By Each and every year, far too many are left to recover—both physically and emotionally—after being injured in truck accidents throughout the nation.
These trucks may be large, but they are massive, and when one crashes, it is often no fender bender. It can alter lives in the blink of second.
If you or a loved one has experienced something like this, you personally know how overwhelming it can be. The doctor’s bills add up.
Nothing feels the same anymore. That’s why having an attorney who really gets just how serious truck accident cases can be actually does make a difference.
The attorney that you want won’t simply assist you with “filing a claim”—he’ll fight to obtain for you what you require in order to cope with everything that ensues.
However, what to do after a truck accident? What are some of the steps that you should take to keep yourself safe legally?
These are some of the things that you are going to learn in the article. So, keep on reading this blog till the end…
The Unique Dangers Of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents are not the same as car accidents. Trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds! That’s like a giant on the road. When trucks crash, it can be really bad.
Some common types of accidents happen when:
- The truck folds up like a jackknife.
- A truck hits the back of another car.
- Cars get stuck under a truck’s trailer — that’s super dangerous.
- The truck flips over.
- The driver doesn’t see other cars in the blind spots.
- Tires pop, or the truck breaks down.
People can get really hurt, like breaking bones or hurting their brain, and sometimes accidents are even deadly.
Common Causes Of Truck Accidents
Each accident scenario is unique, and determining the underlying cause is essential in establishing liability.
Now, there are several factors that can contribute to truck accidents. These include:
1. Driver Fatigue:
Long working hours and the violation of federal hours of service regulations are the common practices of truckers.
2. Distracted Driving:
Lack of concentration when driving a vehicle or distracted driving is one of the major causes behind accidents. Errors in mobile device usage and navigation can lead to fatal mistakes.
3. Speeding Or Reckless Driving
Violations of the speed limit or reckless driving are another common reason behind truck accidents. Drivers become aggressive if they are under the pressure of time and, in most cases, make serious traffic errors.
4. Improperly Loaded Cargo
The next cause on the list of truck accidents is the improper loading of cargo. If the cargo inside the truck moves, then it is likely to destabilise the vehicle and make it turn over.
5. Mechanical Failure:
Finally, there is the issue of mechanical failure. Any form of brake, tire, or engine problems may well appear due to poor maintenance. And this will inherently cause truck accidents.
Truck Accident Liability: Who Can Be Held Liable For The Accident?
Figuring out who’s responsible can be tricky because many people can be at fault. You can hold the following people responsible for a truck accident:
- Truck drivers, if they made mistakes.
- A company that owns the truck.
- People who fix the truck if they didn’t do a good job.
- People who load the cargo if it is done wrong.
- Truck makers, if there was something wrong with the truck itself.
A thorough investigation is required to determine who is at fault and how much responsibility each party holds. This complexity makes legal guidance indispensable.
What To Do After A Truck Accident?
There are several things that one might need to do after being in a truck accident. However, apart from taking care of the medical needs, there comes one of the most important yet neglected things.
And what’s that?
Well, that is to ensure that you have done all the things to keep yourself safe legally in the coming days. These include the steps that one needs to take after the accident, like:
- Hiring a lawyer.
- Gathering evidence.
- Filing a compensation claim.
Do I really need to hire a truck accident lawyer? Well, yes, you do! And I will tell you why.
Why You Need A Truck Accident Attorney
It’s hard to handle a truck accident case alone. Truck companies have smart lawyers who try not to pay much. A good lawyer will:
- Look carefully at what happened.
- Get important proof like truck data and driver logs.
- Find everyone who is responsible.
- Figure out how much money you should get for all your losses.
- Talk to the insurance companies for you.
- Go to court if needed.
Their primary goal is pretty simple: They want to make sure you get what you deserve.
So, hiring a truck accident lawyer is very important after the incident. And this is especially the case for a collision with large commercial trucks. Here’s why you need them and how they can help you:
1. Complex Legal Issues
There can be varied clusters of involved parties, such as the trucking company, the driver, the manufacturer, and the shippers or loaders of cargo. A lawyer can manage the liabilities and suggest the legal intricacies, if any.
2. Thorough Investigation
Lawyers who deal with truck accidents conduct in-depth investigations, which include reading the preliminary accident reports, collecting evidence, engaging reconstruction experts, etc. Among others, this helps to uncover any potential defendants in the case.
3. Insurance Company Tactics
All through, insurance companies usually persist with unfair strategies aimed at slashing down the payments. By hiring a lawyer, you ensure the protection of your rights and good negotiations with the insurance adjusters and legal teams.
4. Maximizing Compensation
You may get to know all your losses and get compensation for them by hiring a lawyer. The damages include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and loss of companionship.
5. Navigating Legal Deadlines
One must know about the vital time constraints a personal injury case involves, as these are critical for the success of the claim, so a proper lawyer can make sure that the deadlines are met and the claim is protected.
6. Legal Representation In Court
When the other party, in this case, the insurance company, is not ready to negotiate an amicable settlement, a lawyer can serve you in court, advancing your arguments and securing the right decision.
7. Understanding Your Rights
A truck accident lawyer can be the one to clarify your possibilities and rights following the accident. This will help you be aware of the legal process and decisions that will be made.
8. Fighting For Fair Compensation
It is common for those who have suffered from a truck accident to experience difficulties in getting the full amount of their recovery. A lawyer can demand your rights and struggle for a settlement that is reasonable.
9. Protecting Your Financial Future
A lawyer can aid you in securing the financial backing necessary to meet the expenses due to treatment, loss of earnings, and other costs of the accident.
Don’t Wait—Act Now
After you have had your accident, time is of the essence. Evidence may be lost, and there are deadlines for filing claims in personal injury cases. The sooner that you have an attorney, the better your case will be.
Tractor-trailer crashes are flat-out tough, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. An experienced lawyer can help you start to heal and fight for your rights. If you or a family member was hurt, call an attorney today to figure out what you can do next.
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