Vehicle accidents are not all the same! According to a statistical report published by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA), truck accidents accounted for 287,000 property damage claims over a single year. The larger trailer truck accidents make up 4% of collisions but result in 9% of deaths in vehicular accidents. This makes truck accidents more injurious and fatal compared to other small vehicles involved in accidents. If you are involved in an 18-wheeler crash, the personal injury claim you will make will differ from those accidents that involve passenger-only vehicles. A motor accident lawyer helps you understand this difference.
Truck Accidents are More Dangerous and Fatal
Unlike small vehicles, large trucks such as tractor-trailers often result in serious injury, significant property damage, and increased fatality. People involved in a truck accident may suffer from any of the following injuries: Head and neck injuries, back injuries, spinal injuries which could cause paralysis, severe brain injury, broken or crushed bones, disfigurement, internal and external organ damage, amputation, and more. Most of the injuries caused by a truck accident need lifelong medical care and are tend to reduce the quality of life of the affected individual. A good car accident lawyer will assess the true value of the personal injury claim for a truck accident and help the patients get the maximum compensation they deserve.
Truck Accident Claims are Multifaceted and Complex
Truck accident claims aren’t as simple as small vehicle accident claims as it is challenging to gather and preserve evidence. When you are involved in an 18-wheeler crash, the trucking company will send investigators and insurance companies to the accident scene to investigate the issue. Their ultimate goal is to preserve the bottom line of the trucking company, and they may not care for your best interests. This is true even for your own insurance company. So, don’t give out any statements or sign anything without talking to your personal injury lawyer.
In most circumstances, the insurance company offers you a settlement to prevent you from taking the case to court. While it’s always tempting to accept the first settlement, you must deny it because you may not yet know the full extent of your injuries and the long-term impact of the accident. When it comes to truck accidents, multiple parties are involved including, the trucking company, truck driver, truck manufacturer, or parts manufacturer. When you hire an experienced accident lawyer, he will analyze the situation and help you claim all possible avenues of compensation.
Truck Accidents Require Additional Evidence
Truck accident claims require additional evidence, which is not always needed for car accident claims. Some of the additional evidences you must submit include truck drivers driving records, truck maintenance records, truck driver’s medical records, results of alcohol and drug testing, black box recorder, mobile phone records, and more.
Hiring the best personal injury lawyer helps you in collecting the required evidences and preparing vital expert witness testimony to back up your claim.
