Truck Accident Lawyer in Newport, RI

Semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles are safety nightmares for Rhode Island drivers. A tractor-trailer can weigh 20 times more than a passenger vehicle, leaving the occupants of cars at risk of severe injuries in a crash. An increased chance of catastrophic injuries also means many people hurt in truck accidents are left with expensive medical bills. Severe injuries from a truck accident can take a harsh toll on a victim’s quality of life, leaving them unable to work or do the activities they love.

You should not be left to pay the costs of someone else’s wrongdoing if you were hurt in a truck crash in Newport, RI. But you can’t rely on the trucking companies and their insurers to do what’s right and pay you what you deserve. You need a top truck accident law firm to fight for you. You need Mike and his experienced team at Bottaro Law.

Our Newport, RI, truck accident attorneys have considerable experience with these complex cases. Mike and his team are ready to stand up to the insurance companies for you. With our exclusive No Fee Guarantee, you do not owe us any upfront fees. We get paid only if we put money in your pocket first.

Contact our office today to speak to our truck accident attorneys in Newport during a free consultation.

What Makes Newport Truck Accidents So Complicated?

While you might assume that truck accidents are pretty much like other types of traffic accidents, in our experience, there are several critical differences. Some of the most important include:

Truck accidents cause more severe injuries and more expensive medical bills. Because trucks weigh so much more than cars and sit higher off the road, they are more likely to cause serious, potentially fatal injuries when they collide with smaller vehicles. More severe injuries mean more expensive medical bills and more substantial long-term consequences. Because of that risk, trucking companies typically carry $1 million or more in liability coverage. That raises the stakes in a truck accident case.
More regulations apply to truck crash cases. Truck drivers and trucking companies must follow many state and federal rules. These regulations cover everything from the requirements to obtain a commercial driver’s license to how long truck drivers can go without stopping to rest. Understanding these regulations and how they apply to a truck accident case can significantly affect the outcome.
More potentially liable parties are involved in truck crashes. In a typical car accident, liability is confined to one or more of the drivers involved. But because of the complexities of the trucking industry, several parties could share responsibility for the accident. The more potentially liable parties, the more complicated the litigation can become.

Time Limit for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Newport, RI

Rhode Island’s statute of limitations on personal injury cases gives you three years from a truck accident to file a lawsuit. If you wait too long to take legal action, you could lose your right to compensation. It’s critical that you call Mike right now so he can get started on your case and you can recover compensation more quickly without worrying about deadlines.

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Who Is Responsible for a Truck Accident?

Several parties could be liable for a Rhode Island truck accident, including:

The truck driver – A truck driver could be liable for a crash if their negligent actions were a factor in the accident.
The trucking company – Trucking companies are vicariously liable for the actions of their on-duty employees. They might be directly liable if they fail to monitor their drivers for drug and alcohol or other dangerous driving behaviors, for example.
The owner of the cargo and the tractor-trailer – In many cases, the company that owns the equipment and the owner of the cargo are different from the driver and the driver’s employer. If that is the case, the owner of the tractor-trailer and the owner of the cargo could also be held liable for the crash.
Truck and parts manufacturers – Tire blowouts, brake failure, and other mechanical issues are common causes of truck accidents in Rhode Island. If a mechanical defect leads to a truck accident, the company that made the truck or the defective part may be liable for the crash.
Maintenance companies – Regular maintenance is vital for all vehicles, but especially for commercial trucks that experience significant wear and tear. Failing to repair or replace a worn or broken part makes a truck accident much more likely.
Cargo loading companies – When a truck’s cargo shifts or comes loose in transit, the truck can become unbalanced and tip over. Negligent cargo companies that fail to properly secure a truck’s cargo and contribute to a crash can be held liable for the consequences.

Who Is Responsible for a Truck Accident?

How a Newport, RI, Truck Accident Attorney Can Help You

At Bottaro Law, Mike and his experienced team have the same goal as you– maximizing your compensation. We are ready to stand up to the insurance companies, trucking companies, defense lawyers, and others who stand in the way of you getting all the money you deserve. You need the best legal representation to hold others responsible for your truck crash losses.

At Bottaro Law, our Newport, RI, truck accident law firm can help with your case by:

Investigating the accident to gather evidence and identify who caused your injuries
Documenting all the injuries and financial losses you suffered from the crash
Filing an insurance claim against any liable parties
Negotiating with the liable parties and their insurance companies to obtain a fair settlement
Taking your case to court if the insurance companies will not agree to an adequate settlement

Causes of Truck Accidents in Newport, RI

Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Newport, RI, include:

Impaired driving
Drowsy driving
Distracted driving
Speeding
Following too closely
Failing to check blind spots before passing, merging, or changing lanes
Mechanical defects
Bad weather
Cargo shifting or breaking loose while a truck is moving

Potential Compensation in a Truck Accident Claim

If you sustained injuries in a Rhode Island truck accident, Mike and his team can help you pursue compensation for:

Medical expenses
Costs of long-term care
Lost wages
Loss of earning capacity and lost employment benefits
Physical pain
Emotional trauma and distress
Lost enjoyment and quality of life

What to Do After a Semi-Truck Accident

Here are the key steps to take after a truck accident in Rhode Island:

Seek medical attention and follow your doctor’s prescribed treatment plan.
Save all your medical records and receipts.
Do not post anything about the accident on social media.
Hold on to any photos and other evidence you have from the crash scene.
Do not speak to any insurance companies before talking to an attorney.
Hire a Newport, RI, truck accident lawyer at Bottaro Law.

Newport Truck Accident FAQs

Truck Accident

What should I do after a truck accident?

Taking the following steps after a truck accident can help strengthen your future legal case:

Document the accident scene. You or someone you trust should take photos or video of the accident scene as soon as possible. Take pictures and videos of the vehicle damage, traffic controls, skid marks in the road, and weather, lighting, and traffic conditions at the time of the crash.
Seek medical attention immediately. No matter how mild your injuries may seem at first, you should get a complete medical exam as soon as possible. Even minor injuries can become serious if not treated properly. A doctor can diagnose the injuries you sustained and provide documentation that they were caused by the truck accident. This medical care is also an essential part of your physical recovery.
Keep copies of bills and invoices. If you miss work, make sure to keep records of your wages or income. That can help you calculate your financial losses.
Start a journal about your recovery. Document the physical pain and distress that your injuries and medical treatment cause you and their effects on your quality of life.
Avoid social media. Don’t post about the accident, your injuries, or your legal case. Also, avoid posting photos or videos of yourself while still recovering from your injuries. Insurers frequently monitor accident victims’ social media accounts for any posts that they can take out of context to contradict the accident victim’s claims and allegations.
Contact a lawyer. After a truck accident, you’ll likely be approached by investigators and insurance adjusters hired by the trucking company. Their main objective is to minimize possible expenses and legal liability for the trucking company, so they may offer you a lowball settlement. Consulting with an attorney as soon as possible can help protect your rights to compensation before accepting a low settlement or offering a statement.

How much does it cost to hire a Rhode Island truck accident lawyer?

If you’re facing serious financial pressure while trying to recover from the injuries you suffered in a truck crash, you may be worried about the cost of engaging an experienced truck accident attorney in Rhode Island. That’s why the truck accident law firm of Bottaro Injury Lawyers offers clients a No Fee Guarantee. This means you do not need to pay anything unless and until we win compensation in your case. There are no upfront retainers or charge hidden fees. We want you to get the legal representation you need without worrying about how to afford it.

What is the most common injury caused by rear-end crashes?

Rear-end crashes affect everyone differently, but one of the most common injuries they cause is whiplash. Whiplash is a neck and upper back injury that occurs when the head and neck are forcibly snapped backward and forward, much like the cracking of a whip. Many whiplash injuries result from the violent back-and-forth motion that occurs when a car gets rear-ended and its occupants launch forward into seat belts and airbags.

What kind of damage can a rear-end collision cause?

The damage your vehicle sustains in a rear-end collision depends on where precisely it is hit. If your car gets hit by a truck from behind, the impact could damage your trunk, taillights, exhaust system, muffler, catalytic converter, and more. If you run front-first into the back end of a truck, the collision could damage your front bumper, headlights, hood, windshield, engine, transmission, and radiator.

Should you go to the hospital if you get rear-ended?

Yes. Going to a hospital, urgent care clinic, or doctor’s office is one of the most important steps you can take in the aftermath of a rear-end accident. Not only will your provider diagnose and treat your injuries, but they will also document your condition in your medical records, which will play a key role in your injury claim.

What happens to your body in a rear-end collision?

In a rear-end truck accident, the truck’s momentum is transferred first to your vehicle and then to your body. Even a relatively low-speed collision can force your body to fly forward into your seatbelt, airbag, or dashboard, then snap back into your seat. In many rear-end accidents, the head snaps back and forth more rapidly than the rest of the body, which is restrained by a seat belt. This leads to common injuries like whiplash and concussions.

Can a minor car accident cause back pain?

Yes. Even a relatively low-speed rear-end truck accident can result in serious injuries with painful symptoms like back pain. The violent backward and forward motion of the human body in a rear-end collision can easily stretch and damage soft tissue, including the ligaments, tendons, and musculature of the back. If you have back pain from a minor rear-end truck accident, you could be entitled to compensation from a personal injury claim.

Should I get a lawyer if I got rear-ended?

Yes, it’s always a good idea to consult a lawyer after a truck accident, no matter how minor it seems at first. Truck accident cases are complex and confusing, and trucking companies and their insurers use this fact to their advantage. Our knowledgeable truck accident lawyer can protect your interests, fight back against underhanded tactics aimed at denying or undervaluing your claim, and demand full compensation for your losses.

What is a commercial truck?

A commercial truck typically refers to a vehicle large enough that a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is required to operate it legally. Examples of commercial trucks include box trucks, semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, tanker trucks, dump trucks, garbage trucks, and cement trucks.

How are truck accidents different from other types of vehicle accidents?

Cases arising from truck accidents often prove more complex and time-consuming than other types of motor vehicle accident cases for several reasons, including because they often involve:

More liable parties – Truck drivers as well as the freight companies that employ or contract with them may bear responsibility for causing an accident. That means that truck crash claims may become more complex, as multiple liable parties try to contest their legal liability or share of liability to compensate injured victims for their losses.
More injured parties – Truck accidents often involve many vehicles, especially when a crash occurs on a busy road. If many people suffer injuries from a truck crash, it can make resolving claims more complex.
More evidence – Thoroughly investigating a truck accident often requires reviewing many more types of evidence, including items like truck driver logs, logs from the truck’s electronic data recorder (black box), surveillance or traffic camera footage, truck inspection and maintenance records, and the load manifest detailing the truck’s cargo.
Complicated insurance and corporate structures – Many trucking companies have complex corporate structures and layered insurance policies that can make it difficult to determine the proper party to sue or how much insurance coverage exists to compensate injured victims.

Why should I hire an attorney to help me with my truck accident case?

Trucking companies and their insurers have considerable financial resources to defend themselves against truck accident claims. You should hire a Rhode Island truck accident attorney from Bottaro Injury Lawyers to help level the playing field. Our seasoned attorneys can thoroughly investigate your case to determine who caused the accident, recover evidence needed to build a persuasive claim, and aggressively pursue truck accident compensation through settlement negotiations or at trial.

Get a trusted car accidents lawyer on your side

Talk to a Truck Accident Lawyer in Newport Now

Let Bottaro Law help you pursue the maximum compensation you need for all your truck accident losses. Contact us today for a free consultation with a truck accident lawyer in Newport.