Louisville Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney

Our Kentucky law firm knows how to handle claims involving delivery trucks

Commercial truck accidents can cover a wide range. This includes collisions caused by delivery trucks, utility vehicles, tow trucks and other service trucks. When this happens, it’s critical that injury victims and their families fully understand the legal options available to them. Otherwise, they might not get the money they rightfully deserve for their injury claim.

The experienced Louisville commercial vehicle accident lawyer at the Whaley Law Firm knows how to respond to such complicated legal cases. When you have our dedicated legal team on your side, you can demand the respect you deserve. We understand the rules and regulations governing commercial truck accidents. Our commercial vehicle accident attorney knows what evidence to look for and what questions to ask. That’s why we have such a strong track record of success. Experience matters and so does your injury claim.

What are common commercial vehicle accidents?

Accidents can involve a wide range of commercial trucks, including:

Delivery trucks operated by UPS, FedEx and other delivery service companies.
Mail trucks.
Pickup trucks.
Repair trucks operated by plumbers, electricians, contractors and other home repair service trucks.
Food delivery trucks, including pizza delivery trucks and Uber Eats drivers.
Utility trucks, including vehicles operated by Louisville Gas & Electric (LGE).
Oil and gas delivery trucks.
Box trucks, vans, enclosed box vehicles.
Commercial limousine drivers.
Cargo and passenger vans.

Whatever type of commercial vehicle caused your collision, be prepared for a complicated legal battle. The rules and regulations governing commercial vehicles are different than the laws covering most accidents. Make sure your lawyer knows these laws and knows how to react.

Why do these accidents happen?

Accidents caused by commercial truck drivers often occur because the driver was behaving in a reckless or negligent manner. This includes:

Driver not paying attention, including texting while driving, looking up directions or talking to a dispatcher on the phone or another type of communications device.
Speeding drivers, especially on busy city streets.
Reckless drivers who don’t obey the traffic laws, including not stopping for a stop sign or running a red light.
Poorly maintained trucks that can’t avoid a collision due to defective brakes, bald tires or other mechanical problems.
Tired commercial drivers who fall asleep at the wheel due to working long hours.

These are just some of the reasons why commercial vehicle accidents happen. In each case, a thorough investigation needs to be conducted. That’s our job and we welcome the opportunity to demand justice for you.

What makes them so complicated?

As explained earlier, the laws governing commercial vehicles are different than the ones covering most drivers. Depending on the type of vehicle, many commercial drivers need a commercial driver’s license (CDL). In order to obtain and maintain a CDL, drivers must pass strict driving tests and adhere to rigorous rules and standards. In particular, they must follow federal laws governing CDL drivers. These laws include Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Who’s responsible for paying for your accident can also be much more complicated in cases involving commercial vehicles. Sometimes, it’s the driver’s insurance company that has to pay for your claim. Other times, it’s the company the driver works for or its insurance company. You might even need to seek compensation from the company that manufactured the truck or loaded the contents of the truck. This is why you need a truck accident lawyer on your side.

What to do after a commercial truck accident

If you've been involved in a commercial vehicle accident, the steps you take in the aftermath can have a significant impact on your ability to pursue compensation for any injuries or damages sustained. Here's what you need to know:

First, it's crucial to act fast after a commercial vehicle accident. Move your vehicle to the side of the road if possible and immediately call 911, even if there appear to be no injuries.
Collect contact information, including auto insurance and license numbers, from all parties involved in the accident.
Take videos and photos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, road and weather conditions, and the nearest intersection.
Obtain contact information for any witnesses to the accident, but refrain from discussing the accident with other drivers, accepting responsibility, or admitting fault.
Seek medical attention immediately, even if you don't believe you've been injured. Some injuries, such as internal organ damage or brain injuries, may take days or weeks to become apparent. It's essential to document any injuries sustained in the accident as soon as possible.
Next, contact your insurance company to report the crash. Give them contact and insurance information for other drivers. Do not get into a discussion about what happened or the extent of your injuries. Anything you say can be used against you to reduce or reject your claim. If you're contacted by another driver's insurance company, do not talk to them.
Consult an attorney. Navigating the legal system can be challenging, especially if you're new to it. Contact the Whaley Law Firm for a free consultation with an experienced Louisville commercial vehicle accident attorney. Our legal team can help you understand your rights, navigate the claims process, file lawsuits, and aggressively pursue compensation for any injuries or damages sustained in the accident.

Hold commercial drivers responsible for their actions. Contact our law firm

Determining fault in a commercial vehicle accident can be complex and may involve various parties such as the truck driver, trucking company, maintenance company, cargo loader, and even the manufacturer of the vehicle or its parts. For example, if the accident was caused by a tire blowout, the tire manufacturer or the company responsible for maintaining the tires may be held liable.

The stakes are high for many commercial truck accident claims. Depending on the severity of your injuries, the length of your recovery and the damage to your vehicle, you may be eligible to receive thousands of dollars or significantly more. Our dedicated legal team can get right to work finding the evidence you need to build a strong legal case.

We understand the urgency of your legal matter. The evidence needed to build a case can disappear over time. If you don’t act fast, that evidence could be lost or destroyed. And if you decide to file a lawsuit, you generally only have two years to do so in Kentucky. If you miss that deadline, you miss your opportunity for compensation.

Our commercial vehicle accident attorney and legal team understand what you’re going through, and we want to help. Contact the Whaley Law Firm and schedule a free case evaluation with a Louisville truck accident lawyer you can trust. Schedule an appointment online or call (866) 703-7575 right now.