A Walmart Truck Accident Attorney Can Help You Seek Financial Recovery

Like all truck drivers, Walmart drivers work under pressure to deliver goods as fast as possible, moving merchandise from warehouses to retail locations in record time. Walmart trucks are frequently involved in hazardous situations that result in collisions with other passenger vehicles or pedestrians.

Like other commercial trucks, Walmart tractor-trailers are intrinsically dangerous due to their size and weight. A semi-truck is typically 72 feet long and 80,000 pounds in weight. Semi-trucks are more likely to produce enormous amounts of damage, serious injuries, and fatalities in an accident.

Victims injured in Walmart truck accidents have the right to seek financial compensation for their medical treatment and suffering. Experienced Walmart truck accident attorneys may be able to help establish the other party’s fault, negotiate with the insurance company, and seek maximum compensation for the victim.

All About Walmart and Walmart Trucks

Walmart is a global retail giant that runs a network of supermarkets, cheap department stores, and hypermarkets. One of the largest retail companies in the world, Walmart was founded in 1962 by Sam Walton and is based in Bentonville, Arkansas. The company has a big influence on the retail industry worldwide.

Across the country, Walmart runs an extensive network of supercenters, neighborhood markets, and discount stores where it sells various goods such as food, electronics, clothing, home goods, and more.

How Walmart Becomes Liable in a Truck Accident

The respondeat superior theory, which literally means “let the superior answer,” is the reason why Walmart could be held liable for vehicular accidents. Under this doctrine, the owning company may be held liable. Because Walmart hired the truck driver, it could be held accountable even if the truck’s driver is to blame for the incident.

Punitive damages are also more likely to be awarded to victims of accidents involving commercial vehicles. The accident might point to a larger pattern of negligence when dealing with a large company. A company might be dodging laws to save money. Punitive fines frequently result in the victim receiving a sizable settlement.

Historic Cases Involving Walmart Truck Drivers

Here are some notable accidents that involved Walmart truck drivers.

  • The Tracy Morgan Accident (2014): Kevin Roper, a truck driver for Walmart, was involved in one noteworthy truck accident case. On the New Jersey Turnpike in June 2014, a limousine van carrying comedian Tracy Morgan and other people was struck by a Walmart truck driven by Roper.Comic James McNair died in the accident, and Tracy Morgan and other passengers suffered severe injuries. A lawsuit between Walmart and Tracy Morgan was resolved in 2015. The event highlighted problems in the trucking industry, like working conditions and driver fatigue.
  • Walmart Truck Tips Over (2023): A Walmart tractor-trailer turned over on its side in May 2023, hurting six people. The crash occured in a Stop & Shop parking lot in North Bellmore, NY.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Like any other sizable commercial fleet, Walmart vehicles can be involved in truck accidents for many reasons. Mechanical failures, environmental factors, and human error could cause these accidents. Among the frequent reasons for Walmart truck accidents are:

  • Distracted Driving: Distractions that take a driver’s focus away from the road, like using a phone, eating, or fiddling with in-cab electronics, raise the possibility of collisions.
  • Driver Fatigue: Driver fatigue brought on by extended driving hours can affect focus and reaction times. In spite of laws limiting the number of hours that truck drivers may work, fatigue is still a major issue in the trucking sector.
  • Speeding: A speeding truck is extremely dangerous. Driving too fast, beyond the speed limit, can be a factor in accidents, whether it is the result of aggressive driving or the need to fulfill delivery deadlines. Speeding makes collisions more severe and impairs a driver’s ability to respond to unforeseen circumstances.
  • Improper and Unsecured Loading: Inadequately secured or poorly loaded cargo may shift while in transit, compromising the truck’s balance and possibly leading to accidents.
  • Insufficient Training: Truck drivers who receive insufficient training may make poor decisions, secure loads incorrectly, and be unaware of safety precautions.
  • Drowsy Driving: One primary concern in the trucking industry is drowsy driving. There is a greater chance of accidents, slower reaction times, and diminished cognitive function when commercial drivers operate vehicles while fatigued.
  • Maintenance Issues: Accidents may result from mechanical failures brought on by poor vehicle maintenance. This covers problems with the tires, brakes, lights, and other crucial parts.

Examples of Injuries Sustained from Large Truck Crashes

The severity of injuries resulting from large truck collisions can vary greatly. Whether the injuries are minor or severe, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Here are the common injuries that result from large truck crashes.

  • Head and brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Internal injuries
  • Burn injuries
  • Amputations
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Respiratory injuries
  • Psychological injuries
  • Wrongful death

Legal representation can help injured passengers from other vehicles recover full compensation to cover the recovery costs.

Overview of Commercial Truck Liability Insurance Laws

To prove the fault of the Walmart driver, the following must be established:

  • The defendant or the driver breached his duty of care.
  • The plaintiff sustained serious injuries.
  • The negligence of the defendant led to the plaintiff’s significant losses.

The liable parties can be:

  • Walmart drivers
  • Non-employee truckers
  • Walmart loading team
  • Walmart maintenance team
  • Vehicle manufacturer
  • Other motorists
  • Pedestrians
  • Local government

When Walmart drivers are at fault, Walmart’s insurance adjusters could contact the victim after filing a truck accident claim. A truck accident lawyer should negotiate on behalf of the complainant to ensure fair compensation.

Walmart might not be held directly accountable for non-employee truckers’ acts in the same manner that it would be for its workers. But it’s important to pay attention to the details of any contracts or agreements Walmart has with the independent truckers.

The manufacturer might face strict liability if manufacturing or design flaws were proven to be the cause of the accident involving a Walmart truck.

What Damages Can You Recover from a Walmart Truck Accident Claim?

Victims may recover full compensation for economic and non-economic damages such as:

  • Medical bills
  • Disability costs
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage
  • Funeral and burial costs for wrongful death

Punitive damages, which are meant to penalize defendants for egregious negligence, might be imposed on Walmart and other responsible parties.

The Importance of Legal Representation When You Seek Financial Compensation

Truck accidents are frequently complicated, particularly when large corporations such as Walmart are involved. Truck crash victims may require legal counsel when going against the business and get a just settlement.

Seasoned truck accident lawyers can handle the following:

  • Investigate and gather evidence.
  • Interview witnesses and experts.
  • Collect medical records to support the claim.
  • Calculate a fair compensation.
  • Collect the defendant’s insurance information.
  • File and negotiate with the defendant’s insurance company for a just claim.
  • File the case in court if needed.

Get Free Consultation from Walmart Truck Accident Attorneys Today.

Walmart is among the biggest retail establishments in the US. Consumers have the option of shopping in person or online. Walmart trucks can be seen on every major interstate highway, state road, and county road in the nation due to the company’s vast number of outlets.

If you or a loved one was involved in a Walmart truck accident, call us at The Clark Law Office as soon as possible. Our truck accident lawyers will collaborate closely with you to achieve the best outcomes. We offer free consultation, and you will only pay us if we win your case, so you avoid paying more than you can afford. Call us now and let us know how we can assist you.

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