Burlington 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer

A collision with a tractor-trailer leaves a mark that a passenger car crash rarely does. Loaded commercial rigs can weigh twenty to thirty times as much as your vehicle, and the forces they generate can turn routine impacts into life-altering events: shattered bones, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, and losses that ripple through entire families. If you were struck by an 18-wheeler on I-89, in downtown Burlington, or anywhere across Vermont, you are already contending with far more than paperwork and body shop estimates.

At Promoting Justice Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, our truck accident lawyers specializing in 18-wheeler accident claims have represented injured Vermonters since 1980, and we built this firm around a single principle: the people responsible for your harm, whether that is a driver who ignored federal safety rules or a carrier that pushed him past the point of exhaustion, owe you full accountability. We will sit down with you, walk you through what your case is actually worth, and tell you honestly whether we believe we can win it. There is no cost to find out.

Contact us for a free consultation and discover how our 18-wheeler accident attorneys in Burlington can help you seek the compensation and justice you deserve.

Why an 18 Wheeler Case Is Different From a Car Accident Claim

When a commercial truck strikes your vehicle, the aftermath looks nothing like a standard car accident. Within hours, the carrier’s insurance team and defense lawyers are already at work, investigating the scene, interviewing witnesses, and doing everything in their power to limit their client’s exposure before you even leave the hospital. You deserve counsel that moves with equal urgency and fights with equal force.

We stand exclusively on the side of injured people, never corporations or insurers. Our team is committed to fighting for our clients’ compensation. We are ready to take on the carrier that hurt you. Call Promoting Justice Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers at (802) 457-4848 for a free consultation. We do not get paid unless you do.

Do You Have a Truck Accident Claim Under Vermont Law?

You likely have a strong case if negligence caused your crash and you suffered real harm. Proving your claim requires establishing four things: the commercial driver owed you a duty of care, they breached that duty, the breach caused the collision, and you suffered damages as a result. Even when the carrier disputes your account, we build your case from the physical and electronic record the crash left behind, and we do not take cases we do not intend to win.

Who Is Responsible After a Burlington Truck Crash?

Liability in an 18-wheeler accident rarely falls on one party. We investigate every entity in the chain of responsibility:

• The truck driver: fatigued driving, impairment, speeding, or distracted operation
• The motor carrier: pressure to violate federal Hours-of-Service rules, negligent hiring, or inadequate training
• The cargo loader or shipper: improperly secured or overweight freight that shifted during transit
• The maintenance contractor: ignored brake failures, worn tires, or skipped inspection requirements
• The manufacturer: defective components that caused the driver to lose control

Identifying every responsible party is not just about maximizing your recovery. It is about making sure no one who contributed to your crash escapes accountability.

On Shelburne Road (US-7) in South Burlington, we see a different kind of truck crash. Tractor-trailers making wide right turns into shopping plazas and loading docks swing left first, then cut back across a car or cyclist that moved into the gap. These cases often turn on whether the driver checked mirrors and signaled properly, and whether the carrier trained that driver for tight local deliveries.

What to Do After an 18 Wheeler Crash in Burlington

The steps you take in the immediate aftermath protect both your health and the strength of your legal claim.

Call 911 and Get Medical Care Right Away

Adrenaline masks serious injuries. Traumatic brain injuries and internal bleeding may not feel severe at first. See a doctor immediately and follow every treatment recommendation, because gaps in care give insurers grounds to argue your injuries were not as serious as you claim.

Document the Scene Before You Leave

If you are physically able, photograph the vehicles, road conditions, skid marks, and any visible injuries. Record the truck’s DOT number and any carrier markings on the cab or trailer, and collect contact information from every witness present.

Decline Every Recorded Statement

The carrier’s adjuster will call quickly, sounding cooperative, and ask for your version of events. You are not required to provide one. These conversations are carefully designed to capture statements that can reduce or deny your claim. Let our team handle all communication with the insurer.

Contact Us Before Critical Evidence Disappears

A commercial truck’s electronic data recorder (the “black box”), which records speed, braking, and hours of operation, should be preserved promptly after a crash to avoid loss of important evidence. We immediately send a spoliation letter, a formal legal notice that compels the carrier to preserve all evidence tied to your accident. Every day counts.

How We Build Your Case

From the moment you retain us, we pursue evidence that simply does not exist in a typical car accident claim. Our investigation includes:

• The driver’s electronic logging device (ELD), which tracks hours of service and mandatory rest periods
• The driver’s full qualification file and any prior safety violation history
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) compliance records
• Maintenance logs, inspection reports, and repair histories
• Dashcam footage and available surveillance video from the crash location

Attorney Linda Fraas spent years defending insurance companies before joining our firm. She now applies that inside knowledge exclusively in service of people like you, anticipating defense arguments before they are made and countering them before they gain traction.

Many of the truck crash victims we work with are taken to the University of Vermont Medical Center, the region’s Level I trauma center, and their first records come from that emergency department. We see carrier adjusters request those records early and look for any gap between the ER visit and follow-up care. We help clients keep their treatment on track so the medical record shows a continuous path from the crash to the diagnosis.

What You Can Recover After a Vermont Truck Accident

We fight for compensation that reflects every financial and personal consequence of your crash:

• All medical expenses, past and future, including surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term care
• Lost wages and your reduced ability to earn a living going forward
• Physical pain and emotional suffering
• Damage to your vehicle
• Loss of companionship for your spouse or partner
• Punitive damages when the carrier’s conduct was reckless and deliberate

Commercial trucking carriers maintain substantial liability policies, and we do not accept less than the full value of your claim. Our firm has obtained substantial recoveries for clients in combined automobile accident and workers’ compensation matters, and we bring that same commitment to every case we handle.

“I was very happy with how my accident case was handled. Jim and the staff made me feel like I wasn’t powerless in this whole process, you treated me with concern and respect, and the final outcome was better than I’d hoped for.” (Nancy R., client review)

How Vermont’s Comparative Negligence Rule Affects Your Claim

Vermont follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can still recover compensation as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50%, with your award reduced by your percentage of responsibility. If a jury awards $500,000 and finds you 20% at fault, you would receive $400,000.

Burlington Roads and Vermont Winter Conditions

Interstate 89, US-7, and Route 2 carry heavy commercial truck traffic year-round through Vermont’s most demanding terrain. Black ice, lake-effect snow squalls off Lake Champlain, and steep downgrades where fully loaded trucks lose braking capacity create dangers that experienced carriers are expected to prepare for. Federal law requires commercial drivers to reduce speed and take heightened precautions in hazardous conditions. A Vermont winter is not a defense for a carrier whose driver failed to follow those rules.

A pattern we see in Chittenden County truck crashes is the winter jackknife on I-89 between the Richmond exit and the Exit 14 interchange in South Burlington. A loaded rig heading toward Burlington hits slick pavement at highway speed, the trailer swings across both lanes, and passenger cars behind it have nowhere to go. In those cases we compare the driver’s speed against the conditions, because federal rules required that driver to slow down well before the trailer started to slide.

Vermont’s Filing Deadline for Truck Accident Claims

Vermont’s statute of limitations, the legal deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit, is three years from the date of the crash. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the death. Miss that deadline and you permanently lose your right to compensation, regardless of how strong the evidence is. Call us at (802) 457-4848 before that time runs out.

How Our Fees Work

We take every truck accident case on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless and until we recover compensation for you. We advance all litigation costs, including expert witnesses, court filing fees, and investigation expenses, so no financial barrier stands between you and the accountability you deserve. Your attorney fee comes directly from the settlement or verdict.

Why Burlington Families Trust Promoting Justice

Founding attorney Dennis O. Shillen holds an AV Preeminent rating, the highest recognition for legal ability and professional ethics, has more than four decades of experience, and has been recognized by Super Lawyers. D. James Mackall is a published legal author and a member of the Vermont Association for Justice Board of Governors with more than 35 years of experience. Attorneys Nicholas Seldon and Jack Spicer both trained at Vermont Law School, with focused study in alternative dispute resolution and environmental law and policy. Our legal assistants provide experienced support to injury clients, so you are never left without someone knowledgeable to turn to.

As Dennis Shillen puts it: “My firm advances our client’s rights as a crusader would pursue a noble cause. Simply stated, we are motivated by helping our fellow man and by the fact that we hate to lose.” We bring that same approach to every client, every day.

“Dennis and Staff, I appreciate all that you did over the past 2+ years for me with my injury claim. Thank you.” (Tabbi & Dan D., client review)

Documented Case Results

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Talk to a Burlington Truck Accident Lawyer for Free

If you or someone you love was seriously hurt in a commercial truck crash anywhere in Vermont, we want to hear from you. Our consultations are free, our fees are contingency-based, and we will give you an honest assessment of your claim with no pressure and no obligation. Call Promoting Justice Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers at (802) 457-4848.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I Accept the Trucking Company’s First Settlement Offer?

No. Early offers are made before the full scope of your injuries, including future medical costs and long-term income loss, is understood. Accepting typically means releasing your right to any additional compensation, regardless of how your condition progresses.

Can I Sue Both the Truck Driver and the Trucking Company?

Yes. Under a legal doctrine called respondeat superior, trucking companies are liable for their drivers’ on-duty negligence. Both the driver and the carrier can be named as defendants in your lawsuit.

What If the Trucking Company Is Headquartered Outside Vermont?

Vermont courts have jurisdiction over any crash that occurs within state borders, regardless of where the carrier is based. We are prepared to pursue claims against national and regional trucking companies on behalf of Vermont clients.

What If I Cannot Afford Medical Treatment After the Crash?

We can connect you with qualified providers who treat on a lien basis, meaning they accept payment from your eventual settlement rather than upfront. You get the care you need now with no out-of-pocket expense.

How Long Does a Vermont Truck Accident Case Typically Take?

Many cases resolve within one to two years. Cases involving severe injuries, disputed liability, or a carrier unwilling to negotiate in good faith may require full litigation and take longer to resolve.

Can a Truck Driver’s Criminal DUI Conviction Strengthen My Civil Case?

Yes. A DUI conviction is compelling evidence of negligence and can support a claim for punitive damages, which are designed to punish conduct that goes far beyond ordinary carelessness, when the facts show the driver consciously disregarded a known and serious risk.