--- title: Learning About North Carolina Truck Accident Claims description: Truck accidents happen much more often than they should, and they frequently occur due to driver error. In some situations, a truck driver will be distracted or drowsy behind the wheel. image: https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/North-Carolina-Truck-Accident-1-300x186.jpg --- - Search Search Close this search box. - Download Forms - [Make a Payment](https://secure.lawpay.com/pages/ironsandirons/trust) - [(252) 215-3000](tel:252-215-3000) [![Irons and Irons](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/irons-law-logo.png?width=178&height=46&name=irons-law-logo.png)](https://theironslawfirm.com/) - [Personal Injury](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law) - [Auto Accident](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/car-accident) - [Motorcycle Accident](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/motorcycle-accident) - [Nursing Home Abuse](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/nursing-home-abuse) - [Rideshare Accidents](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/rideshare-accidents) - [Slip and Fall](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/slip-and-fall) - [Traumatic Brain Injury](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/brain-injury) - [Truck Accident](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/trucking-accident) - [Wrongful Death](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/wrongful-death) - [Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce) - [Separation Agreements](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/separation-agreements) - [Divorce Options](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/options) - [Absolute Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/absolute) - [Collaborative Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/collaborative) - [High Net Worth Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/high-net-worth) - [Military Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/military-divorce) - [Division of Pensions, 401(k) & Retirement Accounts](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/division-of-pension-and-retirement-accounts) - [Post Separation Support and Alimony](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/support-and-alimony) - [Property Distribution](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce/property-distribution) - [5 Critical Questions For Your Initial Consultation](https://theironslawfirm.com/5-consultation-questions) - [Family Law](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law) - [Child Custody](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law/child-custody) - [Child Custody Modification](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law/child-custody-modification) - [Child Support / Modification](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law/child-support-modification) - [Collaborative Family Law](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law/collaborative-family-law) - [5 Critical Questions For Your Initial Consultation](https://theironslawfirm.com/5-consultation-questions) - [Education Law](https://theironslawfirm.com/education-law) - [East Carolina University/Pitt Community College Disputes](https://theironslawfirm.com/education-law/ecu-college-disputes) - [Public And Private School Disputes](https://theironslawfirm.com/education-law/school-disputes) - [Malpractice](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/medical-malpractice) - [Medical Malpractice](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/medical-malpractice) - [Dental Malpractice](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/personal-injury/dental-malpractice) - [Pharmaceutical Malpractice](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/pharmaceutical-malpractice) - Attorneys - [Gib Irons](https://theironslawfirm.com/about/gib-irons) - [Ben G. Irons II](https://theironslawfirm.com/about/ben-g-irons-ii) - [Harry H. Albritton, Jr.](https://theironslawfirm.com/about/attorney-harry-h-albritton-jr) - [Brianne Lee Van Apeldoorn](https://theironslawfirm.com/about/brianne-lee-van-apeldoorn) - [Misty Waldroup](https://theironslawfirm.com/about/misty-waldroup) [Schedule Consultation](https://theironslawfirm.com/contact/consultation-request) [tel:252-215-3000](tel:252-215-3000) [Irons & Irons P.A. Blog](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com) [Subscribe](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/learning-about-north-carolina-truck-accident-claims#popup-form) ### Subscribe via Email # Learning About North Carolina Truck Accident Claims October 02, 2019 Written by: Harry Albritton - Share - Share - Share - [Copy](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/learning-about-north-carolina-truck-accident-claims) ![](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/North-Carolina-Truck-Accident-1-300x186.jpg) Copied the Url ## **North Carolina Truck Accident Attorney Assisting Clients with Injury Claims** [![Learning About North Carolina Truck Accident Claims](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/North-Carolina-Truck-Accident-1-300x186.jpg?width=300&height=186&name=North-Carolina-Truck-Accident-1-300x186.jpg)Truck accidents](https://dev-harry-albritton.pantheonsite.io/cases-we-take/car-accidents/) happen much more often than they should, and they frequently occur due to driver error. In some situations, a truck driver will be distracted or drowsy behind the wheel. At the same time, dangerous trucking collisions can also occur when a motorist is negligent, engaging in aggressive driving or texting while driving. In a large number of truck accident cases, passenger vehicle occupants sustain life-threatening or fatal injuries. If you were seriously injured, or if you lost a loved one in a truck collision, you should learn more about filing a claim by speaking with a North Carolina truck accident lawyer. ## **North Carolina Truck Accident Statistics** As the [Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)](https://www.iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/large-trucks) explains, large truck crashes can be especially dangerous to smaller vehicle occupants due to the large size of big rigs. Indeed, most 18-wheelers weigh anywhere from 20 to 30 times as much as a smaller passenger vehicle. The following are some additional statistics about truck crashes from the IIHS: - A total of 4,102 people were killed in truck accidents in 2017; - Majority of fatalities in truck accidents (68 percent) are occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles; - About 14 percent of all truck accident fatalities are pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists; - Approximately 17 percent of all truck accident deaths involve truck drivers; and - Deadly truck accidents have increased in recent years, with a 30 percent increase between 2009 and 2017. ## **Causes of Truck Crashes in North Carolina** The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) conducted a large truck crash causation study, which cites some of the following as frequent causes of truck collisions: - Truck driver error; - Failing to have truck properly maintained; - Improper loading of a truck bed; - Motorist error; - Truck defect, or defective truck part; - Poor road conditions; and - Inclement weather. When it comes to truck driver error, the following are some of the most common types of driver error: - Drowsy or fatigued driving; - Distracted driving, which can range from texting behind the wheel to eating while driving; - Intoxicated driving; and - Reckless or aggressive driving. ## **Who is Responsible for a North Carolina Truck Accident?** Depending upon the specific facts of your case, you may be able to file a claim against more than one party. Generally speaking, if a trucking company or truck owner is responsible, those parties tend to have deeper pockets—and thus a better ability to compensate an injury victim—than a truck driver. Examples of parties who may be liable in a trucking crash include but are not limited to the following: - Truck driver; - Truck owner; - Trucking company; - The loader of the truck; - Designer of the truck or one of its parts; - Manufacturer of the truck or one of its parts; - The property owner where the accident occurred; and/or - The motorist in another vehicle. ## **Statute of Limitations for a North Carolina Truck Accident Lawsuit** The [North Carolina statute of limitations](https://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/ByArticle/Chapter_1/Article_5.pdf) for most truck accident claims is three years. In a personal injury lawsuit, this means that a plaintiff has three years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. If the plaintiff does not file a claim within this three-year time window, North Carolina law will consider the plaintiff to have a time-barred claim. In other words, due to the “clock” on the statute of limitations running out, the plaintiff will not be able to file a lawsuit. Three years might seem like a significant amount of time, but there are risks in waiting to file a claim. The longer you wait, the more evidence that could be lost in your case. Moreover, until you actually file a claim, you will not be able to obtain financial compensation for your losses. It is important to note that the statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim is different from the statute of limitations in a truck accident injury case. If you are planning to file a wrongful death lawsuit because a loved one sustained fatal injuries in a trucking collision, you have two years from the date of death to file a lawsuit. To be clear, the “clock” on the wrongful death statute of limitations does not begin “ticking” at the time of the deceased’s injury, but instead at the time of the deceased’s death. An experienced North Carolina truck accident attorney can provide you with additional information. ## **How a North Carolina Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help** If you or someone you love was seriously injured or killed in a truck accident in North Carolina, one of the experienced [North Carolina truck accident attorneys](https://dev-harry-albritton.pantheonsite.io/contact-us/) at our firm can get started on your case today. The sooner you get in touch with us, the sooner we will be able to start the process of seeking financial compensation in your case.[ Contact Attorney Albritton of Irons & Irons P.A.](https://dev-harry-albritton.pantheonsite.io/contact-us/) for more information about the personal injury services we provide to clients in North Carolina. ### [Harry Albritton](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/author/harry-albritton) Harry H. Albritton, Jr. is a passionate attorney representing victims of negligence and malpractice, with deep roots in eastern North Carolina. A graduate of East Carolina University, he returned to practice law in Pitt County after obtaining his law degree from Ohio Northern University. Throughout his career, he has successfully handled a diverse range of cases, from minor car accidents to multi-million dollar catastrophic injuries, and has been recognized for his legal abilities by Super Lawyers and The National Trial Lawyers. When not practicing law, he prioritizes spending time with his wife and three sons, engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and kayaking. ### Related Posts [Car Accidents](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/tag/car-accidents) 3 min read #### [Understanding North Carolina Car Accident Laws Post-Accident](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/north-carolina-car-accident-laws) [Read more](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/north-carolina-car-accident-laws) [Car Accidents](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/tag/car-accidents) 2 min read #### [What Is a Diminished Value Claim in North Carolina?](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/what-is-a-diminished-value-claim-in-north-carolina) [Read more](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/what-is-a-diminished-value-claim-in-north-carolina) [Personal Injury](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/tag/personal-injury) 2 min read #### [3 ways to educate new drivers about the dangers of texting and driving](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/3-ways-to-educate-new-drivers-about-the-dangers-of-texting-and-driving) [Read more](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/3-ways-to-educate-new-drivers-about-the-dangers-of-texting-and-driving) [![IRONS & IRONS P.A.](https://blog.theironslawfirm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Irons%20and%20Irons/Pillar-Graphic.png?width=134&height=67&name=Pillar-Graphic.png)](https://theironslawfirm.com/) Irons & Irons P.A. 620 Lynndale Ct Suite A Greenville, NC 27858 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Phone: [252-215-3000](tel:252-215-3000) PRACTICE AREAS - [Personal Injury](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law) - [Medical Malpractice](https://theironslawfirm.com/injury-law/medical-malpractice) - [Divorce](https://theironslawfirm.com/divorce) - [Family Law](https://theironslawfirm.com/family-law) - [Education Law](https://theironslawfirm.com/education-law) ATTORNEYS - [Gib Irons](https://theironslawfirm.com/about/gib-irons) - [Ben G. 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