Cases We Handle:
Truck Accidents

How does a tractor-trailer truck accident differ from a regular car accident claim?

Big rig truckers are highly trained professionals who operate under strict safety regulations to reduce the risk of errors and protect everyone on the road. Lawsuits involving commercial vehicle crashes require thorough investigations and experienced legal expertise.

North Carolina imposes federal trucking safety rules, meaning drivers and trucking companies must comply with regulations set by agencies such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in addition to state-specific laws. This can also make cases more complex than standard car accidents, with higher insurance policy limits.

If you have questions about whether your injury qualifies for a truck accident claim, contact Langino Law PLLC for help understanding your options and what compensation may be available.

What are some of the causes of commercial truck crashes?

You may have a valid truck accident case if you were injured due to a commercial truck driver, trucking company, or another party’s negligence.

Commercial truck drivers must follow strict state and federal safety rules due to the size and danger of their vehicles. Drivers must hold a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), with endorsements appropriate for the type of truck or cargo. States must verify drivers’ records through national databases to prevent disqualified or multiple licenses. Federal rules enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) govern interstate trucking and include requirements for driver training, vehicle inspections, maintenance, and compliance with safety standards. These regulations are designed to reduce fatigue, prevent unsafe driving, and protect the public from catastrophic truck crashes.

Truck collisions are commonly caused by driver fatigue, excessive speed, and violations of federal hours‑of‑service rules. Because truck drivers often work long shifts, fatigue can impair reaction time and judgment. Other frequent causes include improper or overloaded cargo, which can shift and destabilize the truck, and poor vehicle maintenance, such as faulty brakes or worn tires. Distracted driving, inadequate driver training, and unsafe lane changes are also significant contributors. In many cases, trucking companies share responsibility by pressuring drivers to meet deadlines or failing to enforce safety regulations designed to prevent catastrophic crashes. Read more about the causes of crashes: Recent North Carolina Truck Collision Tragedies, and How I Can Help.

If you have concerns about whether you should pursue a truck accident lawsuit, contact Langino Law PLLC to help understand if you have a valid claim.

How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit?

In North Carolina, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim for injuries due to a commercial truck crash. If the truck accident resulted in a death, you have two years to file from the date of death.

At Langino Law PLLC, when we talk, there’s no pressure — just an honest, compassionate conversation about your situation and what we can do to move forward together. Our goal is to help you find clarity, confidence, and the support you deserve.

Who can be held responsible for a commercial vehicle crash?

There may be multiple responsible parties, including the tractor-trailer driver, the trucking company or owner, a maintenance contractor, or even a vehicle manufacturer. Read more: Large Truck Collisions: The Dangers of Speeding and Distracted Driving by Commercial Truck Drivers.

Modern commercial trucks are equipped with Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) that automatically record data about the truck’s movement and the driver’s hours. These devices are like a “black box,” capturing when and for how long the truck was moving, the stops made, and the engine hours. Langino Law PLLC knows how to obtain and interpret ELD data to help prove fault. Read more: How to Find the ELD Data to Prove the Truck Driver is at Fault.

What types of damages can I recover?

Those injured in truck collisions may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those that can be easily calculated – such as your past medical bills or future anticipated medical costs. Non-economic damages are those that are less easily calculable, such as pain, suffering, disfigurement, or loss of your quality of life. In fact, there is no formula for calculating non-economic damages, which is why it is important to hire a lawyer experienced in truck wreck claims and dealing with non-economic damages. Typically, compensation for a truck accident victim includes:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity (Read more: What happens if I cannot work because of my injury?)
• Pain and suffering (Read more: What are Pain and Suffering Damages?)
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Property damage
• Costs for long-term care, rehabilitation, or home modifications
• Wrongful death, in some cases (Read more: Wrongful Death: A Guide for Survivors)
• Punitive damages, in some cases

Every case is unique, but the goal is always the same — to help you rebuild stability, comfort, and peace of mind after a life-altering truck collision.

What are the minimum insurance requirements for truck drivers?

Commercial truck drivers and trucking companies must carry minimum liability insurance under both federal law and North Carolina law to ensure compensation is available when serious crashes occur. For most trucks hauling non‑hazardous freight, the required minimum is $750,000 in liability coverage. This applies to trucks weighing 10,001 pounds or more and covers both interstate and intrastate trucking in North Carolina.

Trucks carrying hazardous materials must carry higher limits due to the increased risk. Certain hazardous loads require at least $1 million in coverage, while especially dangerous materials—such as explosives, poisonous gases, or large quantities of radioactive substances—require $5 million in liability insurance. These limits are designed to address the catastrophic injuries, property damage, and environmental harm that can result from commercial truck crashes.

Read more about the minimum insurance requirements for truck drivers: Minimum Insurance Requirements for Commercial Trucks in North Carolina.

Why pursue a commercial truck accident lawsuit?

Recovering from injuries due to an accident involving commercial truck — and the impact it has on families — is often time-intensive and costly, including time off work, medical expenses, and long-term trauma. Families that are hurt by no fault of their own deserve to be represented by someone they can trust to hold those responsible accountable and gain rightful compensation.

A successful commercial truck accident claim can help provide long-term financial support, protect the future for families, and hold liable parties responsible.

Read more about lawsuits involving commercial truck accidents: Recent North Carolina Truck Collision Tragedies, and How I Can Help.

What is a contingency lawyer?

Langino Law PLLC will handle your lawsuit on a contingency basis.

Contingency lawyers are paid only if they successfully recover money for their client. Unlike hourly attorneys, contingency lawyers do not charge upfront fees. Instead, they advance their time, labor, and often significant case expenses, such as expert witnesses, depositions, and court costs. If the case resolves through settlement or trial, the lawyer receives a percentage of the recovery.

If no recovery is made, contingency lawyers do not charge any fee or seek reimbursement for their time; a key point in Langino Law PLLC’s written contingency fee agreement. This structure allows injured people to pursue justice without the financial risk of paying legal fees out of pocket, while aligning the lawyer’s compensation directly with the client’s success.

Read more: How Are Contingency Lawyers Paid?

What should I do if I think I have truck wreck case?

Reach out to an experienced truck collision attorney who can understand your unique situation, review what happened, and explain your legal options. At Langino Law PLLC, when we talk, there’s no pressure — just an honest, compassionate conversation about your case and what we can do to move forward together. Our goal is to help you find clarity, confidence, and the support you deserve during what can be one of the most difficult times of your life.