Louisville Attorneys for Truck, Bus & Motorcycle Accident Claims
The personal injury attorneys at Ewing & Willis are experienced in all types of automobile and motor vehicle accidents in Louisville, including accidents involving trucks, buses and motorcycles. These accidents pose a significant threat of serious personal injury or wrongful death to the accident victim, requiring a thorough understanding of the types of legal damages involved and any special legal and factual issues which may apply.
Truck Accidents
Thousands of accidents occur every year on the highways and roads of Kentucky involving 18-wheelers and other commercial tractor-trailers, and many of these accidents result in serious personal injury or wrongful death for the unfortunate occupants of the other vehicle. The enormous size and weight of a semi-truck delivers tremendous force to the other vehicle in an accident and also requires the truck driver to deal with blind spots, increased stopping distance and reaction time, and other limitations on the handling of the truck.
Common causes of trucking accidents include mistakes in judgment by inexperienced drivers or fatigued drivers who have placed themselves behind the wheel for longer periods than is safe, often in violation of federal FMCSA trucking regulations. Our trucking accident investigations often reveal that the trucker and trucking company were out of compliance with federal truck safety regulations. Falsified log book entries attempting to conceal that fact are not an uncommon occurrence either.
Bus Accidents
Large city buses and commuter coaches have many of the same limitations as the larger commercial vehicles discussed above regarding blind spots, stopping distance and reaction time, and other matters. With their frequent starts and stops and constant entering and exiting traffic, buses pose a significant risk of causing a car or pedestrian accident. Bus drivers owe the same duty of care to other vehicles as do other drivers on the road, but the bus driver and bus company may owe an even greater duty of care to their passengers, whether they are injured in a traffic accident or while stepping onto or off of the bus.
In the case of a bus accident, it is possible to pursue legal action against city governments and transit authorities like TARC, but the timelines and procedures can be very different from a private claim or lawsuit against the driver of a passenger vehicle or private commercial carrier. Be sure and notify an attorney as soon as possible following a bus accident to secure your rights to pursue compensation from the proper authority.
Motorcycle Accidents
A motorcycle rider is vulnerable to serious personal injury or wrongful death in a collision with a larger car, bus or truck. The motorcyclist is exposed to danger with very little protection beyond a helmet, possibly some riding leathers, and the bike itself. In addition, riders are also at risk from negligent or aggressive drivers, who simply do not respect motorcycles or do not understand their handling limitations.
Another problem motorcycle riders face is an inherent bias against motorcycles in the minds of many jurors. Insurance companies exploit this bias and are quick to try to paint the rider as careless or reckless and causing or contributing to the accident. When representing injured riders, we fight hard against insurance company tactics designed to lessen the amount of compensation our clients are entitled to.
Help for Louisville Truck, Bus or Motorcycle Accidents
If you have been injured in a truck, bus or motorcycle accident, you need an attorney who understands the special facts and circumstances that apply to your case to help you get the maximum compensation available. In Louisville, contact Ewing & Willis for assistance.
