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Manchester Truck Accident Lawyer

A truck accident claim can be much more complex than a typical motor vehicle accident claim. Given the size of the vehicles involved, the injuries are often more severe. In addition, truck accidents often involve more parties, and key evidence is typically controlled by a trucking company or another business.

After a commercial truck accident in Manchester, the trucking company and its insurers will likely begin investigating and developing a strategy immediately. Meanwhile, you’ll likely be dealing with a painful recovery, missed time from work, and mounting medical bills. Level the playing field by putting the Manchester truck accident lawyers at Rob Levine Law to work for you. We’ll investigate, identify the responsible parties, obtain all the relevant evidence, and build the strongest possible claim to pursue the full compensation you are owed.

Find out what your case is worth.

Why a Truck Claim Is Not Simply a Bigger Car Accident Claim

Due to the sheer size of commercial trucks and the force of the impact, trucking accidents often lead to serious injuries with lasting impacts on victims’ lives. However, the size of the vehicles involved is just one difference between truck accidents and car accidents. What often makes a commercial truck claim so complex is the business operation behind the vehicle.

For instance, consider a tractor-trailer that jackknifes while changing lanes on I-93 near Manchester. The driver’s actions may be the initial focus of the claim, but improper loading, mechanical problems, or trucking company policies may have contributed to the loss of control. Thus, liability for a truck accident often extends beyond the truck driver.

If the driver is an employee, the trucking company may be held vicariously liable for the driver’s negligence. The trucking company may also be directly liable when its own actions and omissions contribute to the accident. In addition, a maintenance provider, parts manufacturer, cargo-loading company, or government entity responsible for road conditions may contribute to an accident.

Thus, determining liability for an accident involving a commercial truck can require looking beyond the seconds immediately before impact to build a full picture of everything that led up to it. Commercial trucking companies generate records regarding the hours worked, routes driven, inspections performed, repairs completed, and cargo transported. Following a crash, those records can provide vital information that would not exist in an ordinary collision between two passenger vehicles.

Federal Trucking Regulations

Federal safety regulations may also come into play in a commercial trucking accident claim. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates areas including driver qualifications and commercial licensing, hours-of-service limits, vehicle inspection and maintenance, cargo securement, and drug and alcohol testing. Violations of these regulations may be used to establish negligence by the driver and the company.

Evidence That Can Quickly Disappear After a Truck Crash

Some of the most useful evidence of a truck accident is likely controlled by the trucking company or another business. Vehicles can be repaired, electronic data can be overwritten, and records may eventually be disposed of in accordance with applicable retention practices.

A commercial truck claim may require obtaining the following evidence:

Evidence categoryWhat it may help establishHow it can become unavailable
Electronic and onboard dataSpeed, braking, and vehicle activity in the moments before impactData may be overwritten as the vehicle continues operating
Driver records and logsDriving time, rest periods, and route historyRecords may be retained only for a limited period
Maintenance and inspection recordsWhether mechanical problems were identified and how they were addressedRecords may be held by the carrier or a third-party provider
The truck itselfThe condition of tires, brakes, coupling equipment, and other components after the crashThe truck may be repaired or returned to service
Cargo and loading recordsWhat the truck was carrying and whether loading or securement contributed to the accidentRecords may be controlled by the carrier, shipper, or another company

This is why timing matters. A Manchester truck accident lawyer can send preservation requests for relevant evidence before routine record changes or repairs are made, making important information more difficult to obtain.

Following Distance and Truck-Specific Rules in New Hampshire

New Hampshire law prohibits drivers from following another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent based on speed, traffic, and roadway conditions. The same law imposes an additional spacing requirement for certain trucks traveling outside business or residential districts.

That rule can become relevant after a rear-end or congested-traffic collision. For example, a tractor-trailer traveling on I-293 near Exit 5 may need substantially more room to respond when traffic ahead slows. If the truck fails to slow and strikes a passenger vehicle from behind, the driver’s speed, following distance, traffic conditions, and actions before the collision may all matter when determining fault.

Truck drivers must also respond appropriately to changing roadway conditions. During a New Hampshire winter, a tractor-trailer traveling along Hooksett Road may need to reduce its speed and increase the distance available to stop when ice or snow makes the roadway more dangerous.

A violation of a traffic or safety requirement can provide important evidence of negligence, but it does not automatically determine the outcome of a truck accident claim.

What Compensation Can a Truck Accident Claim Cover?

A collision with a commercial truck can cause injuries that affect your life well beyond the initial hospital visit. When recovery takes months or an injury creates lasting limitations, a claim may need to account for both what you have already lost and what you may need in the future.

You generally can seek compensation for the following damages:

  • Medical expenses: You can pursue compensation for the costs of emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, and other necessary care.
  • Future medical treatment: Serious injuries may require additional procedures, therapy, or ongoing care.
  • Lost income: Compensation may account for wages and other earnings lost while you are unable to work.
  • Reduced earning capacity: An injury that prevents you from returning to the same work may affect your ability to earn income in the future.
  • Pain and suffering: You can seek compensation for the physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the impacts on your daily life.

Calculate the Value of Your Case

Use our free personal injury settlement calculator to determine how much your case may be worth. This calculator is designed to give you a value with a range based on thousands of case we have settled.

How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire’s statute of limitations generally gives you three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, don’t wait to act. Speaking with a Manchester personal injury lawyer early gives you the best shot at building a strong claim and meeting the filing deadline.

Why Manchester Truck Accident Victims Turn to Rob Levine Law

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Manchester, you are already dealing with painful injuries and their effects on your life. The last thing you need is the added stress of battling a trucking company and its insurer. You need an advocate on your side to protect your rights and seek the full compensation you deserve.

Rob Levine Law provides our clients with aggressive and compassionate representation while adhering to the strictest ethical standards. We have helped more than 50,000 people over 25 years and recovered more than $2 billion in injury compensation and disability benefits.

Call (888) 791-9135 or contact us online today for a free consultation with a truck accident attorney in Manchester.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Manchester Truck Accident Lawyer?

We charge a standard 33% contingency fee for truck accident cases, with a reduced 25% rate for first responders, including police, fire, rescue, and military personnel. We are deeply committed to fee transparency, meaning you’ll know our fee structure from the outset. And with our Fee Free Guarantee®, you won’t pay unless we recover compensation for you.

A trucking company may be vicariously liable for its driver’s conduct based on the employment relationship and may also be directly responsible for its own actions, such as negligent hiring, training, supervision, or maintenance. Determining whether you can sue the trucking company requires looking at the driver’s relationship with the company and the company’s role in the crash.

If your vehicle is declared a total loss, you generally can pursue a property damage claim and seek to recover the fair market value of your vehicle. The insurer will typically determine its value immediately before the crash and use that amount to formulate an offer. Disputes can arise over the vehicle’s value or which insurer is responsible, particularly when multiple parties are involved in a truck accident.

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Office Location

Manchester, NH

103 Liberty Street, Manchester, NH 03104

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