Truck Accident Lawyer in Greensboro, NC

Greensboro is centrally located in North Carolina and serves as a hub of commercial traffic with multiple interstate highways crisscrossing the Triad area.

Unfortunately, serious traffic accidents involving commercial trucks are a common occurrence in Greensboro and throughout the Triad. If you have been seriously injured in a Greensboro truck crash, you know all too well the disruption that a major accident can have on your life. While you are trying to recover from your injuries, you should not have to bear the financial consequences of a truck accident caused by another driver.

At Hardison & Cochran, Attorneys at Law, our truck accident attorneys have been serving Greensboro injury victims for more than 30 years. We can help you determine who is financially liable for the truck accident that injured you and demand the money you need to recover. Call us today or contact us online to learn more about your legal options.

Recent Truck Accidents in Greensboro

Here are just a couple of recent news stories about devastating truck accidents in North Carolina:

• High Point truck driver charged in death of local police officer – Local police officer Mia Goodwin was killed in a recent I-85 collision involving two tractor-trailers. Officer Goodwin had just returned to work following maternity leave when she died in the crash. Fifty-year-old Daniel Morgan of High Point has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and several other violations in connection with the accident and Officer Goodwin’s death.
  

According to police reports, Goodwin was investigating the scene of another wreck when the two tractor-trailers collided. One of the trucks also crashed into several nearby police cruisers, killing Goodwin and injuring three other officers in the process. Authorities allege that Morgan was responsible because he failed to reduce his vehicle’s speed or move into an open lane upon approaching the site of the other accident.

• 10 people hospitalized after a seven-vehicle wreck involving two semi-trucks – After the driver of an 18-wheeler sideswiped a tractor-trailer and two other vehicles on I-95 in Robeson County, a multi-vehicle wreck ensued. The driver of one of the semi-trucks required the jaws of life for extraction, and multiple victims were sent to the hospital with injuries. 
  

Greensboro Truck Accident Statistics

According to statistics published by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the city of Greensboro had the second-highest number of crashes in the State in a single recent year.

• There were 8,073 crashes in Greensboro in 2020, more than 3 percent of all crashes statewide that year.
• More than 5,000 people were injured and 35 people killed in crashes in Greensboro.
• The tally of Greensboro accidents included 349 alcohol-related crashes, 144 pedestrian accidents, and 16 bicycle accidents.
• Of the 36 crash fatalities in Greensboro, 16 were from alcohol-related crashes, and nine were pedestrian fatalities.
• As a result of the 349 alcohol-related crashes in Greensboro that year, 306 people were injured and 16 were killed.
• That same year, 144 pedestrian accidents in Greensboro resulted in 145 pedestrian injuries and nine deaths.
• A total of 170 people died in crashes involving large trucks in North Carolina in 2020, including 7 in Guilford County.
• Greensboro ranked second for the highest reported crash rate among large cities in North Carolina for the third year in a row, trailing only Charlotte.

Causes of Truck Accidents

The most common causes of truck accidents include:

• Distracted driving
• Texting while driving
• Driving under the influence
• Driver fatigue
• Speeding
• Driving too fast for conditions
• Tailgating
• Following too closely for conditions
• Failure to check blind spots
• Failure to yield the right of way
• Running red lights and stop signs
• Improper turning or merging
• Driver inexperience
• Cargo shifts and spills
• Vehicle rollovers
• Underride and override collisions
• Defective truck parts
• Poorly-maintained truck parts
• Poor road conditions

What To Do After a Truck Accident

When you are injured in a truck accident, your top priority should be your health. If you suffered an injury, you should call 911 immediately for emergency medical assistance.

If you do not require emergency treatment, you should still seek prompt medical attention to ensure any injuries are properly diagnosed, treated, and documented in your medical records. Once your condition is stable, you can take the following steps to protect your rights and establish a foundation for a truck accident claim:

• Follow your doctor’s care plan to maximize your recovery and demonstrate that you are taking your health seriously.
• Gather evidence from the accident scene, including photos, contact and insurance details from the truck driver, and statements from eyewitnesses.
• Keep medical bills, bank records, pay stubs, repair estimates, and other accident-related documentation as proof of your financial losses.
• Record daily observations about your pain levels and the ways your injuries impact your day-to-day life.
• Watch what you say to the truck driver, the trucking company, and any others after the accident since anything you say could be used against you.
• Avoid posting or sharing anything on social media while your case is pending.
• Contact a knowledgeable Greensboro truck accident attorney for legal advice.

Truck Accident Liability

One of the reasons many truck accident cases are more complicated than car accident cases to resolve is that multiple parties often share financial responsibility for the operation of a truck. Any of the following parties may be individually or jointly liable in a Greensboro semi-truck accident case:

• The truck driver – Truck drivers are responsible for maintaining full control over their big rigs at all times. A truck driver could be at fault for a truck accident if the driver was distracted, speeding, driving under the influence, or driving too fast for road or weather conditions when the crash occurred. A commercial truck driver is responsible for inspecting their truck before each trip and ensuring the vehicle is safe to put on the road.
  
• The trucking company – The trucking company that employs the driver may be liable for the negligent actions of its employee. In addition, if the trucking company failed to maintain the truck properly, knowingly hired an unqualified driver, or encouraged the driver to engage in unsafe practices, such as driving too long without rest, the company may be financially liable.
  
• A cargo loading team – Some trucking companies use special teams to load cargo into tractor-trailers. A cargo loading team could be at fault for a cargo spill or rollover accident if it overloaded the truck or failed to properly balance or secure the load.
  
• A truck parts manufacturer – A truck parts manufacturer could be liable for a truck accident if it happened due to a defectively designed or manufactured part. If a critical component like the brakes or steering system fails in transit, the failure can result in a loss-of-control truck accident.
  
• A truck mechanic or shop – If a truck maintenance garage fails to properly inspect, maintain, or replace a truck’s worn parts or damaged components, the repair shop may be at fault.
  
• A local government agency – If poor road conditions such as large potholes, inadequate drainage, or missing traffic signs play a role in the accident, the local government agency responsible for road maintenance may have liability. Filing a claim against a government agency is a complicated process that must be completed in a relatively short time frame. Be sure to contact a seasoned Greensboro personal injury attorney for advice if you have been seriously injured in a truck accident and someone else was at fault.
  

Reasons to Hire a Greensboro Truck Accident Lawyer

After a truck accident, you can count on the Greensboro injury attorneys of Hardison & Cochran to provide trusted legal advice based on years of experience. Our attorneys offer:

• 30 years of experience – Our firm has been helping injured people in North Carolina recover from serious accidents since 1982. During that time, we have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our deserving clients, including multiple six- and seven-figure settlements for truck accident victims.
• Affordable representation – We understand that many accident victims experience financial stress after being seriously injured and missing weeks of work. Hardison & Cochran offers free, no-obligation consultations and handles cases on a contingency fee basis. We do not charge any out-of-pocket fees to begin work on your case. You won’t owe us anything unless we secure an insurance settlement or jury award for you.
• Caring, personalized service – At Hardison & Cochran, we believe in putting you first. We take the time to get to know you on a personal level and understand your long-term goals and needs. Our compassion and relentless focus on the best interests of our clients have consistently allowed us to deliver outstanding results. 
  

Contact a Greensboro Truck Accident Lawyer Today

When you’re ready to get some answers about the Greensboro truck accident that injured you, contact the respected legal team at Hardison & Cochran for a free initial case review. Call us today at (252) 333-3333 or fill out our online contact form to learn how we can help.