Attorney for Commercial Vehicle and Trucking Accidents in Bangor, ME

Being involved in a truck accident with a commercial vehicle can be a harrowing experience. It can also leave you in a financially perilous position because of significant medical bills at a time when you may not be able to work. If you’re in this situation, you need the help of our seasoned commercial truck accident attorneys in Bangor.

At Gideon Asen, we understand that clients trust us to assist them at their most vulnerable time. We have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for injured clients using a science-based, data-driven approach, and we can leverage our extensive network and skills to help you, too.

Benefits of Hiring Our Experienced Bangor Commercial Truck Accident Attorneys

When you have been hurt in a truck crash caused by a negligent driver, the other side’s insurer generally has one objective in mind: resolving your injury claim as quickly as possible, for as little as possible. We can help you fight back.

Our dedicated legal professionals are committed to thoroughly investigating every case to ensure you are in the best position to receive the full amount of compensation you’re entitled to under Maine law. Additionally, we can offer support in these key ways:

• Review crash reports, photographs, and witness statements to determine who is legally responsible for your injuries
• Speak with eyewitnesses, officers, and individuals connected to the at-fault driver, such as the truck driver’s employer, to gather additional information
• Collect medical records, statements from your loved ones, wage and attendance records from your employer, and other evidence to determine your case’s value
• Keep you informed of your case’s progress and what you can expect next 
• Discuss with you your legal options at each crucial juncture so that you feel empowered to pursue the resolution that is best for you
• Act as your spokesperson and advocate in all communications, court proceedings, and negotiations

We know that a wreck can change your life for the long term. Hiring us means securing representation from a client-centered team that regularly takes on cases other firms turn down. Our top-rated trial attorneys aren’t afraid to step into the courtroom to serve as your champion.

What Is a Truck Accident Claim?

When negligence is the culprit behind a truck crash that injures you, you can be left with significant losses and expenses. These include hospital bills, lost wages, and lower future earnings. Your quality of life can also be negatively affected by posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression.

Fortunately, Maine law allows you to hold the at-fault party accountable to compensate you for these financial and other losses through a truck accident claim. Injury victims can typically bring such a claim after an accident with commercial vehicles if the following are true:

Duty of Care

You’ll first need to establish that the truck driver, the trucker’s employer, or someone else owed you a duty of care. This is a legal obligation to drive, load cargo, or take on other transportation-related activities in a reasonably careful manner to avoid endangering others on the road.

Negligence

Negligence is a breach of the duty of care, encompassing actions or choices that a reasonably careful person in the same situation would not make. There must be evidence that some other person committed at least one negligent act for your case to proceed.  

Examples of negligent behavior that truckers may commit include:

• Exceeding the speed limit or violating other traffic laws
• Driving while fatigued or in violation of out-of-service rules
• Consuming alcohol or drugs while operating a commercial motor vehicle
• Operating a truck without regard for its roadworthiness
• Continuing to drive a truck when it is apparent that the truck has a defect

Other related parties can also act negligently. For example, the driver’s employer may not have properly trained the trucker or continued to employ the driver despite a troubling driving record. Similarly, a freight company that fails to properly load a trailer may be found to be negligent.

Causation

There must be evidence to show that the other party’s negligence caused your truck accident. Sometimes, this is straightforward, such as when a speeding truck runs a red light and collides with you. Other times, our Bangor commercial truck accident lawyers may consult experts and reconstructionists to show how the crash happened.

Injuries

Finally, your claim must include the amount of compensation you are requesting, and that amount must be supported by evidence. Our skilled truck accident lawyers will leave no stone unturned in seeking compensation for your past and future expenses and can ensure that whatever amount your case is worth is properly supported.

It’s important to leave the protection of your legal rights to the best team. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash involving a commercial truck, speak with our trusted truck accident attorneys immediately. We can determine whether you have a valid claim for compensation and help you make an informed decision about moving forward.

Mistakes to Avoid After a Trucking Accident in Bangor

After commercial truck accidents, the steps victims take can have a profound impact on the compensation they recover. Common mistakes to avoid that can limit your recovery include the following:

Saying the Crash Was Your Fault

Even if you are reasonably certain you caused the accident, you don’t want to admit to this to other drivers or law enforcement. Instead, allow our commercial truck accident lawyers to perform an intensive investigation into your crash and make this determination based on the evidence.

Failing to Seek Medical Help

Trucking accidents can cause serious injuries, including brain and back injuries. You may not immediately notice any symptoms due to the adrenaline in your system that results from the accident. Getting a prompt and accurate diagnosis as quickly as possible helps prevent further, more permanent harm from setting in.

Taking a Quick Settlement Offer

When the trucker or their employer is clearly at fault, you may be approached with a settlement offer. Often, offers made under these circumstances are not enough to fully address all of your losses. Once you accept a settlement, though, it is generally too late to seek more compensation. 

Instead, consult with one of our professional commercial truck accident attorneys about any settlement offer before you accept it. We can help you decide whether the offer is fair and addresses your needs.

FAQ

Contact Our Bangor Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers Today

Sorting through the aftermath of a crash with a commercial vehicle is time-consuming and traumatic. With your legal rights and financial compensation on the line, the stress and anxiety you already feel are undoubtedly amplified. Let the Gideon Asen team be your advocates and guides during this time.

Our premier truck accident attorneys understand the importance of quick and effective legal help to achieve the results you need. With our years of experience in and out of the courtroom behind you, you can have the peace of mind that your case is in good hands. Contact us and request a free case consultation to get started today.