Can I Sue a Trucking Company After an Accident?

Hit by a Commercial Truck in North Carolina? Here’s What You Need to Know.

Yes—in most cases, you can sue a trucking company after an accident, not just the individual driver. In fact, pursuing a claim against the trucking company itself is often essential to recovering full and fair compensation, especially in cases where a motorcyclist is involved. Motorcycles offer almost no protection against the sheer size and weight of a commercial truck, and accidents between the two are frequently catastrophic or fatal.

At Tien Law Firm, founded by award-winning North Carolina truck accident attorney Sonya Tien, we’ve spent more than a decade holding trucking companies accountable for accidents across the state — from Raleigh and Durham to Charlotte, Greensboro, and Wilmington.

Call (888) 919-8889 now for a free, no-obligation consultation. You don’t pay us anything unless we win your case.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Trucking Accident?

Truck accident cases are almost always more complex than ordinary car accident claims, because liability can extend well beyond the driver. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to pursue a claim against:

The truck driver — for speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, or other reckless or negligent conduct
The trucking company — for negligent hiring, inadequate training, unsafe scheduling, or failure to properly maintain its fleet
A leasing or logistics company — if the truck or driver was leased or contracted through a third party
A cargo loading company — if improperly secured or overloaded cargo contributed to the crash
A parts manufacturer — in cases involving defective brakes, tires, or other equipment failures

This is especially important in motorcycle accidents, where the severity of injuries often means multiple sources of insurance coverage are needed to fully compensate a rider for medical bills, lost income, and long-term care.

Why Motorcyclists Face Unique Challenges in Truck Accident Cases

When a commercial truck collides with a motorcycle, the results are often severe — and the legal process can be especially challenging:

Insurance company bias. Adjusters sometimes try to shift blame onto the motorcyclist, even in accidents clearly caused by a truck driver’s blind spot, unsafe lane change, or failure to yield.
High-value corporate insurance policies. Trucking companies typically carry much larger insurance policies than individual drivers, and their insurers deploy experienced defense teams to minimize payouts.
Fast-moving corporate response. Trucking companies often send investigators to the scene of a crash within hours, working to control evidence and the narrative before an injured rider has even left the hospital.
Federal trucking regulations. Claims may involve FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) rules covering driver hours-of-service, vehicle maintenance, and driver qualifications — regulations most accident victims aren’t familiar with.

Given these challenges, motorcyclists injured by commercial trucks benefit significantly from experienced legal representation early in the process.

Why Choose Tien Law Firm for Your NC Trucking Accident Case

Sonya Tien has more than 10 years of experience and numerous legal honors representing injured accident victims — including motorcyclists — in claims against trucking companies throughout North Carolina. With offices in Raleigh, Durham, Charlotte, Greensboro, and Wilmington, our firm has the statewide reach and local knowledge to take on trucking companies wherever the accident happened. We have:

Recovered significant settlements and verdicts against trucking companies and their insurers
Investigated corporate negligence, including driver fatigue, improper training, and unsafe maintenance practices
Worked with accident reconstruction experts to analyze black box (ECM) data, dashcam footage, and driver logs
Fought back against insurance companies that try to unfairly blame motorcyclists for crashes caused by trucks
Earned a reputation for treating every client like family, not a case number

Truck and Motorcycle Accidents Happen on Roads Across North Carolina

No matter where in North Carolina your accident happened, our firm has the local knowledge to build a strong case against the trucking company responsible. We regularly handle truck and motorcycle accident claims involving crashes on major freight corridors throughout the state, including:

Raleigh area — I-440 (the Beltline), I-40, US-1, and US-64
Durham area — NC-147 (Durham Freeway), I-40, I-85, and Miami Boulevard near Research Triangle Park
Charlotte area — I-77, I-485, I-85, and Billy Graham Parkway near Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Greensboro area — I-40, I-85, Business 85, and Wendover Avenue
Wilmington area — I-40, US-17 (Market Street), US-421, and the Port of Wilmington corridor

Commercial trucking traffic tends to concentrate around interstate interchanges, distribution centers, and port and airport access roads in each of these areas — exactly where some of the most severe truck-related accidents occur.

We Coordinate With Hospitals and Trauma Centers Statewide

Truck accidents, especially those involving motorcyclists, frequently cause severe, life-altering injuries requiring immediate specialized care. We regularly coordinate with treatment providers throughout North Carolina, including:

WakeMed and UNC REX Healthcare (Raleigh)
Duke University Hospital and Duke Regional Hospital (Durham)
Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center and Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center (Charlotte)
Cone Health Moses Cone Hospital (Greensboro)
Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center (Wilmington)
Local urgent care, orthopedic, and trauma specialists throughout each region we serve

We help make sure your injuries are properly documented from day one, so gaps in treatment don’t become an excuse for the insurance company to undervalue your claim.

Evidence That Can Make or Break a Trucking Company Claim

Because trucking companies are subject to federal regulations and maintain extensive records, truck accident cases often involve evidence that isn’t present in ordinary car accident claims, including:

Electronic logging device (ELD) and hours-of-service records
Black box (ECM) data showing speed, braking, and other data at the time of the crash
Driver qualification files and training records
Vehicle maintenance and inspection logs
Dashcam and surveillance footage
FMCSA safety violation history for the driver and company

This evidence can be lost, overwritten, or destroyed quickly, which is why sending a formal evidence preservation letter as soon as possible is one of the most important early steps in a trucking accident case.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in North Carolina

Get medical attention immediately — truck accident injuries, especially for motorcyclists, are often more severe than they initially appear.
Call the police and get an official accident report, including the trucking company’s information and DOT number.
Document the scene — photos of vehicle damage, the truck’s markings and license plate, and road conditions.
Get witness contact information if possible.
Avoid giving a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurance representative before speaking with a lawyer.
Call Tien Law Firm at (888) 919-8889 as soon as possible — trucking companies often begin their own investigation within hours of a crash.

No Fee Unless We Win

Tien Law Firm handles every trucking accident case on a contingency-fee basis. That means:

Your consultation is 100% free
You pay no upfront costs or attorney fees
We only get paid if we recover compensation for you

Talk to a North Carolina Truck Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one was injured in an accident involving a commercial truck anywhere in North Carolina — whether you were driving a car, riding a motorcycle, or on foot — don’t wait to protect your rights. Critical evidence can be lost within days, and trucking companies begin building their defense immediately.

Call Tien Law Firm today at (888) 919-8889 for your free case evaluation. Founded by Sonya Tien — a dedicated, award-winning North Carolina truck accident attorney — our firm is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve, wherever in North Carolina your accident happened.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really sue the trucking company, not just the driver? Yes. In many cases, the trucking company can be held directly liable for negligent hiring, training, maintenance, or scheduling practices — in addition to, or instead of, the driver.

How much does it cost to hire a lawyer to sue a trucking company? Nothing upfront. Tien Law Firm works on contingency, so you only pay if we win your case.

I was on a motorcycle when a truck hit me — will the insurance company blame me? Unfortunately, bias against motorcyclists is common. Our firm works to counter these assumptions with evidence proving the truck driver’s negligence caused your accident.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident? North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule bars recovery if you’re found even 1% at fault — making it critical to have an attorney protecting your case from the very beginning.

How long do I have to file a claim after a truck accident in North Carolina? In most cases, North Carolina gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, critical evidence like black box data can be lost within days, so it’s important to act quickly.

Does Tien Law Firm handle truck accident cases outside of Raleigh? Yes. With offices in Raleigh, Durham, Charlotte, Greensboro, and Wilmington, we handle truck accident cases throughout North Carolina.