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South Kingstown Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accidents differ from typical passenger vehicle crashes because they typically involve larger commercial vehicles carrying heavy loads. Most semi-trucks are nearly 20 to 30 times larger than a standard car—weighing up to 80,000 pounds—and need up to 40% more space to stop. Therefore, drivers and passengers in truck accidents are much more likely to suffer catastrophic injuries.

Truck crash cases also often involve multiple liable parties and violations of federal trucking regulations, complicating claims and making it more difficult to secure fair compensation.

No matter how complex your case may seem, our dedicated team at Rob Levine Law has the experience you need. Contact our law office today to schedule a consultation with a seasoned attorney.

Find out what your case is worth.

How Can a Lawyer Help After a Truck Accident in South Kingstown?

By partnering with a South Kingstown lawyer on your truck accident case, you secure numerous benefits from a comprehensive investigation to guidance with the overall claims process. Your attorney will work hard to determine liability, especially when multiple parties are involved, and negotiate with insurers on your behalf to secure maximum compensation.

At Rob Levine Law, our team has over 25 years of experience with a focus on advocating for those in need. We have served over 50,000 people and recovered over $2 billion in disability benefits and injury compensation. With an aggressive approach to personal injury cases, 24/7 availability, total fee transparency, and our Win or no fee ™, Fee Free Guarantee ®, you can trust our lawyers with your case.

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Meet Our South Kingstown Truck Accident Attorneys

What Types of Injuries Can Be Compensated in a Truck Accident Claim?

Truck accidents often result in a range of injuries, from moderate to severe. Common injuries in South Kingstown truck accidents include the following:

  • Head Injuries and Brain Trauma
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Fractures and Broken Bones
  • Internal Injuries
  • Soft Tissue Injuries
  • Psychological Trauma

The value of a truck accident claim depends on the severity and extent of your injuries, the strength of your case, the applicable insurance coverage, the willingness of the parties to settle, and more. You may pursue compensation for a variety of economic and non-economic damages, such as the following:

The purpose of these compensable damages is to make the victim whole, restoring them as much as possible to their former condition before the accident.

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.

What Makes Determining Liability More Complicated in Truck Accident Claims?

Liability tends to be more complex in truck accident cases due to the involvement of multiple parties, the applicability of federal and state regulations, and insurance complications.

Factor 1: Multiple Liable Parties

Truck crashes often involve more than just the drivers. The following parties may be liable for a truck accident:

  • Truck drivers: Truckers must operate their vehicles safely and avoid harming others on the road. If they fail in this duty, they may be liable. For instance, a large semi-truck collides with a passenger vehicle on Route 138 near Kingstown Road when the trucker fails to check their blind spots before merging. As a result, the driver of the smaller vehicle suffers a severe leg fracture and whiplash.
  • Trucking companies: Trucking companies may be held vicariously liable for their employees’ actions. In addition, they may be liable for their own negligence. For example, suppose an inexperienced trucker makes reckless maneuvers on I-95, causing a collision with another driver. The trucking company may be held liable for negligent hiring practices.
  • Truck manufacturers: Truck and parts makers may face liability if their defective products cause an accident. For instance, if a truck malfunctions on Route 1 due to a defective steering mechanism and rolls over, colliding with multiple other vehicles, the manufacturer may be liable for damages.
  • Cargo loaders: Loading companies and shippers have a duty to properly load and secure cargo and can be liable if their failure to do so contributes to an accident. For instance, if the cargo on a semi-truck becomes loose and scatters onto I-95, causing another vehicle to crash, the parties responsible for loading and securing the load can be held liable.
  • Maintenance providers: Repair shops could be liable if a maintenance failure contributes to an accident. For example, if a truck crashes on Route 1 in South Kingstown when its brakes fail, a repair shop may be liable if a mechanic failed to replace worn parts during service, leading to the accident.

Factor 2: Federal and State Regulations

The FMCSA regulates the travel of commercial vehicles throughout the country. All truckers and their companies must comply with the following regulations:

  • Hours-of-service limits: Drivers may operate a commercial vehicle for a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty and cannot exceed a 14-hour workday.
  • Electronic logging devices: These devices are required to accurately track driving hours and ensure compliance with HOS rules.
  • Commercial Driver’s License qualifications: Drivers must meet federal standards for training, testing, and licensing.
  • Drug and alcohol testing: Drivers must undergo pre-employment, random, and post-accident testing to ensure they don’t drive while impaired.
  • Medical examinations: Drivers must pass routine physical examinations to confirm their fitness to operate a commercial vehicle.
  • Vehicle inspection and maintenance records: Companies must regularly inspect, repair, and maintain trucks and keep detailed records of their condition.

These regulations are designed to reduce driver fatigue, driver impairment, and mechanical failures, all of which are major contributors to serious truck accidents. State traffic laws also play a major role in how truck drivers operate on the road. These laws vary by state but generally govern everyday driving behavior and the use of roadways.

Factor 3: Insurance Complications

Drivers, trucking companies, cargo loaders, and shippers all have insurance coverage that might come into play in an accident claim. When multiple parties are involved, you will likely have to deal with multiple insurers, navigate overlapping coverage, and face competing claims and counterclaims, making a claim much more complex.

Can You Recover Compensation if You Are Partially at Fault for a Truck Accident in South Kingstown?

Rhode Island has a pure comparative negligence law, allowing you to recover compensation as long as you are not entirely at fault for the accident. However, the amount of compensation you can recover will be reduced in proportion to your share of the fault. Thus, it is essential to work with a highly skilled attorney who can collect compelling evidence to support your case and counter allegations that you share fault for the accident.

What Is the Deadline to File a Truck Accident Claim in South Kingstown?

Truck accident victims in Rhode Island generally have three years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Failing to file within this timeline can bar you from recovery. However, it is important to note that there can be exceptions that affect the exact deadline for your case.

For instance, if an injury is not immediately known, the deadline may start when it is discovered. In addition, if the injured person is a minor, the statute of limitations may be tolled until they reach adulthood.

Count On Rob Levine Law for Your South Kingstown Truck Accident Claim

At Rob Levine Law, our clients benefit from our more than 25 years of experience, our aggressive approach, and our firm commitment to strong ethical standards. Having helped more than 50,000 individuals and recovered over $2 billion in disability benefits and injury compensation, we have a proven track record of pursuing justice for those in need.

With our Fee Free Guarantee®, there is no upfront cost, and you won’t owe us anything unless we recover compensation for you. We also stress full transparency on legal fees—we charge a 33% contingency fee for personal injury cases, with a reduced rate of 25% available to first responders and military members.

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in South Kingstown, call (888) 791-9135 or contact us online today for a free consultation with our team.

Hear From Our Satisfied Clients

Truck Accident FAQs

What Evidence Should I Gather at the Scene of a Truck Accident?

Take photos or videos of the vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries, and collect contact information from witnesses and all involved parties. If possible, note the trucking company’s name, USDOT number, and the responding officer’s details. You can also request a copy of the police report.

You may still recover compensation through your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage or by pursuing claims against other liable parties, such as the trucking company or a third party.

Adverse weather can contribute to accidents, but drivers are still expected to adjust their speed and behavior accordingly. If a truck driver failed to drive safely in poor conditions, they may be held liable.

In some cases, such as if negligent road maintenance contributed to the crash, you can file a claim against a government entity. However, these claims generally have strict notice requirements and shorter filing deadlines.

Avoid giving recorded statements or accepting quick settlements without legal advice. Insurance companies often aim to minimize payouts, so it is important to protect your rights before engaging with them. Always consult an experienced personal injury attorney before talking to an insurer.

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Office Location

South Kingstown, RI

1220 Kingstown Rd,
South Kingstown, RI 02879

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