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Any type of collision between a passenger car and a semi-truck is likely to cause devastating injuries to people inside the former vehicle, simply because of how much bigger and heavier the latter vehicle is. That said, crashes that involve a truck colliding with the doors or side paneling of a passenger car tend to be particularly dangerous.
In the wake of a side-impact truck accident in Harrisburg, the quality of legal representation you retain will have a massive impact on how much compensation you are able to obtain and, in many cases, whether you get paid anything at all. In the meantime, though, here is a brief overview of what lawsuits over this type of truck crash tend to look like, as well as what specific damages you may be able to seek restitution for.
Establishing that Negligence Led to a Side-Impact Truck Crash
While commuter car occupants virtually always suffer more serious injuries in truck wrecks than truck drivers do, that does not mean truckers are automatically considered at fault for these wrecks. To recover financially for injuries caused by a side-impact truck wreck in Harrisburg, the injured person must be able to prove the wreck only happened in the first place because of negligence by someone other than themselves.
In this context, legally actionable negligence can look like anything from an overtly illegal traffic offense to something more subtle, like driving while distracted. Either way, the important thing for the injured plaintiff to prove is:
- That a specific reckless or careless act by the defendant they are suing was the main and direct cause of their injuries
- That said act violated a duty of care that the defendant owed them to act responsibly under specific circumstances—for example, the duty all motor vehicle drivers have to follow the rules of the road and act reasonably behind the wheel
Getting Paid Fairly for All Recoverable Damages
A truck driver, a trucking company, or a third party—such as a negligent mechanic—found at fault for a T-bone truck accident in Harrisburg can be made to pay financially for every short- and long-term loss that the crash causes. This can include but is not strictly limited to things like:
- Medical bills
- Lost work income
- Personal property damage
- Physical pain and suffering
- Psychological anguish and trauma
- Decline in overall quality of life
Recovering for expected future losses can be particularly important during these sorts of claims, given how common it is for tractor-trailer accidents to cause permanent and debilitating injuries. Guidance from seasoned legal counsel can be vital not just to identifying these losses, but also to assigning a fair financial value to them and proactively demanding restitution for them within the filing deadlines set by the civil statute of limitations.
Contact a Harrisburg Attorney for Help With a Side-Impact Truck Accident Claim
Getting sideswiped by a massive tractor-trailer—let alone T-boned by one—can be a uniquely traumatic and potentially life-threatening experience, especially if it leads to you sustaining serious physical injuries. Just like with any other type of truck wreck, though, you can sue the person or people at fault for your side-impact truck accident in Harrisburg and demand compensation for every form of harm you will suffer as a direct result of the crash.
Guidance from a knowledgeable lawyer is essential to getting the best possible result from this sort of claim. Call today to discuss your potential case.
