Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer DC

Some of the largest companies in the world have their own delivery trucks, including UPS, FedEx, and Walmart. These companies rely on their delivery trucks to get their products to customers quickly and efficiently.

However, delivery trucks can be dangerous. Tired or distracted drivers often drive these large vehicles, and they can cause serious accidents. If you have been involved in a delivery truck accident, it is important to contact an experienced Washington DC delivery truck accident attorney as soon as possible.

At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., we have years of experience representing truck accident victims. We know what to do to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Common Causes of Delivery Truck Accidents

Many different factors can contribute to a delivery truck accident. Some of the most common include:

• Speeding – Delivery truck drivers are often under pressure to make timely deliveries. This can lead them to speed, which increases the risk of an accident.
• Distracted driving – Delivery truck drivers may be distracted by their GPS, phone, or other distractions in the cab of their truck.
• Fatigued driving – Long hours behind the wheel can lead to fatigue, making it difficult to focus on the road.
• Reckless driving – Some delivery truck drivers may take risks on the road to make their deliveries on time. This can include weaving in and out of traffic or running red lights.
• Poorly maintained trucks – If a delivery truck is not properly maintained, it can increase the risk of an accident.
• Improperly loaded trucks – If a delivery truck is carrying too much weight or an unbalanced load, it can make the truck difficult to control.
• Sudden stops – Delivery trucks often have to stop suddenly to make deliveries. This can lead to rear-end collisions if the driver behind the truck is not paying attention.
• Safety violations – Federal and state regulators and delivery companies have policies to help minimize the chance of an accident. Failure to follow these policies puts delivery drivers at risk.
• Inadequate supervision – Some delivery companies do not adequately train or supervise their drivers. Without proper training, this can lead to accidents.
• Failing to engage the parking brake – If the parking brake is not engaged, the truck can roll away, which can cause an accident.

Common Delivery Truck Accident Injuries

Trucking accidents can cause many injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to serious injuries. Some of the most common truck accident injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Internal bleeding/organ damage

If you have been injured in a delivery truck accident, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if your injuries seem minor, it is always best to err on the side of caution and get checked out by a doctor.

What Should I Do After a Delivery Truck Accident?

If you have been involved in a delivery truck accident, there are a few important things you should do:

• Seek medical attention – Even if you don’t think you are injured, it is important to see a doctor. Some injuries, such as whiplash, may not be immediately apparent.
• Get the contact information of any witnesses – Witnesses can help prove what happened in an accident.
• Take pictures of the accident scene – Pictures can help show the damage caused by the accident.
• Contact a Washington DC delivery truck accident lawyer – An experienced attorney can help you navigate the complex legal process and get the compensation you deserve.

When Should I Hire a Washington DC Truck Accident Lawyer?

Ideally, you should hire a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. This will allow your lawyer to begin gathering evidence and building your case. There is a statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Washington DC, which means you only have a certain amount of time to file a claim. If you wait too long, you may not get your deserved compensation.

Statute of Limitations For Delivery Truck Accident Claims in Washington DC

In Washington DC, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is usually three years. This means that you have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim. If you wait too long, you will be unable to get the compensation you deserve.

However, there are different deadlines for different causes of action, such as for wrongful death claims (which have a 2-year statute of limitations in Washington, DC).

In addition, many claims have certain notice requirements which are much shorter. You should contact an experienced delivery truck accident lawyer to discuss the deadlines for your case as soon as possible. 

Who is Liable For the Accident?

Many different parties could be liable in a delivery truck accident. The most common include:

1. The truck driver – If the driver was speeding, driving recklessly, or fatigued, they may be liable for the accident.
2. The trucking company – If the company did not properly maintain the truck, or if they did not properly train the driver, they may be liable.
3. The manufacturer of the truck – If there was a defect in the truck that contributed to the accident, the manufacturer may be liable.

If you have been injured in a delivery truck accident, it is important to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.

How to Prove Fault in a Delivery Truck Accident Claim

There are many different ways to prove fault in a truck accident claim. Some of the most common include:

1. The police report – The police report can help show what happened in the accident.
2. Witness testimony – Witnesses can provide valuable insight into what happened in an accident.
3. Photographic evidence – Pictures can help show the damage caused by an accident.

Your truck accident lawyer will be able to help you gather the evidence you need to prove fault in your case.

Contributory Negligence in DC Truck Accident Cases

In Washington DC, contributory negligence is a defense that the alleged liable party can use in a truck accident case. This defense allows a defendant to argue that a  plaintiff is partially at fault for the accident. If the jury finds that the plaintiff is even partially at fault for the accident, they will not be able to recover damages.

In Washington, DC If you are in an accident and you are even 1% negligent, and your negligence was a cause of the collision, you will not be able to recover for your injuries or damages. However, if you are a pedestrian, bicyclist, or another vulnerable user in Washington, DC. such as a scooter rider, you could be up to 50% negligent and recover 100% of your damages.

Damages You Can Recover in a Delivery Truck Accident Case

If you have been injured in a delivery truck accident, you may be able to recover damages for:

• Medical expenses – If you have been injured in a truck accident, you may be able to recover the cost of your medical treatment, including hospitalization, surgery, and rehabilitation.
• Lost wages – If you cannot work because of your injuries, you may be able to recover lost wages.
• Pain and suffering – You may be able to recover damages for the physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by the accident.
• Property damage – If your property was damaged in the accident, you may be able to recover the cost of repairs or replacement.

If you have lost a loved one in a delivery truck accident, you may also be able to recover damages for:

• Funeral and burial expenses – You may be able to recover the cost of your loved one’s funeral and burial expenses.
• Loss of companionship – You may be able to recover damages for the loss of companionship and support caused by the death.
• Loss of income – If your loved one was the primary breadwinner, you may be able to recover their lost income.

The Benefits of Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer

There are many benefits to hiring a truck accident lawyer. Some of the most common include:

• An experienced lawyer will know how to navigate the complex legal process and get you the compensation you deserve.
• A truck accident lawyer will have access to resources you may not have, such as investigators and expert witnesses.
• A truck accident lawyer will be able to handle all of the paperwork and legal filings involved in your case.

If you have been injured in a delivery truck accident, it is important to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you get started on your case, the better your chances of getting the compensation you deserve.

What Our DC Truck Accident Lawyers Can Do For You

The Washington, D.C. lawyers with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success in helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a truck accident, gathering evidence to establish liability and negligence. 

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has achieved more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, one of the most respected attorney-ranking service organizations in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate. 

We Get You the Compensation You Deserve

For more than 50 years, the Washington DC lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have successfully represented individuals and families who have been injured or lost loved ones due to someone else’s negligence. Here is a small sample of some of our successful verdicts and settlements: 

• $3.5 million for a man who suffered a brain injury when a District of Columbia police officer opened his door into traffic and “doored” him. 
• $6 million on behalf of a man who suffered a brain injury due to a rear-end collision.
• $5 million medical malpractice settlement on behalf of a 14-year-old client who suffered a severe brain injury due to a doctor’s inappropriate use of a chemical product.
• $4.8 million on behalf of a severely injured man when his motorcycle struck a trailer being pulled by a minivan.
• $4.5 million for a woman who was seriously injured in a pedestrian accident after being struck from behind by a transit bus in a crosswalk.
• $600,000 verdict obtained against the United States Postal Service due to the negligence of one of its drivers, who pulled out from a stop sign in front of our client’s motorcycle.

See additional examples of our case victories and settlements on our “Case Results” page.

How Long Does it Take to File a Claim?

The amount of time it will take to resolve your case depends on many factors, such as the severity of your injuries, the insurance company’s willingness to negotiate, and whether or not the other party is willing to go to trial. However, it is important to remember that you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit after a truck accident.

Should I Talk to the Insurance Company Before I Hire a Lawyer?

It is not uncommon for a trucking company or its insurance carrier to contact an injured person soon after an accident. They may try to get you to give a recorded statement, sign forms releasing them from liability, or ask you to settle your claim without going through the legal process.

It is important that you do not speak with them until you have spoken with an experienced DC truck accident attorney. The insurance company is not looking out for your best interests – they want to pay you as little as possible, or nothing at all. You need someone on your side who will fight for what you deserve.

Contact a Washington DC Truck Accident Lawyer Today

If you are looking for the highest level of representation available for your motorcycle accident claim, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.

We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600 or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.