Attorneys for Commercial Vehicle and Trucking Accidents in Maine

Commercial trucks typically weigh close to, if not more than, 80,000 pounds. It should, therefore, come as no surprise that should any of these massive vehicles slam into you, the force applied by their sheer weight can cause catastrophic injuries.

Fortunately, though, you have rights you can exercise after such a disastrous truck accident. With the help of a commercial truck accident attorney, any motorist, pedestrian, or cyclist injured by these vehicles (or the personal representatives of anyone killed by commercial trucks) on Maine’s roads can pursue compensation from the negligent parties involved.

The premier truck accident lawyers at Gideon Asen have extensive experience fighting for victims of truck crashes in Maine, and we have a long record of success to show for it, including millions of dollars in truck crash settlements and court awards. Contact us today to start your personal injury case against the entity responsible for your injuries.

Types of Maine Trucking Accident Cases We Handle

Our aggressive commercial truck accident lawyers handle accidents involving all truck types, including the following:

• Semitrucks
• Logging trucks
• Snowplows
• Garbage trucks
• Road maintenance and repair trucks
• Construction vehicles

We also handle all types of truck accidents. The following examples illustrate just some of the most common crashes in Maine:

• Lost or shifting load accidents
• Snow or ice-related accidents
• Jackknife accidents
• Rollover accidents
• Speeding accidents
• Accidents resulting from driver fatigue
• OUI truck accidents
• Accidents caused by equipment failures

Maine truck accidents can clearly take many forms, but as long as yours was caused by a trucking company's negligence, you can seek to recover injury compensation regardless of the truck type or nature of the accident. When you schedule a free consultation with our knowledgeable truck accident attorneys, we will review the facts of your case and identify the possible legal claims you can pursue.

Injuries You May Suffer in an 18-Wheeler Accident in Maine

The sheer mass of a fully loaded commercial truck can generate enormous crash energy. And at freeway speeds, a collision with a semi can easily produce life-changing injuries and disabilities, such as:

• Brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Bone fractures
• Soft tissue injuries
• Crushing injuries
• Burn injuries

Not helping matters is that the visibility from the cab of a semitruck is poor, with blind spots directly in front of the truck, behind the trailer, and along both sides of the tractor-trailer combination. As a result, truck drivers can lose sight of pedestrians and bicyclists when maneuvering on city streets. 

As these individuals have little to no protection from the full force of a collision, they can suffer incapacitating or outright fatal injuries in the initial (or secondary) impact. Trauma to the head, chest, and spine can permanently damage the brain, organs, and spinal cord.

Compensation Victims Can Seek After Maine Commercial Truck Accidents

Under Maine law, you can seek compensation for economic losses suffered due to someone else’s negligent or wrongful acts. Such losses encompass any money you spent or lost due to your injuries, such as:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Prescription drug costs
• Physical therapy costs
• Past income losses
• Future reduced earnings due to disabilities

You are also entitled to seek compensation for non-economic losses, which include the following intangible effects of your injuries on your quality of life:

• Pain
• Mental and physical suffering
• Emotional distress
• Disability and inconvenience
• Disfigurement
• Dismemberment

Our attorneys will work with you to gather the evidence needed to prove your losses, including medical bills, receipts, and wage records.

How a Premier Commercial Truck Accident Attorney in Maine from Gideon Asen Fights for You

Truck accidents are typically more complex than standard motor vehicle accidents. However, our aggressive truck accident attorneys can pursue claims against trucking companies for any negligent act.

Truck operators are typically liable for the actions of their employee drivers. In other words, we can often pursue claims against the company even though the accident resulted from driver error. Thus, a trucking company will likely bear the liability when a truck driver speeds on an icy road, for instance, and slams into your car after losing control of their vehicle as a result.

Trucking companies may also be liable for the acts of independent drivers. For example, one might be liable after allowing a visibly intoxicated owner-operator to deliver a load. Similarly, the company may be responsible for a crash after hiring an independent driver with a poor driving record.

Some additional grounds for pursuing claims against trucking companies for Maine truck accidents include the following:

Negligent Training and Supervision

Trucking companies have a legal duty to reasonably train and supervise their workers, from those producing delivery schedules and loading trucks to those driving on the roads. Furthermore, the company must ensure that its workers take reasonable steps to safeguard the safety of fellow road users. It, therefore, may be liable in the event that any of its workers take shortcuts or engage in practices that endanger motorists and pedestrians.

Negligent Loading

In addition to loading cargo within a truck’s trailer, workers must also secure and balance the load, ensuring it does not cause undue wear on the vehicle or shift while in transit. When workers load a trailer incorrectly, the driver can lose their cargo. And even if it does not fall onto the road, it can still throw the entire truck or trailer off-balance, causing a rollover accident.

Negligent Maintenance

Federal laws require trucking companies to adequately maintain their equipment, including trucks and trailers. Companies that unreasonably neglect their equipment may be liable when it fails and causes an accident. 

In particular, the following systems are often responsible for equipment-related truck crashes:

• Brakes
• Wheels or tires
• Trailer hitches
• Anchor points and tie-downs

Trucking companies must also repair their vehicles when drivers report problems. Thus, any company that ignores driver concerns regarding equipment may bear the liability of any crash that results from inaction.

Driver Fatigue

Federal trucking regulations also set the maximum hours (and minimum rest periods) for truck drivers. However, trucking companies are all too keen on meeting delivery schedules by any means necessary, which causes many drivers to feel pressured to go beyond the legal limits and drive when they are not capable. Companies that push drivers to operate while fatigued may be responsible for any resulting collisions.

Drug and Alcohol Testing Failures

Trucking companies must perform drug and alcohol tests in the following situations:

• Before hiring a driver
• After an accident
• Upon suspicion of intoxication
• Before reinstating a driver suspended for drug or alcohol use
• Randomly

Companies that fail to meet these drug and alcohol testing requirements may be liable for crashes caused by impaired drivers.

FAQ

Contact Us to Discuss Your Injuries With an Experienced Commercial Truck Accident Attorney in Maine

You can suffer catastrophic or even fatal injuries in an accident with commercial vehicles in Maine, forcing you and your family to endure significant hardships and financial losses. 

Contact Gideon Asen for a free consultation to discuss your accident with an experienced and aggressive commercial truck accident attorney and learn how we can help you recover life-changing financial compensation for your injuries.