Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle 

Commercial truck crashes aren’t rare in Aroostook County. MaineDOT reports 578 truck/bus crashes occurred in Aroostook County from 2019–2023, including 6 fatal crashes. 

We routinely handle injury and wrongful death claims involving many kinds of commercial vehicles and crash dynamics, including:

• Tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler collisions
• Logging truck crashes and heavy-haul incidents
• Dump truck, box truck, and work truck wrecks
• Rollover and jackknife crashes
• Rear-end and chain-reaction collisions
• Underride and override crashes
• Cargo shift, load securement failures, and spill events
• Crashes tied to maintenance failures (brakes, tires, coupling systems)

Liability in Trucking Cases

Trucking companies and insurers often try to narrow the case to “driver error.” A serious investigation looks beyond drivers because responsibility can extend to multiple entities whose decisions made the crash more likely.

Depending on the facts, liable parties may include:

• The truck driver (speeding, distraction, fatigue, impairment, unsafe lane changes, following too closely)
• The motor carrier / trucking company (hiring, training, supervision, safety culture, dispatch pressure, rule enforcement)
• The owner of the tractor/trailer (when ownership and operations are split)
• A shipper or loader (overweight loads, improper securement, unsafe cargo configuration)
• A maintenance contractor (missed inspections, ignored defects, inadequate repairs)
• A manufacturer (defective parts or systems that contribute to the crash or increase injury severity)

Evidence That Can Make or Break a Truck Accident Claim

In a commercial vehicle case, the most important proof often comes from records and electronic data, much of which can be overwritten or “lost” if it isn’t preserved early. Strong truck cases are built around evidence such as:

• Electronic data (speed, braking, throttle, crash-event data)
• Driver hours-of-service and ELD records
• Driver qualification, training, and safety history
• Maintenance, inspection, and repair documentation
• Dispatch records and delivery scheduling communications
• Cargo documentation (bills of lading, weight tickets, securement records)
• Scene evidence and crash reconstruction analysis

Compensation in Truck Accident Cases

Truck accident claims should reflect the full impact of the crash, especially when injuries change the course of someone’s life. Depending on the facts, recoverable damages may include:

Economic Damages

• Past and future medical bills (including surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term care)
• Lost income and loss of future earning capacity
• Out-of-pocket costs tied to disability and ongoing limitations
• Property damage and other financial losses caused by the crash

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life and loss of functional abilities
• Disfigurement and the long-term consequences of permanent injury

Wrongful Death Damages

When a truck crash causes a fatal loss, Maine law may allow the family and/or estate to pursue damages that commonly include:

• Economic losses: funeral and burial expenses; medical bills related to the final injury; lost financial support and lost services the person would have provided 
• Non-economic losses: loss of comfort, companionship, and society (where allowed), subject to Maine’s statutory structure and limits 

Because truck cases often involve substantial insurance coverage and sophisticated defense teams, fair case valuation typically requires careful documentation, expert support, and a clear plan to prove future losses, not just current bills.

Timeline: What the Truck Accident Claim Process Can Look Like

Truck accident cases usually move in phases. The exact order and timing depend on your injuries, how clearly fault can be proven, and how hard the trucking company fights the claim, but most serious cases follow a pattern like this:

1. Early investigation and evidence preservation. A strong case often starts with securing key trucking evidence (vehicle data, driver logs, maintenance history, dispatch records, cargo documents) and working with qualified experts to understand how the crash happened and why it was preventable.
2. Medical treatment and damage documentation. As your treatment progresses, the claim becomes clearer: what your injuries require, what recovery realistically looks like, and how your work, family life, and long-term health have been affected.
3. Identifying all responsible parties and coverage. Truck crashes are rarely “driver only.” The motor carrier, shipper/loader, maintenance provider, broker, or a manufacturer may share responsibility, and each layer can change the available insurance and how the case must be proven.
4. Claim presentation and negotiation. Once the evidence and damages picture is developed, the case is typically presented to insurers for negotiation. In high-stakes trucking cases, this is often where aggressive defense tactics show up: blame-shifting, causation fights, and low offers tied to incomplete information.
5. Litigation if a fair resolution isn’t offered. Filing suit can be necessary to obtain testimony, documents, and sworn evidence through discovery. Many serious cases resolve only after the defense is forced to confront the evidence under court procedures.
6. Mediation, settlement, or trial. Courts frequently require or encourage mediation. If the defense still won’t pay what the case is worth, trial becomes the path to accountability.

Deadlines to File: Maine Statutes of Limitations

Deadlines matter, and they can be case-ending. Under Maine law:

• Most personal injury claims generally must be filed within six years. 
• Many wrongful death claims generally must be filed within three years. 

Some cases, especially those involving governmental entities or special circumstances, can involve additional requirements or shorter timelines. For example:

• Government-related claims: If the crash involves a Maine government entity or employee (for example, certain public vehicles or public-roadway issues), Maine’s Tort Claims Act generally requires written notice within 365 days, subject to limited exceptions. If the crash involves a federal government entity or employee, the Federal Tort Claims Act generally requires that notice within two-years, subject to limited exceptions.

Even when the formal deadline is years away, evidence like onboard electronic data, driver logs, dispatch records, and maintenance documentation can be overwritten or lost. Treat serious truck claims as time sensitive, and bring your case to the attention of an Aroostook County truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. 

Call for a FREE Consultation: (207) 417-4199 

If you’re dealing with a serious injury or a fatal loss after a commercial truck crash in Aroostook County, we’re ready to help you understand your legal options and what comes next. Call (207) 417-4199 or contact us online for a free case review.