Truck Accidents

Canadians Involved in Truck Accidents in the US

Every winter approximately four million Canadian and Northern US residents (commonly referred to as Snowbirds) migrate south along Highways I-95 and I-75, heading to warmer, sunnier, southern destinations.

Cars and motorcycles have an inherent disadvantage when driving along these highways. They need to share the roadway with a plethora of large tractor-trailer trucks. It can be an extremely stressful drive that requires you to be alert at all times.

If you are involved in a car/truck accident in the United States, it can be exceptionally complicated to deal with insurance and get the proper care and compensation for your injuries and damage done to your vehicle.

There are approximately 500,000 truck accidents across the USA every year. A typical car weighs 4,000 pounds. Large commercial trucks can exceed 80,000 pounds:

There are approximately 500,000 truck accidents across the USA every year. A typical car weighs 4,000 pounds. Large commercial trucks can exceed 80,000 pounds:

  • The number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes increased by 10%.
  • The number of large trucks involved in injury crashes increased by 5%.
  • The number of large trucks involved in property damage only crashes increased by 3%.
  • Approximately 57% of all fatal crashes involving large trucks occurred in rural areas, 27% occurred on Interstate highways, and 13% fell into both categories by occurring on rural Interstate highways.
  • The majority, 82%, of fatalities were occupants in cars (not the truck).
  • I-95 is Florida’s most dangerous “truck” highway.
  • I-75 is a close second.

Car accidents involving trucks are quite similar to any other motor vehicle accidents, however, there is one major difference. When involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle, you have the option of bringing a claim against both the driver of the truck and the company that employed them.
If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident in the United States or Canada, our personal injury lawyers can help you get the care and compensation that you need.

Let our team of experienced truck accident lawyers alleviate the stress of figuring out your next steps after you’ve been injured.

What Should You Do If You’re Involved in A Truck Accident in the USA?

Snowbird Accidents Helps You Find Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers

Importantly, in serious, catastrophic accidents Snowbird Accidents members can help arrange immediate attention from a healthcare professional in your home state or province or meet with you to help process your accident insurance forms (PIP). This is very important since most policies provide immediate help with most medical and rehabilitation expenses.

What Options Do I Have To Pursue Legal Action Against The Truck Driver?

It is very important that truck accidents are carefully investigated. Truck drivers, their trucks, and their trailers are commonly licensed in different states. Trucks routinely have problems with their tires, hubs, and braking systems. In addition, each state and province imposes different truck safety regulations. Worker’s Safety Benefits must also be properly assessed and applied for.

Determining liability in a cross-border trucking accident can be a complicated process due to the number of factors that may have played a role.

The liable party or parties could include:

  • The truck driver
  • The trucking company.
  • Another driver who was at fault
  • The truck manufacturer
  • The manufacturer of one or more parts in the truck

Common Causes Of Truck Accidents

A trucking accident can be caused by many things, including but not limited to:

  • Driver fatigue
  • Distracted driving
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Insufficient driver training or experience
  • Unbalanced load
  • Speeding
  • Reckless driving
  • Driving too fast for weather conditions
  • Truck parts or system failure

Cross-border accidents are exceptionally complicated. Each state has different Tort laws and prescribed time limits in which a claim can be brought. If you do not sue within the specified time limit you will not be allowed to do so.

That is why it is so important to contact a personal injury lawyer that specializes in truck accidents as soon as you’re able. They will be able to walk you through your options and time limits, so you have all the important information required to make an informed decision.

Just because you contact a truck accident lawyer to find out your options does not mean you must sign with them. Many personal injury lawyers will offer a free consultation. Arming yourself with all of the information available is a smart thing to do. Many serious injuries do not immediately present themselves and you may find yourself in pain a few weeks after the accident has occurred.

After a serious truck accident, you will need a truck accident lawyer in the state where the accident happened, and in the province you normally reside in.

Snowbird Accidents Can Help You Pursue A Personal Injury Claim Against The At-Fault Truck Driver And Their Employer

Depending on the extent of you and your families’ injuries, you may also want to pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. This would be a civil claim, also called a tort claim.

The best way to help you make this decision would be to speak with a personal injury lawyer that specializes in car accidents in the state or province you were injured. They will be able to walk you through your options and provide advice based on your individual circumstances. Many personal injury lawyers offer a free consultation, so there is no pressure to sign a retainer with the first lawyer you meet with.

Should you decide to pursue a tort claim against the at-fault driver, you can still access Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs). You do not need to choose one or the other.

For Help with Catastrophic Injuries from A Truck Accident, Call the Snowbird Helpline Today

If you have been seriously injured and you’re wondering what your available options are, give us a call today. The Snowbird Helpline can help go over the options available to you, including Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs), accessing your insurance policies, and bringing a lawsuit (tort claim) against the at-fault driver.

Your options for bringing a lawsuit (tort claim) against the at-fault driver will differ based on the state or province where you were injured. Snowbird Helpline endorses many different personal injury lawyers located across the United States and Canada.

When accessing Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs), you may get compensation for:

  • Medical & rehabilitation expenses
  • Income replacement
  • Attendant care
  • Housekeeping and home maintenance
  • Non-earner benefits
  • Transportation expenses
  • Visitor’s expenses
  • Educational expenses
  • Death benefits for your affected family members

It’s important to note that not everyone will be entitled to all of the above benefits. It will depend on your individual circumstances and injuries.

If you decide to pursue a tort claim, you may get compensation for:

  • Medical & rehabilitation expenses
  • Loss of income
  • Housekeeping or attendant care expenses
  • Pain & suffering compensation
  • Out-of-pocket expenses
  • And any additional expenses or losses beyond what is covered by Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs)

Find a Truck Accident Lawyer in The State or Province You Were Injured in Now!

Any personal injury law firm, personal injury lawyer, or personal injury attorney we recommend has shown they have extensive knowledge and expertise you can trust when faced with the challenge of a cross-border accident. In most instances, you can deal directly with them by going to their website. As an alternative, you are welcome to complete the contact form or give us a call.

The Time to Act Is Now! Each State and Province Has Different Statutory Time Limits to Bring a Claim

For instance, in Ontario, you have up to two years from the time of your accident to bring forth a personal injury claim. However, you only have seven days to report your accident to your insurance company unless you can prove extenuating circumstances that prevented you from informing them within those seven days.

In Florida, you have up to four years from the time of your accident to bring forward most personal injury lawsuit claims (tort claims). You have up to 10 days to report a car accident.

These limitations vary widely per province and state, and that’s why it’s so important to consult with a personal injury lawyer or personal injury attorney that practices law in the state you were injured in as soon as you’re able.

Frequently Asked Snowbird Insurance, Travel And Personal Injury Questions

Snowbird Accidents is not a law firm. We are an International “Qualifying Referrer”. We provide information about car accidents, car insurance options, medical insurance options, personal injuries, and more. We do not provide legal advice. That is the job of the personal injury attorney or lawyer that you end up retaining.

We can recommend  personal injury lawyers familiar with the complexities of cross-border accidents in the province you reside in and the state you were injured in. The lawyers and attorneys recommended by us are leaders in their field and frequently deal with catastrophic car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents.

The Snowbird Helpline offers peace of mind if the unthinkable happens. We are here to connect you with a team of lawyers and attorneys that are knowledgeable about personal injury claims, no matter what province or state you were injured in.

When a serious personal injury happens in a different country, you quickly need help. That’s where Snowbird Helpline comes in. Our team has extensive knowledge and expertise that you can trust when faced with the challenge of a cross-border accident.

We are not lawyers or a law firm. No legal fees are paid or shared with us. Instead, we offer advice on what your next steps should be and who you should contact. We recommend personal injury lawyers and attorneys that are familiar with the complexities of cross-border accidents.

For over 35 years, we have assisted Canadian snowbirds involved in car accidents and other personal injury accidents in the United States.

Snowbird Accidents assists people experiencing serious personal injuries of all kinds. Primarily we assist with those who have been involved in serious car accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, or trucking accidents.

We are here to help organize the steps you have to take with your insurance company and connect you with experienced personal injury lawyers and attorneys, and more.

Snowbird Accidents is a USA corporation with headquarters in West Palm Beach, Florida, and offices in Toronto, Canada.

We offer expertise and personal injury lawyer recommendations in over 50 states and 10 provinces. To quickly get in touch with us about your situation, give us a call at 1-800-436-0353.

Our goal is to be accessible at all times to snowbirds who require assistance. You can fill out our online contact form or give us a call at 1-800-436-0353.

Additionally, you can contact the lawyers mentioned on our site directly through their websites or online contact information.

Your health and safety, plus the health and safety of your family or other injured parties is always top priority. Be sure to seek out medical attention immediately. It is important to make sure the police are contacted.

If possible, while still on the scene, obtain the driver’s license and insurance information of those involved in the accident. If possible, get contact information for all witnesses. Additionally, you should take notes and pictures of everything you can. This includes the scene of the accident, the other car, any visible injuries, and what caused the accident if known.

Make sure that your doctors are informed about the accident and all of your injuries. Take notes of what the doctor advises and keep a record of your injuries and healing process.

As soon as you are able, contact Snowbird Helpline. We can help advise you of the next steps you should take.

Contact The Snowbird Helpline Today!

1-800-436-0353