We Are Available on WhatsApp
Free Injury Consultation Call for family law consultation rates
(800) 811-9495
Español
Make a Payment
lawpay logo
Español Tap to Call(800) 811-9495

Home Truck Accidents

Awards & Memberships

Raleigh truck accident lawyer

Raleigh’s population continues to grow faster than its road capacity. The more crowded the road, the more relatively small cars come into contact with large commercial trucks. The volume of commercial traffic on these roads means that truck accidents happen all too often here – and the consequences of those collisions can be life changing. Serious injuries, income losses, and long recovery timelines are common, as are trucking company insurers that move fast and offer too little.

At Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks we’ve been handling truck accident injury claims for decades. We understand the full weight of what you’re up against and how to fight for the compensation you’re owed.

Reach out to our truck accident lawyers today to get started with a free initial consultation and discuss how our team can help you move forward.

Why Do You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer?

Commercial truck accident claims are significantly more complex than typical car accident cases, and the other side knows it. Trucking companies carry substantial insurance policies (at least $750,000 in North Carolina, and $5 million if hauling hazardous material), and those insurers deploy experienced defense teams whose entire job is to limit what they pay you. If you try to handle your claim alone, you’re going up against professionals who do this every day, without the legal knowledge, investigative resources, or negotiating leverage to match them.

Beyond the imbalance of resources, truck accident cases involve layers of legal and regulatory considerations that most people simply aren’t equipped to handle on their own. Federal trucking regulations, multiple liable parties, and the challenge of preserving time-sensitive evidence all require careful attention from someone who understands how these cases work. An attorney can handle all of these issues for you and make sure you don’t leave money on the table when settling your claim.

To talk to our experienced truck accident attorneys in North Carolina, call (877) 287-5385

How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help with Your Case?

When a serious truck accident happens, the freight company and/or their liability insurance carrier immediately send investigators to the scene. They take many photos of the scene, sometimes talk to the police, and even interview witnesses. They also often take the Event Data Recorders (EDA or “black box”) from all the vehicles involved in the accident. You need to call an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to counter what the insurance investigators are doing.

An experienced attorney from Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks can take on the heavy lifting across every stage of your truck accident injury case, including:

  • Coordinating with your medical providers to document your injuries thoroughly and accurately
  • Investigating the accident scene to gather critical evidence before it disappears
  • Obtaining the truck driver’s logbooks, employment records, and driving history
  • Securing the trucking company’s maintenance and inspection records
  • Working with accident reconstruction experts to establish exactly how the crash occurred, including downloading critical information from the EDR
  • Identifying every potentially liable party and source of compensation
  • Calculating the full value of your claim to account for all of your losses
  • Communicating with insurers so you don’t have to
  • Preparing your case for trial if the opposing party refuses to make a reasonable offer

Our Client Testimonials on Truck Accidents

Excellent communication and was very effective in analyzing the situation and working diligently to resolve the issues. I was very pleased with the professionalism and expertise of the staff and highly recommend them.

Theodocia Shabazz

We are very grateful with this firm, They have been our lawyers for more than 17 years, always excellent service and good communication, in Spanish or English! Younce, Vtipil, attorneys at Law always fighting for the rights of their clients!! For that reason I give them 5 stars if I could I would give them more!!!!

Javier Pintos

Mr. Vtipil was great! Very kind, calm, knowledgeable, and actually cares about you as a person! This law firm is very organized as well. Highly recommend!

Lanie Luck

Read More Reviews

Free Injury Consultation Contact Us Today

Common Causes of Raleigh Truck Accidents

When our firm takes on a truck accident case, one of the first things we do is investigate what caused the crash. The answer isn’t always obvious and, in many cases, there are several factors at play. Pinpointing each factor is what allows us to identify every responsible party and build the strongest possible claim on your behalf.

Some common causes we see in Raleigh truck accident cases include:

  • Impaired driving – Driving under the influence is dangerous in any vehicle, but the stakes are dramatically higher when that vehicle weighs tens of thousands of pounds. Alcohol and drugs can affect a driver’s ability to judge speed and distance, maintain lane position, and react to changing road conditions.
  • Distracted driving – A truck driver who takes their eyes off the road, even briefly, can cover a significant distance before they refocus, especially if they’re traveling at highway speeds. Distractions like texting, adjusting navigation systems, eating, or simply losing concentration can all have catastrophic consequences.
  • Drowsy driving – Federal trucking regulations limit how long commercial truck drivers can be on the road. Still, many truckers are driving for long stretches without enough sleep while trying to meet an unreasonable delivery schedule. When that happens, drivers may be unfocused, react slowly, or even fall asleep at the wheel, resulting in severe collisions. Some truck drivers will falsify records so that they can drive more and earn more money while putting other people on the road at risk.
  • Improper cargo loading – How a truck’s weight is distributed makes a huge difference in how it handles. Cargo that gets loaded unevenly, secured poorly, or overloaded beyond legal limits can shift during transit. That movement can throw the truck off balance, making the truck swerve or even flip over.
  • Vehicle defects – Commercial trucking companies have a legal duty to keep their fleets in safe working condition. If they cut corners on brake inspections, tire replacements, or other routine maintenance, they put everyone on the road at risk. Vehicle defects can also stem from manufacturing issues, regardless of how well a carrier maintains a vehicle.
  • Speeding and aggressive driving – The stopping distance that’s necessary for a fully-loaded 18-wheeler is far greater than what a passenger car requires. Commercial vehicle drivers who speed, tailgate, or make aggressive lane changes leave themselves almost no margin for error.
Contact our truck accident attorneys through our online contact form today

Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident?

Truck accident claims frequently involve multiple liable parties. Commercial trucking operations require cooperation between several companies, contractors, and individuals – any of which could be partially or fully responsible for a crash.

Depending on the circumstances, liability could extend to:

  • The truck driver
  • The trucking company or motor carrier
  • The owner of the truck or trailer, if different from the carrier
  • The company responsible for loading or securing the cargo
  • The manufacturer of the truck or a specific truck part
  • A third-party maintenance contractor responsible for servicing the vehicle
  • A government entity responsible for designing or maintaining the road
  • Another road user whose misconduct contributed to the collision
Clients Are Talking
About Our Firm

How Truck Accident Cases Are Handled in North Carolina

Truck accident cases in North Carolina typically begin with a thorough investigation of the crash. Your attorney will work to gather and preserve evidence quickly, including the truck’s black box data, the truck driver’s logbooks, the carrier’s maintenance records, any available dashcam or surveillance footage, and testimony from witnesses. In more complex cases, they might call in accident reconstruction experts to determine exactly how the collision occurred and who bears responsibility.

Once you have finished the healing process and your doctor says either that you have fully recovered or that you will have permanent injuries, your lawyer will present a “demand brochure” with the liability insurer and begin negotiations. This stage can take time, particularly if multiple parties share liability or if your injuries require ongoing treatment.

It’s worth waiting until you have a full understanding of your future care needs before agreeing to any settlement, since you can’t go back and ask for more money once you sign off. If the insurer refuses to offer fair compensation, your attorney might recommend taking the case to trial and letting a jury decide the outcome.

Compensation Available for Truck Accident Victims

Truck accidents can upend your finances, your health, your career, and your personal life. North Carolina law gives you the right to seek monetary compensation for your truck accident injuries and related losses, such as:

  • Current and future medical costs related to your crash injuries
  • Lost wages for the time you couldn’t work while recovering
  • Reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work in the future
  • Pain and suffering and reduced quality of life
  • Repair or replacement costs for damage to your vehicle or other personal property
  • Out-of-pocket expenses related to your injury and recovery

Time Limit to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in North Carolina

In North Carolina, you generally have three years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under N.C.G.S. § 1-52 – with some exceptions.

Key details regarding the North Carolina statute of limitations include:

  • Property damage – The three-year limit also generally applies to vehicle damage.
  • Wrongful death – Claims must be filed within two years of the date of death under C.G.S. § 1-53.
  • Minors – The three-year statute of limitations for injured minors does not begin until they turn 18. The parents’ statute of limitations is three years if they are responsible for the child’s medical bills.
  • Other states – If the accident happens in another state, that state’s statute of limitations will apply. Some neighboring states have statutes of limitations as short as one year.

You might think you have plenty of time, but it can go by faster than you might expect, especially when you’re focused on recovering from serious injuries. If you miss the filing deadline, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case, and there is always nothing your lawyer can do about it. You’ll lose your right to pursue compensation entirely, regardless of how strong your claim is.

Some law firms refuse to take a case that is less than a year from the statute of limitations, while others may take a case as late as six months before the statute of limitations runs. Law firms must have time to thoroughly investigate the claim. If the lawyer can’t find out about all the possible defendants before the statute of limitations runs, your lawyer will not be able to bring them into the lawsuit, thus limiting the money you could have gotten.

The sooner you contact our experienced truck accident lawyers, the better. We can act quickly to preserve evidence before it disappears and move your claim forward on schedule. That way, you don’t have to worry about losing the right to file a semi-truck accident lawsuit or running into avoidable delays that could put your case at risk.

Truck Accidents Frequently Asked Questions

Trucking Accidents

What are some of the most common tractor trailer accidents?

The most common types of tractor trailer accidents are:

  • Head on collisions
  • Rear end collisions
  • Broadside collisions
  • Center lane crossover
  • Lane change collisions
  • Jack-knifed trucks
  • Loss of control of vehicle
  • Hit and Run

About the Author


Is there a difference between a tractor trailer accident and a car accident?

Trucking accidents are different from auto accidents in many ways, one of the most serious being the extent of damages and injuries when a truck and an automobile collide. Because big rigs, 18 wheelers and tractor-trailers can weigh in excess of 80,000 pounds, a trucking collision can have deadly consequences.

About the Author


Are there additional laws that apply to truckers to keep the roads safer?

There are unique laws and regulations that are designed specifically to protect motorists from the negligent actions of truck drivers and trucking companies. Federal and state regulations require truckers to have adequate rest to prevent driver fatigue on the highway. There are also other specific rules for trucks including proper loading of the materials the truck is carrying and safety rules on traveling speeds and when passing other vehicles.

About the Author


Are there any federal regulations governing truck drivers?

Trucking companies are required to follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s regulations concerning equipment and hours of service. Truck drivers are also required to maintain a driver’s log; however the timeframe is limited. Federal regulations require commercial trucks to carry certain levels of insurance coverage, depending on the nature of materials hauled. These regulations protect victims of large truck crashes from truck owners who may not have the financial resources to pay damages out-of-pocket.

About the Author


How do I recover compensation for damages in a tractor trailer case?

In order to get compensation, an attorney will need to show the truck driver failed to use due care in the operation of the truck. Typically, in cases where serious injury has resulted, a plaintiff will have claims for pain and suffering, negligent and/or intentional infliction of emotional distress, and loss of consortium.

About the Author


How soon do I need to bring a case in a tractor trailer collision?

You need to contact an attorney at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., as soon as possible. In truck collisions, federal regulations require that certain essential evidence only be maintained for a limited amount of time. For instance, the truck driver’s log may be destroyed after six months if an attorney does not obtain a court order or take other immediate action.

About the Author


Who will pay my medical bills in a tractor trailer accident?

The truck company may not pay your medical bills immediately. However, your own insurance will often contain medical payment provisions to pay for bills ranging from funeral costs to x-rays. It is usually not your best interest to sign a medical release/authorization or to give a statement to the trucking company or any insurance company before contacting an attorney. Contact an attorney at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., today to discuss your situation and injuries.

About the Author


What are the common causes of truck accidents?

Some of the most common causes of trucking accidents include:

  • Lack of training
  • Overloaded trucks
  • Oversized trucks
  • Brake failure/defect
  • Poor driving conditions
  • Driver inexperience
  • Fatigue
  • Speeding
  • Running off the road
  • Failure to yield the right of way
  • Aggressive driving behavior
  • Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
  • Dangerous or reckless driving
  • Mechanical failure

About the Author


Who can sue in a personal injury case involving a truck accident injury?

Anyone who is injured or has had a loved one killed in a truck accident can sue as long as some other person or entity, besides the person suing, is at fault for the accident. This includes adults and children (who can sue through guardians or parents); and even truck drivers if another person or entity was at fault for the accident.

About the Author


What are the “hours of service” rules?

Under federal “hours of service” regulations, which took effect January 2004, interstate commercial drivers are not allowed to drive more than 11 consecutive hours or drive after 14 hours on duty until they have had a 10-hour break. In addition, according to federal regulations, commercial truck drivers cannot drive after accruing 60 work hours during a 7-day period or 70 work hours during an 8-day period.

About the Author


Do I need an attorney to litigate my truck accident case?

Unless you have a very minor injury, which is rare in truck accident cases, you should retain an attorney at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. An experienced truck accident attorney can secure vital evidence before it is destroyed, and can establish liability against any potential defendants to help maximize your damage recovery.

About the Author



Our truck accident lawyers are ready to assist you with your case. Call us at (877) 287-5385
Younce Vtipil Baznik & Banks personal injury law team

Get in Touch with Our Raleigh Truck Accident Attorneys

Truck accident claims are highly complex. The last thing you need while recovering from serious injuries is to be dealing with insurance adjusters and navigating the legal system. You need an attorney you can trust to get you through every step of your recovery and keep you up to date throughout the process. That’s where Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks come in.

Our lawyers have spent decades building a reputation for exactly the kind of hands-on representation you deserve. Our team has over 100 years of combined experience and bilingual English- and Spanish-speaking staff able to communicate in whatever language you prefer. We’ve recovered more than $150 million in meaningful compensation for injured North Carolinians and are ready to help you pursue the fair outcome you deserve.*

Here’s how one former client describes working with our firm:

“My experience with Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., was extremely pleasant. They were very informative and they kept me updated during the entire process. I cant say enough good things about the company.” – Former Client

You’ve seen what clients say about working with Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks. Now let us show you what our team can do for you. Whether you’re still feeling uncertain about your next steps or you’re ready to take action right now, our Raleigh truck accident lawyers are here to listen and help you move forward. Call us today at (919) 661-9000 for your free initial consultation.

*Each case is unique, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Contact us Today
(800) 811-9495|(919) 661-9000
WhatsApp