Watertown Truck Accident Lawyer

When a massive commercial truck collides with your passenger vehicle, the consequences can be life-altering. The sheer size and weight difference between an 18-wheeler and a regular car means that even seemingly minor collisions can cause severe harm to occupants of smaller vehicles.

At D’Amico Pettinicchi, our team has a proud history of fighting for trucking accident victims in Watertown and throughout Connecticut. Our work has earned us national recognition for our aggressive advocacy and commitment to our clients. We have recovered millions of dollars for families affected by trucking accidents, helping them secure the resources they need to rebuild their lives.

Don’t let trucking companies escape accountability for their negligence. Discover how we can help you secure the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact an experienced Watertown truck accident lawyer today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Why You Should Hire a Watertown Attorney for Your Truck Accident Claim

When you hire D’Amico Pettinicchi, our lawyers can offer the following advantages in your fight against trucking companies and their insurers:

• We understand the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) regulations governing the trucking industry and can identify violations that contributed to the accident.
• We know how to secure crucial evidence, such as electronic logging device data, maintenance records, and driver qualification files, before they can be altered or destroyed.
• We can identify all potentially liable parties, including drivers, trucking companies, cargo loaders, and maintenance providers.
• We work with accident reconstruction specialists, trucking industry experts, and medical professionals to build compelling cases.
• Our attorneys hold dual board certification in civil trial advocacy and civil pretrial practice, demonstrating our proven courtroom success.

What Should You Do After a Truck Accident?

A truck accident injury can make it difficult to think clearly. However, you can protect your health and legal rights by taking the following steps:

• Seek Medical Attention – Even if you don’t think you’re injured, you should get evaluated right away. Adrenaline from the accident can make it difficult to notice the symptoms of serious trauma.
• Call Law Enforcement – Make sure the responding officer completes an official accident report documenting the incident.
• Document the Scene – Take photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, truck identification numbers, and any visible injuries you may have.
• Gather Information – Collect the truck driver’s details and insurance information, as well as contact information for any witnesses.
• Avoid Giving Detailed Statements – Provide only basic facts to police and avoid discussing fault or giving recorded statements to insurance companies.
• Contact Our Firm Immediately – Early legal intervention helps preserve evidence and can prevent trucking companies from destroying records.

Why Are Trucking Accidents More Complicated Than Other Motor Vehicle Collisions?

Truck accident case proceedings tend to be more complex than those involving two passenger vehicles. This is due to factors such as the following:

• Federal Regulations – The trucking industry operates under FMCSA regulations that cover driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and cargo securement.
• Multiple Parties – Accidents involving commercial vehicles often involve defendants beyond the other driver, including trucking companies, vehicle manufacturers, cargo loaders, maintenance providers, and leasing companies.
• Higher Stakes – Semi-truck accidents often result in more severe injuries and higher financial losses.
• Evidence Complexity – Electronic control module data, GPS tracking information, maintenance records, driver logs, and qualification files all play a role in commercial accident cases.
• Insurance Complications – Commercial policies often involve multiple layers of coverage with different insurers, policy limits, and exclusions.

Our experienced truck accident law firm knows how to overcome these challenges to build successful cases for our clients.

Who Could Be Liable for a Trucking Accident?

Potentially liable parties in a truck accident case include the following:

• Truck drivers, for violations like speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence, fatigue, or violating hours-of-service regulations
• Trucking companies, for inadequate driver training, unrealistic delivery schedules, poor vehicle maintenance, negligent hiring practices, or pressuring drivers to violate safety regulations
• Vehicle manufacturers, when defective parts like brakes, tires, steering systems, or electronic components contribute to accidents
• Maintenance providers, for failing to properly inspect, repair, or maintain commercial vehicles according to safety standards
• Cargo loading companies, when poorly secured cargo causes a loss of control that leads to accidents
• Leasing companies, when they lease vehicles without ensuring proper maintenance or driver qualifications
• Government entities, for dangerous road conditions, inadequate signage, poor construction zone management, or defective traffic control devices

Our team can conduct a comprehensive investigation to identify all liable parties and maximize your opportunities for compensation.

What Compensation Could You Recover in a Truck Accident Claim?

Commercial vehicles typically carry higher insurance limits than passenger cars, so you may be able to secure more significant compensation for your injuries. Truck accident compensation may include the following:

In fatal truck accident cases, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and the immeasurable loss of their loved one’s companionship and guidance.

What Happens if You’re Partly to Blame for a Trucking Accident?

Connecticut follows a modified comparative negligence system. In essence, this means that you can still recover compensation even if you bear partial responsibility for the accident. However, your percentage of fault will reduce your compensation, and you cannot recover anything if you’re found more than 50 percent responsible. For example, if you were found 25 percent at fault for a trucking accident and awarded $100,000 in damages, you would receive $75,000 after the 25 percent fault reduction.

The experienced attorneys at D’Amico Pettinicchi know how to build strong arguments that protect your interests and maximize your potential compensation when multiple parties share responsibility for the accident.

How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Connecticut?

Connecticut’s statute of limitations generally provides two years from the accident date to file a truck accident lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically results in the permanent loss of your right to seek compensation. As such, it is essential to enlist the services of a knowledgeable Watertown truck accident attorney as soon as possible to preserve your rights.

What Is Considered a Truck in Connecticut?

Connecticut law defines commercial motor vehicles as those with a gross vehicle weight rating exceeding 26,000 pounds, designed to transport goods or passengers for commercial purposes. This includes various big rig vehicles and commercial trucks, including the following:

Each vehicle type presents specific accident risks and regulatory requirements that affect how liability is determined in your truck accident claim.

Common Types of Commercial, Big Rig, and Semi-Truck Accidents

The types of truck accident cases our team frequently works on include the following:

• Jackknife accidents, when the trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab
• Underride collisions, when passenger vehicles slide under truck trailers
• Rollover accidents, often caused by excessive speed, improper loading, or mechanical failures
• Rear-end collisions, due to inadequate following distance, brake failures, or distracted driving
• Blind spot accidents, when truckers change lanes without seeing smaller vehicles in their significant blind spots
• Wide turn accidents, when trucks make right turns and strike vehicles in adjacent lanes
• Tire blowout accidents, caused by poor maintenance, overloading, or defective tires

What Injuries Can Someone Sustain in a Truck Accident?

The forces involved in these trucking accidents can cause life-threatening trauma requiring extensive medical treatment. Common serious injuries include the following:

Even seemingly minor injuries from truck crashes can have long-term consequences requiring ongoing medical care and significantly affecting your ability to work and enjoy life.

Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Watertown Today

When you’re living in the wake of a trucking accident, you need experienced advocates who understand the challenges these cases present. At D’Amico Pettinicchi, we have decades of experience in trucking accidents, as well as aggressive litigation tactics that deliver results for our clients.

Our team strikes the ideal balance of big-firm resources with the personal attention your family deserves during this difficult time. Other lawyers throughout Connecticut trust us to handle their most complex cases because they know we have the skills and the track record to achieve successful outcomes against major trucking companies and their insurers.

We offer free, confidential consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your case. During your no-obligation case review, our attentive team will listen compassionately to your story and explain how we can fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

When It’s Time to Fight the Good Fight℠, D’Amico Pettinicchi is ready to stand by your side and hold negligent trucking companies accountable for the harm they’ve caused. Contact an experienced truck accident lawyer in Watertown today to schedule your free consultation and discover how we can help you rebuild your life after a serious trucking accident.