Connecticut Truck Accident Lawyers

Personal Injury Lawyers / Nation’s Top Rated Truck Accident Lawyers – Munley Law® / Connecticut Truck Accident Lawyers

Truck accidents can lead to devastating injuries, overwhelming medical bills, and long-term consequences for victims and their families. In 2024, there were more than 1300 crashes involving large trucks on Connecticut roads, causing hundreds of injuries. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a collision with a large commercial vehicle, you need a legal team that understands the nuances of truck accident cases and will fight for the full compensation you deserve.

At Munley Law, our nationally recognized Connecticut truck accident lawyers have decades of experience holding trucking companies and insurers accountable. We’re here to protect your rights and guide you every step of the way. Contact Munley Law today for a free consultation with an experienced Connecticut truck accident attorney. There is no fee for our services unless we win you compensation.

Why You Need a Lawyer Who Knows Connecticut Truck Accidents

If you or someone in your family has been injured in a truck accident in Hartford, Bridgeport, Stamford, New Haven, or anywhere in between, you may need a lawyer to protect your interests and ensure you receive the full compensation you need to pay for your damages. However, truck accident cases are unique, and not all personal injury lawyers have the necessary experience and knowledge to successfully handle a truck accident injury case.

Truck accident cases often involve severe injuries or fatalities, multiple liable parties, and powerful trucking companies with aggressive legal teams. That’s why it’s critical to have an attorney with specific experience handling truck accident cases. At Munley Law, we devote a significant portion of our legal practice exclusively to large truck and tractor trailer accident cases.

The Difference Between Trucking Accidents and Other Car Crashes

There are many important factors that make truck accident claims different from other types of motor vehicle accidents.

Federal and State Trucking Industry Regulations

The trucking industry is governed by a wide range of safety rules and regulations, including those enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). A lawyer who understands these laws can identify violations that may prove liability.

Multiple Liable Parties

In a truck accident, more than one party may be responsible — such as the driver, the trucking company, a cargo loader, or even a manufacturer. An experienced truck accident lawyer knows how to investigate and hold each party accountable.

Commercial Insurance Issues

Trucking companies often have large commercial insurance policies, and their insurers will work hard to minimize payouts. These cases require strategic negotiation and a deep understanding of insurance tactics.

Extensive Evidence in a Truck Accident Case

Successful truck accident claims often hinge on technical evidence, like black box data, maintenance logs, driver records, and hours-of-service documentation. Gathering and interpreting this evidence requires legal skill and industry knowledge. At Munley Law, our truck accident attorneys focus on these complex cases every day. We know how to uncover the truth, stand up to trucking companies, and pursue the full compensation our clients need to recover and move forward.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Connecticut

Truck accidents often stem from a combination of human error, mechanical failure, and unsafe industry practices. Because commercial trucks operate under tight deadlines and strict regulations, even a small mistake can lead to devastating consequences. Understanding the most common causes of truck accidents can help identify who may be at fault and how the crash could have been prevented.

• Truck Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers often work long hours and may feel pressure to meet delivery deadlines, even when it means violating federal Hours of Service rules. Fatigue slows reaction times, impairs judgment, and significantly increases the risk of a serious accident.
• Distracted Driving: Like all motorists, truck drivers can become distracted by cell phones, GPS systems, eating, or other in-cab activities. But when a distracted driver is operating an 80,000-pound vehicle, the consequences can be catastrophic.
• Speeding and Aggressive Driving: Some trucking companies encourage drivers to meet tight schedules by speeding or cutting corners. Driving too fast for road or weather conditions, tailgating, and unsafe lane changes are all forms of aggressive driving that put everyone on the road at risk.
• Improperly Loaded or Overloaded Cargo: Truck cargo must be carefully balanced and secured. Overloaded or improperly secured freight can cause the truck to become unstable, increasing the risk of rollovers, jackknife accidents, or lost loads that create road hazards for other drivers.
• Poor Truck Maintenance: Commercial trucks require frequent inspections and maintenance to remain safe. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and steering issues are often the result of neglected upkeep, either by the driver or the trucking company.
• Inadequate Driver Training: Driving a commercial truck safely requires specialized training and a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Inexperienced or undertrained drivers may not know how to respond in emergency situations or handle difficult road conditions.
• Weather and Road Conditions: While snow, ice, and heavy rain are hazards for any driver, trucks need much more time and distance to stop safely. If a driver fails to adjust their speed to match road conditions, a serious accident can occur.

Types of Connecticut Truck Accidents

Due to their size, weight, and limited maneuverability, commercial trucks are prone to specific types of crashes, each with the potential to cause serious or life-altering injuries. Understanding how these accidents happen can help you recognize who may be at fault and why having a truck accident attorney is so important.

Blind Spot Truck Crashes

Large trucks have significant blind spots on all four sides — especially on the right side, behind the trailer, and directly in front of the cab. If a truck driver changes lanes without checking these areas, they may collide with a smaller vehicle traveling in the blind spot. These crashes often result in sideswipe accidents that can cause spinal injuries, broken bones, and traumatic brain injuries.

Underride Truck Accidents

An underride accident occurs when a smaller vehicle slides under the back or side of a tractor-trailer, often during sudden stops or in low-visibility conditions. These are among the most deadly types of truck accidents and frequently result in severe head trauma, neck injuries, and fatalities.

Rollover Truck Accidents

Rollover accidents can happen when a truck takes a turn too fast, travels on uneven surfaces, or experiences cargo shifts. A rolling truck can crush nearby vehicles and lead to catastrophic injuries such as paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, or death.

Tire Blowout Truck Accidents

When a truck tire blows out, the driver can lose control, causing the truck to swerve, jackknife, or roll over. Blowouts can be caused by poor maintenance, overloading, or defective tires. These accidents can cause multi-vehicle collisions and lead to serious injuries like whiplash, internal bleeding, or fractures.

Jackknife Truck Accidents

In a jackknife accident, the trailer swings out to the side, forming a V-shape with the cab. This usually occurs when the truck driver brakes suddenly or loses traction on slick roads. Jackknife accidents often block multiple lanes and can involve several vehicles, leading to crushing injuries and other severe trauma.

T-Bone Truck Accidents

Also known as side-impact collisions, T-bone accidents often occur at intersections when a truck runs a red light or fails to yield. These crashes are especially dangerous for drivers and passengers on the impacted side of the vehicle and can cause chest injuries, pelvic fractures, and head trauma.

Each of these accidents has unique causes and consequences, and determining liability often requires a thorough investigation. At Munley Law, we have the resources and experience to investigate your claim and fight for the justice you deserve.

Who is Responsible for a Truck Accident in Connecticut?

Determining liability in a truck accident is often more complicated than in a typical car crash. Multiple parties may be involved in operating, loading, or maintaining the truck, and any number of them could share responsibility for the accident. That’s why a thorough investigation is critical in truck accident cases. Here are some of the parties that may be held liable:

• The Truck Driver: If the truck driver was speeding, distracted, fatigued, under the influence, or otherwise negligent, they can be held directly responsible for the accident. Violations of federal or state trucking regulations also strengthen a case against the truck driver.
• The Trucking Company: Trucking companies are often liable for their drivers’ actions, especially if they failed to properly screen, train, or supervise employees. They may also be responsible for encouraging unsafe practices like exceeding Hours of Service limits or failing to maintain the vehicle.
• The Truck Owner: If the truck is owned by someone other than the driver or company, such as an independent contractor, they may be responsible for maintenance and safety. Poor maintenance can lead to brake failures, tire blowouts, or steering issues that cause serious crashes.
• The Cargo Loader: Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can shift during transit, causing the truck to become unstable or the cargo to spill into the roadway. In these cases, the company responsible for loading the truck may share fault.
• The Truck or Parts Manufacturer: Sometimes an accident is caused by a mechanical failure linked to a defective part, such as faulty brakes or tires. When that happens, the manufacturer of the truck or its components may be held accountable under product liability laws.
• Other Drivers: In some cases, another vehicle on the road may contribute to the accident by cutting off a truck, failing to yield, or triggering a chain-reaction crash. In these situations, liability may be shared among multiple parties.

Because so many potential parties may be involved, it’s essential to have an experienced Connecticut truck accident lawyer on your side. At Munley Law, we conduct in-depth investigations, work with accident reconstruction experts, and hold every responsible party accountable so our clients can receive the compensation they deserve.

Millions Recovered for Connecticut Trucking Accident Victims

Truck accidents can leave devastating damage in their wake. Between medical bills, lost income, and long-term effects on your quality of life, truck accident injuries can be costly. The state of Connecticut does not place a limit (or “cap”) on economic or non-economic damages in a personal injury claim. Injured victims are entitled to seek compensation for the losses they suffered due to someone else’s negligence, but getting the full, fair amount of compensation you need to be made whole again is easier said than done. The role of a truck accident attorney is to fight for the compensation you deserve for different types of damages. Your personal injury lawyer will seek reimbursement for your medical expenses and lost wages as well as your pain and suffering and future costs.

If you lost a loved one in a CT truck accident, you may also be eligible for wrongful death damages including funeral costs and compensation for the loss of financial support. An experienced Connecticut truck accident lawyer will review your case carefully and work with economic and medical experts to calculate the full extent of your damages and fight to recover everything you deserve.

Finding the Right Connecticut Truck Accident Attorney

Choosing the right truck accident lawyer is crucial in ensuring that you receive fair compensation for your injuries. At Munley Law, our attorneys are not only experienced in handling complex truck accident claims; they are recognized as national leaders in the field. Attorneys Marion Munley and Daniel Munley have each earned prestigious honors and held key leadership roles in organizations dedicated to advancing truck accident litigation and public safety.

• Marion Munley is one of the most respected truck accident attorneys in the country. She made history as the first woman to chair the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Trucking Litigation Group, a role that underscores her expertise and her commitment to promoting excellence in truck accident law. Marion is a board-certified civil trial advocate and has been named to Best Lawyers in America, Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, and Pennsylvania Super Lawyers year after year. Her work has not only secured life-changing results for clients but has also shaped national conversations around trucking safety and accountability.
• Daniel Munley is also a past Chair of the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group and is board certified in Truck Accident Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He has spoken at national legal conferences, trained other attorneys in trucking law, and has secured multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts for truck accident victims. Dan’s leadership and expertise have made him a go-to resource for complex commercial vehicle cases.

Free consultation with a Connecticut truck accident attorney

Contact Munley Law today for a free consultation with our experienced CT truck accident attorneys. We do not charge a fee for our services unless we win your case; if we don’t secure your compensation, you owe us nothing.