Truck accidents in Middletown are often much more severe than normal car accidents. Because of the substantial weight of commercial trucks, severe injuries are likely. This can lead to permanent disability, long-term medical care, and a completely new lifestyle. If a truck driver or company is responsible for your injuries, a Middletown truck accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation for the trauma you’ve endured.
Experienced Truck Accident Attorneys in Middletown, CT
Weber & Rubano, LLC, is a Connecticut law firm founded by attorneys Louis Rubano and R. J. Weber III. Our dedicated team has over 75 years of combined legal experience. As longtime Connecticut residents, each of our attorneys and paralegals has committed their professional lives to protecting our local community members during the most difficult periods of their lives.
While compensation can’t rewrite what happened to you, it can help ease the financial burden of your present and future. We offer free consultations to injured Middletown residents and their families.
Common Types of Truck Accidents in Middletown
A semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, which is about 20 times heavier than a car. When moving at high speeds on a highway, a crash with an 80,000-pound truck can be catastrophic. In truck accidents, it’s more likely for those not in the truck to face more devastating injuries.
Due to the demands of long-haul driving, errors are, unfortunately, common. These often involve driver fatigue from extended hours on the road, pressure to meet delivery schedules, or delayed braking in traffic. For drivers who sleep four to five hours, they are 4.3 times more likely to crash.
Truck accidents in Middletown often happen on busy roads such as Route 9 and Route 17. Common types of truck crashes include:
Rear-end collisions. These occur when a truck fails to stop in time, often due to speeding or distracted driving.
Jackknife accidents. A truck’s trailer swings out at an angle, usually caused by sudden braking or poor road conditions.
Underride collisions. A smaller vehicle becomes lodged underneath a truck’s trailer, often resulting in fatal injuries.
Rollover crashes. Large trucks tip onto their sides, sometimes due to unbalanced cargo or excessive speed on curves.
Wide turn accidents. A truck swinging wide during a turn collides with nearby vehicles or pedestrians.
Common Injuries in Truck Accidents
In the United States in 2023, there were 5,375 large trucks involved in fatal crashes. Even at lower speeds, the damage from a truck accident can be substantial. Common injuries include:
Spinal cord trauma. A sudden impact may lead to permanent paralysis or nerve damage.
Brain injuries. Concussions and traumatic brain injuries often occur even if a seatbelt is worn.
Crush injuries. Limbs may be pinned or crushed between the car and parts of the truck.
Internal bleeding. Blunt force trauma can injure organs and lead to life-threatening conditions.
Complex fractures. Bones may break in multiple places, requiring surgery and long recovery periods.
It’s important to hire a truck accident lawyer to help represent you throughout the entirety of legal proceedings. Here at Weber & Rubano, LLC, we understand the mass devastation that truck accidents can have on survivors and their loved ones.
We approach every case with the empathy it deserves and know that no two cases are the same. Our team refuses to take shortcuts, and we’re ready to fight for maximum compensation for the pain you’ve had to endure.
Connecticut Truck Accident Laws
When injured during a truck accident, survivors can request damages. Damages involve economic damages, which include things like:
Medical bills
Lost wages
The cost of care
Damages can also involve non-economic damages, which include:
Pain
Suffering
Emotional distress
Fault Percentage
If a person is partly responsible for the accident, they can still recover damages, but their percentage of fault will affect the final settlement amount.
For example, if a truck runs a red light and causes a crash, the jury might decide the truck driver is 70% at fault, and the other driver is 30% at fault for speeding. If the total settlement amount awarded to the injured driver is $100,000, they would receive $70,000 after reducing their award by their 30% share of the fault.
If more than one party is responsible for an accident, each party has to pay their fair share based on the amount of fault they shared. The court or jury determines each person’s percentage of responsibility and calculates how much they owe accordingly.
In a truck accident case, it’s common for more than one party to be legally responsible. This can include not only the truck driver but also the trucking company, the cargo loader, and the vehicle manufacturer. The attorneys at Weber & Rubano, LLC have extensive experience with the complexities involved in truck accident cases and can help identify all parties responsible for your case.
Insurance and Liability in Connecticut Truck Crashes
Commercial trucking companies are required to carry higher amounts of insurance coverage than individual drivers. For trucks that transport cargo across state lines, federal law requires a minimum of $750,000 in liability coverage, which can be higher depending on the cargo.
Connecticut law also requires all auto insurance policies to include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. This policy protects you if the truck driver or company that caused your accident doesn’t have enough insurance to cover all your damages.
If you have this coverage and are injured in a truck accident, your insurance will pay after the truck driver’s insurance limits are exhausted, but the total amount you receive from all insurance policies combined cannot exceed your uninsured/underinsured coverage limits.
However, insurance carriers may challenge claims or delay payments. An attorney can assist in protecting your rights under your own insurance policy. If facing pushback from insurance companies, a case can be opened with the Middletown Courthouse, located at 1 Court Street.
Why Choose Us?
Weber & Rubano, LLC, has recovered significant compensation for clients throughout Connecticut. Our recent results speak for themselves:
$5,480,000 won for a man struck by a bus
$600,000 won for a driver struck by a car that failed to stop at a stop sign
$495,000 won for a couple hurt in an intersection collision
Our firm focuses on delivering clear, practical, and cost-effective legal advice. Our team of over 10 legal professionals collaborates to strengthen and manage every case that comes into our offices. This team approach helps us handle complex matters while maintaining continuity throughout the legal process.
FAQs
What Is the Process for Filing My Truck Accident Claim in Middletown?
The process of a truck accident claim starts with consulting a lawyer and an investigation into what caused the crash. Luckily, truck accidents usually have more direct evidence than regular car crashes due to driver logbooks, dashcam footage, and black box data.
Other evidence can include police reports, witness statements, and medical records. After establishing who is responsible, the injured person can file a formal claim with the trucking company’s insurance. If the claim isn’t resolved through negotiation, it may go to court.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Truck Accident?
After a truck accident, your safety is the first priority. Seek medical attention, even if you feel fine. Call the police to report the crash, photograph the scene and any visible injuries, and get the contact information of the parties involved, as well as witnesses. Get a copy of the police report and your medical records. Avoid admitting fault or apologizing, and contact an experienced truck accident attorney to help you navigate the next steps.
What Is the Deadline for Filing My Middletown Truck Accident Claim?
The deadline, or the statute of limitations, for truck accident claims in Connecticut generally requires that an injured person file a case within two years from the date the injury is first sustained or reasonably discovered. This time limit is critical because if you wait too long, your right to seek compensation may be permanently lost. Filing as soon as possible helps ensure you meet these deadlines, allowing enough time to gather evidence, investigate the case, and protect your legal rights.
What Are Punitive Damages in a Truck Accident Case?
In a truck accident case, punitive damages are extra penalties that a court may award to punish the party responsible for causing serious harm through reckless or intentional wrongdoing.
Unlike compensatory damages, which are meant to cover your actual losses, such as medical bills and lost wages, punitive damages are designed to discourage dangerous behavior and send a message that such actions will not be tolerated. For example, if a truck driver was driving under the influence, they may need to pay punitive damages.
Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer
Here at Weber & Rubano, LLC, we understand how confusing and overwhelming state law can be. Let our team take care of the legal side of things so you can focus on your recovery and well-being.
If you or someone close to you has been injured, contact our firm today to discuss your legal options. We offer free consultations to survivors of truck accidents and their families.