Unique Challenges of Big Truck Accidents
Massive Size Disparity
Collisions between passenger cars and large trucks are often catastrophic simply due to extreme differences in size and weight. The force involved when an 80,000 lb truck hits a 3,000 lb car is monumental.
Complex Liability Factors
Many parties may share blame for truck crashes, including the driver, trucking company, parts manufacturers, cargo loaders, and more. Identifying all negligent parties is key yet complicated.
Catastrophic Injuries More Likely
The excessive impact forces in a big truck collision frequently lead to permanent disabilities, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputated limbs, severe burns, or fatalities. The damages warrant legal expertise.
Major Insurance Complications
Navigating insurance claims involving complex commercial policies requires experience. Truck accident lawyers know how to maximize compensation from multiple liable parties.
How Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help
Assessing Negligence and Liability
Your attorney thoroughly investigates who was at fault – the truck driver, trucking company, part manufacturers, cargo loaders, or other parties – and how their negligence directly caused your collision.
Investigating the Accident Thoroughly
Leave no stone unturned gathering evidence like black box data, footage, police reports, inspection records, logbooks, and witness statements to unambiguously prove what led to the truck crash.
Identifying All Responsible Parties
Your lawyer identifies any and all entities whose carelessness caused the accident – not just the truck driver – to pursue compensation from multiple defendants if warranted.
Navigating Trucking Company Insurance
Experienced attorneys know how to successfully maneuver complex cases involving extensive commercial liability insurance policies of large trucking companies.
Maximizing Case Compensation
Given the enormous losses possible in severe truck collisions, an aggressive lawyer fights for every possible source of maximum compensation for your injuries, losses, pain and suffering.
Key Questions to Ask a Truck Accident Attorney
Do You Specialize in Big Truck Cases?
You need an attorney intimately familiar with the intricacies of commercial truck claims, not just standard automotive accidents. Ask for specifics on their truck accident litigation experience.
What Settlement Results Have You Achieved?
Understanding their track record of results for past truck accident clients offers insight on what they may be able to obtain for you.
Are You Willing to Go to Trial If Needed?
Given the complexities of high-stakes trucking cases, you need counsel able to take your case to court if that’s in your best interests, not just settle.
How Will You Handle Communicating With the Insurance Companies?
Ask how they approach negotiating with insurance carriers and their strategies to maximize settlement offers. Assertive advocacy is a must.
Taking Legal Action After a Truck Accident
Seeking Immediate Medical Attention
Get evaluated at the ER after any truck collision, even if you feel uninjured initially. Documentation helps validate claims later.
Reporting the Accident Properly
File a formal police report onsite describing all details you recall. Be sure to get the officer’s badge number and a copy of the report.
Preserving Crucial Evidence
Take photos capturing damage, skid marks, debris, weather and road conditions, and even your injuries. Preserve any dash cam or surveillance footage that recorded events.
Documenting Your Injuries and Losses
Keep meticulous records of medical bills, lost income, repair invoices, insurance claim filings, and anything relating to the truck accident. Give your attorney documentation needed to prove losses.
In conclusion, truck accident cases demand legal experience and dedication to investigate fully, identify all liable parties, deal with complex policies, and secure rightful compensation for catastrophic losses and long-term damages. An aggressive truck wreck attorney levels the playing field.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit?
Deadlines called statutes of limitations restrict filing timeframes, commonly 2-3 years. Consult a qualified attorney promptly so as not to run afoul of legal deadlines.
Should I accept the trucking company’s initial settlement offer?
Rarely. Trucking firms often make unreasonably low opening offers. An attorney negotiates aggressively to secure a fair settlement reflecting the full extent of your losses.
What truck accident injuries warrant hiring a lawyer?
Any permanent disability, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, amputated or crushed limbs, severe burns, facial scarring, or fatality absolutely warrants seeking experienced legal representation.
Can I recover damages if I was partly at fault for the truck accident?
Yes, most states have comparative negligence doctrines allowing accident victims to recover damages proportional to the percentage they were not at fault.
Who pays for the lawyer’s fees in a truck accident case?
Truck accident lawyers work on contingency, so no payment is owed upfront. The attorney takes a percentage (30-40% typically) from any settlement or award.
