Semi-trucks are massive vehicles that can cause devastation in traffic accidents. If you are involved in a traffic accident with a semi-truck, you may find yourself hurt, unable to work, and dealing with massive medical bills. You need an attorney to learn more about how to get what you deserve after a semi-truck accident.
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How Common Are Semi-Truck Accidents?
Unfortunately, semi-truck accidents are far too common across the country. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), large truck accident fatalities happen every day nationwide.
NHTSA has published statistics that show that over the past several years, nearly 40,000 people died in traffic crashes nationwide. Almost 6,000 people died in an accident that involved a semi-truck.
According to statistics published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, more than 3,000 people have suffered an injury in accidents involving a larger truck. Nearly 400 pedestrians died in traffic accidents with a semi-truck.
Speaking to an attorney is the best way to get what you deserve after a semi-truck accident. Contact a semi-truck lawyer if you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a traffic accident involving a large commercial truck.
Why Do Truck Accidents Happen?
Truck accidents happen for many reasons. The top reason that truck accidents occur is when a driver is negligent. To recover in a semi-truck settlement, you must prove the other party or parties’ negligence and, thus, their responsibility for your injuries.
An attorney can prove your case and secure the financial recovery you deserve after a truck accident.
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Improper cargo loading
- Bad weather conditions
- Negligent hiring and retention
- Improper training
- Speeding
- Alcohol and drug use
- Poorly maintained roads
- Distracted driving
- Driver fatigue
- Other drivers and third parties
No matter the cause of the accident, you need legal advice that only an attorney can provide. A semi-truck accident lawyer will guide you through the complicated legal process after a crash. Contact an experienced semi-truck accident attorney to learn more about your right to financial recovery after a truck accident.
What Should I Do After a Semi-Truck Accident?
What you do after a semi-truck accident can make or break your ability to recover a financial settlement after a truck accident. Consider taking the following steps after an accident to increase your odds of recovering financial compensation after a semi-truck accident.
Seek Medical Attention
Remember to seek medical attention immediately after an accident. Not only does seeing a doctor protect your physical well-being, but it also protects you from insurance companies. When an accident victim fails to seek medical treatment or does not comply with their physician’s treatment plan, they make the insurance company argue more strongly that they did not suffer significant injuries from the accident.
Begin Gathering Evidence
You must present proof to the insurance company during the settlement negotiations period. An attorney will help gather pertinent information for your case, like the accident report, insurance policies, pictures, videos, witness statements, truck driver reports, etc.
Report the Accident
Many states require that you report the accident to the police immediately after it happens. Having a copy of the police report can help your attorney analyze your losses to ensure that you get what you deserve after the semi-truck accident.
Contact An Attorney
Contact an attorney as soon as possible after a semi-truck accident. After you hire an attorney, speak openly about your losses. An honest conversation with a semi-truck accident lawyer means they can provide a proper estimate of your total damages.
How Can a Semi-Truck Accident Attorney Help Me?
Having the right legal team is the best way to get what you deserve after a semi-truck accident. A semi-truck lawyer is the foundation of your legal team. The following are common ways that accident attorneys work to help their clients.
Understanding Regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates large commercial trucks across the United States. Semi-truck accidents involve specific trucking regulations.
An attorney with experience in handling truck accidents can help you. Your attorney will understand these federal rules and ensure you avoid violations.
Knowledge of Liability
There are many potential defendants in truck accident cases. Many parties can share the blame for causing your injuries, like the truck driver, the truck company, the city or state government, among others. Your lawyer will review the evidence and ensure you receive what you deserve from each responsible party.
Accident Reconstruction
An accident reconstructionist is a professional who reviews the available evidence to learn more about the cause of the accident. An attorney works with accident reconstructionists and other professionals to reconstruct the accident scene, help establish the cause of the crash, and help support your claim.
Gathering Evidence
Evidence is vital to your claim. An attorney will collect and analyze evidence like police reports, medical records, truck driver logs, maintenance reports, and witness statements to help prove your claim.
Dealing With Adjusters
Dealing with insurance companies and adjusters in a crash involving two passenger cars is difficult enough; the truck company’s insurance adjusters are an even bigger beast.
An attorney will help intercept any communications between you and the insurance company. This will reduce the stress of negotiations and ensure that you do not leave any money on the table with insurance adjusters.
Calculating Damages
Some accident victims downplay their damages and injuries. Downplaying your injuries is a major mistake and can negatively impact your financial future. An attorney will sift through the facts and evidence to estimate the overall cost of your damages.
Professional Testimony
In addition to an accident reconstructionist's professional testimony, your lawyer might have access to other professionals who can provide important testimony. Professional testimony can include physicians, mental health professionals, and others who can increase the validity of your claim.
Filing a Lawsuit
Negotiations often resolve many civil accident claims, but some make it to trial. If the insurance company does not offer you a satisfactory settlement offer, your attorney might file a lawsuit and guide you through the process.
Trial Preparation
Trial preparation is an important part of getting what you deserve after filing a lawsuit for a semi-truck accident. An attorney will prepare you for what to expect from the court. Having an attorney means you have someone to rely on to get the financial recovery you deserve and that you need to move forward after a crash.
Navigating the Legal System
The legal system is a beast. You might fall victim to pitfalls and mistakes if you do not have an experienced advocate working for you. Having a legal team means that you have access to knowledge, experience, and other benefits from hiring a legal professional.
Strategy Development
The best way to get what you deserve after a semi-truck accident is to develop an effective case strategy. Work with an experienced semi-truck accident attorney to start developing an effective strategy.
Meeting Deadlines
Meeting deadlines and complying with other procedural rules are important to the life of your claim. As per the statute of limitations, missing a deadline can mean you can no longer pursue financial compensation.
Handling Logistics
Handling logistics is a stressful part of a semi-truck accident case. Trying to handle logistics while recovering from physical injuries can prove too much for most accident victims. An attorney will step in and handle the day-to-day aspects of your case so that you can focus on your recovery.
Support
Having an attorney means that you get the holistic support that you need after a semi-truck accident. You can rely on your attorney to answer your legal questions and provide legal and practical advice about the best way to move forward after a semi-truck accident.
Getting an attorney immediately after a semi-truck accident is the best way to protect your legal rights and understand your options after a crash. Contact a lawyer immediately if you or a loved one suffered an injury in a semi-truck accident.
What are the Damages After a Semi-Truck Accident?
No two accidents are the same, but there are some common damages claimed for compensation after a semi-truck crash. Most damages fall into either the economic or non-economic category of damages. An attorney can ensure you receive everything you deserve after a semi-truck accident.
Economic Damages
Economic losses are tangible and physical. You can usually identify these damages easily, as they are visible to the naked eye. However, some victims tend to downplay their losses. A review of your damages can mean that an attorney identifies your losses to ensure full and fair financial compensation.
Examples of economic losses after a semi-truck accident can include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Current and future lost income and lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium and the cost of domestic labor
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic losses include intangible losses from an accident. These types of losses can be difficult to identify for many accident victims. Speak to an attorney to learn more about what qualifies as a non-economic loss.
Common examples of non-economic losses can include:
- Mental and emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Inconvenience
- Disability
- Embarrassment
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not available in every case. Courts award punitive damages to plaintiffs for the defendant’s unreasonably dangerous actions. They do not compensate the victim. Speak to your attorney to learn more about the availability of punitive damages.
Working with a semi-truck lawyer is the best way to ensure you get the compensation you deserve after an accident. Contact an attorney if you or a loved one has suffered an injury or been killed in a semi-truck accident.
Common Injuries After a Semi-Truck Accident
Every accident is different and can result in injuries. Because of the weight and size of semi-trucks, they have the potential to cause life-altering or fatal injuries.
Common examples of injuries suffered by victims of a semi-truck crash include:
- Wrongful death
- Whiplash
- Head and brain injuries
- Disfigurement
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Amputation
- Paralysis and spinal cord injuries
- Bruises
- Lacerations
While injuries vary in severity, an attorney can assist in restoring your life after a semi-truck accident. Contact a lawyer right away if you or a loved one suffered an injury or died in a truck accident.
How Long Do I Have To Sue After a Semi-Truck Accident?
Semi-truck accident victims do not have unlimited time to settle their cases or file a lawsuit. Like all civil lawsuits, semi-truck accident cases are subject to the statute of limitations.
The statute of limitations sets a deadline that limits how long plaintiffs can wait before filing a lawsuit to recover compensation for their losses after an accident. The statute of limitations varies by state. Most states give accident victims one to three years from the accident date to settle their case or file a lawsuit.
There are nearly no exceptions to the statute of limitations. Missing the statute of limitations typically means that you have lost your right to recover. However, some states do not start the clock on the statute of limitations until after the victim discovers their injury.
Speak to a lawyer to learn more about how procedural rules apply to your case.
Contact a Semi-Truck Accident Attorney Today!
Semi-trucks have the potential to cause massive damage and serious injuries due to their size and weight. A full recovery from a semi-truck accident involves not only compensation for physical injuries but also for emotional distress, lost income, and other related losses.
An attorney can guide you through the legal terrain, ensuring you receive comprehensive compensation and understand all your legal rights and options after the accident.
Hiring a personal injury attorney provides the support you need to pursue justice and rebuild your life effectively.