When truck drivers are tired or overworked, they become a danger to themselves and others on the road. Fatigued driving can impair a driver’s judgment, reaction time, and ability to stay alert, leading to devastating accidents.
If a fatigued truck driver has injured you or a member of your family, the Claggett, Sykes & Garza is here to help. Our truck accident lawyer in Norwich regularly handles these cases and knows how to hold negligent truckers responsible for the damage they cause.
Our Norwich fatigued truck driver accident lawyer could help you recover the financial compensation you deserve after a life-altering crash. Contact us now to get started with a free case evaluation.
Truck Accidents Can Cause Life-Altering Injuries
Collisions involving commercial trucks and passenger cars can result in life-altering injuries for the occupants of the smaller vehicles.
These accidents frequently lead to catastrophic outcomes, with common injuries including the following:
- Back and neck injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Amputations
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Internal injuries
- Broken bones
- Severe burns
- Crush injuries
- Joint injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Loss of sensory functions (e.g., vision, hearing)
Coping with such devastating injuries requires substantial financial compensation. Injured individuals may seek damages through an insurance claim or civil lawsuit. A Norwich personal injury lawyer from the Claggett, Sykes & Garza could help you seek both economic and non-economic damages.
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Pursuing Compensation After a Norwich Fatigued Driver Truck Accident
In the aftermath of a Norwich commercial truck accident, the term ‘damages’ refers to the financial reparation you may be eligible to receive.
Economic Damages
Economic losses encompass tangible costs resulting from the accident. This category includes medical expenses for treatments and rehabilitation, lost wages due to missed work, property damage like car repairs, and potential future economic losses due to long-term injuries or disabilities.
Maintaining detailed records of these expenses helps lay the foundation for your insurance claim or lawsuit.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages refer to intangible losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the loss of companionship or consortium.
Attaching dollar amounts to these damages can be challenging, but our attorneys know how to quantify the impact the accident has had on your life.
Punitive Damages
In certain cases, a court may also award punitive damages. These additional damages are designed to punish the at-fault party and deter similar misconduct in the future. However, punitive damages usually require evidence of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
Please keep in mind that each case is unique, and the amount of compensation you can recover will depend on the specifics of your accident.
Federal Rest Requirements for Commercial Drivers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) oversees interstate truckers, imposing detailed restrictions on their working hours. FMCSA’s work rules dictate that a commercial driver is limited to 70 working hours within any eight-day period. After driving for eight consecutive hours, drivers are obligated to take a mandatory 30-minute break.
Furthermore, truckers are not permitted to drive for more than 14 hours in a single day. If they reach the full 14-hour limit, they must rest for a minimum of 10 hours before driving again.
In order to ensure compliance, federal regulations require drivers to maintain a detailed log of their activities, documenting driving hours, breaks, and sleep periods. Your Norwich fatigued truck driver accident lawyer has the option to subpoena both the driver log and black box data when fatigued driving is suspected.
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Connecticut’s Time Limit for Personal Injury Claims
If the insurance company refuses to provide a fair settlement, your truck accident attorney can take your case to civil court. However, time is of the essence when filing a civil lawsuit.
According to General Statutes of Connecticut § 52-584, you generally have two years from the accident date to initiate legal action against a responsible party. Certain exceptions could alter this deadline, so it’s important to consult with an attorney about your specific case.
If you reach out to us soon after your collision, you can rely on our team to build a strong case on your behalf and file the necessary paperwork on time.
Injured Due to Negligence?
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Rely on a Norwich Attorney for Your Fatigued Trucker Accident Claim
In the unfortunate event that you or a family member has suffered injuries in a truck accident due to someone else’s negligence, the Claggett, Sykes & Garza is here to assist you in pursuing fair compensation.
Our team has the experience to effectively negotiate with trucking companies and their insurers and fight for you in court if necessary. Our fatigued driver truck accident lawyer in Norwich is well-versed in the complex laws and regulations surrounding trucking accidents.
We handle cases on contingency, meaning you’ll pay nothing upfront or out of pocket for our services. We only collect payment when we successfully secure a settlement or court award for you. Don’t settle with an insurance company for less than your injuries are worth. Contact us for a free consultation today.
