising from commercial vehicle accidents. We will review the details of your accident and help determine your optimal path to recovery.
We’re ready to assist you in recovering your losses. This could be a complex process, and you face a time limit for both your auto insurance claim and a subsequent personal injury suit. The sooner you connect with an experienced Shallotte commercial vehicle accident lawyer, the more likely you are to succeed with your case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our team and learn more about the legal services we offer in Brunswick County.