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Waterbury Truck Accident Attorney

When a semi-truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the outcome is rarely minor. These crashes tear lives apart, leaving victims facing months of recovery, permanent disabilities, and financial devastation. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Waterbury, you need a Waterbury motor vehicle accident attorney with the resources to fight back against powerful trucking companies and the trial experience to win.

Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante brings both to your case. Recognized as one of the top-ranked law firms in the United States and repeatedly honored as one of “The Best Law Firms,” our firm has the litigation firepower to take on the toughest opponents. Contact us today for a free consultation and begin your journey to justice.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Waterbury

Truck accidents rarely happen by chance. Most are the direct result of negligence, whether by the driver, the trucking company, or another party responsible for the truck’s operation. The most common causes of these collisions include:

  • Driver fatigue from exceeding hours-of-service limits or failing to take required rest breaks
  • Distracted driving, including texting, eating, or using dispatch devices while operating the truck
  • Speeding or driving too fast for the weather or road conditions
  • Improper loading that causes cargo shifts, rollovers, or lost loads
  • Inadequate training of commercial drivers who lack the skills to handle large trucks safely
  • Failure to maintain the vehicle, leading to brake failures, tire blowouts, or mechanical malfunctions
  • Impaired driving due to alcohol, drugs, or medications
  • Aggressive driving behaviors such as tailgating, unsafe lane changes, or road rage
  • Failure to properly secure cargo, creating hazards for other motorists

Federal Trucking Regulations and How They Impact Your Case

The trucking industry operates under strict oversight because of the inherent dangers these massive vehicles pose. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) establishes mandatory standards that trucking companies and drivers must follow. 

For example, hours-of-service regulations limit how long drivers can operate without rest, specifically to prevent fatigue-related accidents. If an investigation reveals that the driver who hit you was operating beyond legal limits, that violation becomes powerful evidence of negligence. 

Similarly, federal law requires regular vehicle inspections and maintenance records. Missing maintenance logs, skipped inspections, or known mechanical issues that weren’t addressed can establish that the trucking company failed to uphold these regulations and contributed to your crash. 

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Waterbury, CT Truck Accident?

The commercial trucking industry involves multiple entities. Any act of negligence that happens throughout this chain of responsibility can lead to an accident. Your attorney from Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante will conduct a thorough investigation to determine who exactly was responsible for your crash and who must pay for your damages:

  • The truck driver bears responsibility if their careless or reckless actions caused the crash. 
  • The trucking company that employs the driver can be held liable under vicarious liability principles, and additionally may face direct liability for negligent hiring, inadequate training, or pressuring drivers to violate safety regulations.
  •  If the truck was leased, both the leasing company and the entity operating under the lease may share responsibility. 
  • The cargo loading company can be liable if improper loading caused the accident. 
  • Truck maintenance contractors face liability when inadequate repairs or inspections lead to mechanical failures. 
  • The truck or parts manufacturer may be responsible if a defective component caused the crash. 

Types of Injuries Common in Waterbury Truck Accidents

The forces involved in truck accidents are extraordinary, and the human body was not designed to withstand them. When you are hit by a commercial truck, the resulting injuries are often severe, life-altering, or fatal. Victims of truck accidents frequently face long recoveries, permanent impairments, and profound changes to their quality of life.

Common injuries include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord damage
  • Paralysis
  • Severe burns
  • Crushed limbs
  • Amputations
  • Multiple broken bones
  • Internal organ damage
  • Severe lacerations
  • Facial disfigurement
  • Neck injuries
  • Back injuries
  • Herniated discs
  • Torn ligaments and tendons
  • Psychological trauma and PTSD

A Waterbury Truck Accident Lawyer Maximizes Your Compensation

When you file a truck accident claim in Waterbury, you are often facing billion-dollar trucking corporations with entire legal departments dedicated to denying claims and protecting their bottom line. At Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante, our attorneys will match their resources with our own and exceed their efforts with our commitment to your case.

Your Waterbury truck accident lawyer will conduct an independent investigation while the evidence is still fresh, hiring accident reconstruction experts and obtaining critical records to uncover proof of corporate negligence. We will subpoena the truck’s electronic logging device data to verify hours-of-service violations, examine maintenance records to identify patterns of deferred repairs, review driver qualification files to expose inadequate training or hiring of drivers with poor safety records, and secure video footage from dashboard cameras or nearby surveillance systems. 

Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante has built a reputation for fierce advocacy and exceptional results. Our focus on developing the strongest litigation skills means we are always prepared to fight for you in court, and that preparation translates into better settlements and verdicts for our clients.

Steps to Take If You Are Involved in a Truck Accident in Waterbury

The moments and days following a truck accident are critical, and the actions you take can affect your future. If you are involved in a collision, you should:

  • Call 911 immediately to report the accident and request medical assistance for anyone who is injured.
  • Seek medical evaluation even if you don’t think you are seriously hurt.
  • Document the accident scene with photographs of vehicle damage, road conditions, skid marks, and any visible injuries.
  • Obtain contact and insurance information from the truck driver and write down the trucking company’s name and DOT number.
  • Collect contact information from witnesses who saw the accident occur.
  • Avoid making any statements about fault or accepting blame at the scene or to insurance adjusters.
  • Contact a Waterbury truck accident attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options and begin the claims process.

If you have been seriously injured after a motorcycle collision, contact our Waterbury personal injury lawyer and schedule your free consultation today.

Schedule Your Free Truck Accident Consultation Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Waterbury, you need advocates who will fight for your right to justice. Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante has extensive experience handling complex truck accident cases, from investigating violations of federal safety regulations to holding multiple parties liable for your injuries. Contact us at (203) 333-3333 today for a free consultation and let us level the playing field.