Truck accidents are very different from typical automobile accidents. The size, weight, and force of a truck completely alter the dynamics of what happens in the accident.
If you have suffered an injury in a truck accident or are recovering from one, there’s more to deal with than just your physical injuries. There may be multiple parties involved, insurance providers who want to reduce payouts, and other things that you will not experience in a common car accident case.
In these cases, it’s important to consider hiring a truck accident lawyer. .
Goldman Daszkal & Stallone is a personal injury law firm with experience handling these types of cases. The attorneys handle accident investigations, identify liable parties, and help clients recover compensation for their injuries.
1. Truck Accidents Often Involve Multiple Responsible Parties
One of the most significant distinctions between a truck accident and other accident cases is the number of parties potentially responsible.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, thousands of people are injured or killed each year in collisions involving big trucks. In addition to being dangerous, truck accidents often involve complex legal issues.
While liability in an automobile collision usually depends on the actions of one or two motorists, in a truck accident, it can involve:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- An outside maintenance service
- The manufacturer of the truck
- Cargo loading businesses
As such, there are many aspects of a truck accident that need to be considered before determining the responsible party. A truck accident lawyer knows how to sort through the details and establish liability.
Otherwise, accident victims may not receive full compensation.
2. Truck Accident Injuries Are Often More Severe
Commercial trucks are much larger and heavier than standard passenger vehicles. This means there’s a higher chance of getting seriously injured during the crash.
Crashes involving trucks can cause you to suffer:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Damage to the spinal cord
- Bone fractures
- Temporary or permanent disabilities
In most cases, these injuries can be life-altering and might even make you unable to earn a living.
For this reason, truck accident claims are often more complex and higher in value than other claims. Proper assessment would require knowledge of present and future damages.
This is where an experienced truck accident lawyer comes in handy.
3. Trucking Laws Add Another Layer of Complexity
The trucking industry is governed by a set of stringent government regulations at both the state and federal levels.
Truck drivers must follow strict regulations, including:
- Hours of service and mandated breaks
- Maintenance requirements for vehicles and inspections
- Limits on weight and cargo security
These are part of federal and state trucking regulations.
If the driver or the trucking firm violates these regulations, then such a violation might be one reason behind the accident. However, in order to prove the violation of regulations, you need a strong understanding of how these laws apply.
A truck accident attorney understands the trucking laws and uses them to establish liability in court.
4. Evidence in Truck Accident Cases Can Disappear Quickly
In case of a major truck accident, evidence needs to be preserved immediately to ensure that vital information is not lost.
The evidence required might be:
- Driver logbooks
- Truck maintenance logs
- Data from the truck’s black box
- Images of the accident scene
Sometimes, the trucking company may control this evidence. Unless action is taken quickly, the evidence might be compromised or hard to acquire.
Truck accident lawyers are very familiar with this process and will take necessary steps to help preserve this evidence for your case.
5. Insurance Companies Approach Truck Accident Claims Differently
In many instances, insurance companies representing the trucking company handle truck accident claims. They understand how to reduce the settlement amount and can:
- Argue that they were not responsible for an accident.
- Dispute the severity of your injuries.
- Offer settlements that do not take into account all the future costs.
Negotiations are more complex because of the higher potential payouts. Your truck accident lawyer will negotiate with these insurance representatives on your behalf.
6. Accident Reconstruction May Be Required
Sometimes, it can be difficult to determine how the accident happened. Often, lawyers and accident reconstruction specialists work together to:
- Study the final locations of vehicles and points of impact
- Look into speed and braking information
- Piece together the chain of events that led up to the accident
This helps determine what caused the accident and who is at fault. Many truck accident lawsuits depend on such a detailed investigation of the event.
7. There Is Much More to Consider Than Medical Bills In a Truck Crash
Apart from the cost of immediate care, there is a lot more to consider after an accident:
- Loss of income
- Long-term medical treatment
- Lower earning ability
- Psychological trauma
As such, determining the value of a truck accident case involves much more than adding up bills. An experienced attorney can accurately calculate these losses.
8. Filing a Truck Accident Case Needs Proper Preparation
Filing a claim is just one part of the process. In other cases, it might become necessary to file a truck accident lawsuit.
It will include:
- Collecting all relevant evidence
- Putting forward legal arguments
- Adherence to all deadlines
- Following all court rules and procedures
Non-adherence to deadlines and filing incomplete cases could negatively affect the process. An experienced truck accident lawyer helps ensure that you take care of everything at all stages.
9. Having a Truck Accident Attorney Allows You to Focus On Recovery
If you have been involved in an accident and injured, your priority should be recovery. Dealing with legal issues alone while recovering from a traumatic experience can become stressful.
Having a truck accident lawyer will help you concentrate on your recovery since they will:
- Handle all communications with insurance companies
- Take care of all paperwork related to the accident
- Coordinate with experts
- Represent you in negotiation proceedings
This allows you to focus on your recovery without worrying about other legal concerns.
What to Look for in an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer
Not all personal injury attorneys have the qualifications necessary to effectively handle a major truck accident case. Therefore, it is essential to find an attorney who meets specific criteria when dealing with such a specialized field of law.
Important qualifications include:
1. Experience Handling Truck Accident Cases
This type of law is distinct from general personal injury law. Therefore, ask your potential attorney directly about how many cases they have handled and the results of those lawsuits.
2. Knowledge Of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
An attorney knowledgeable about the FMCSA, hours of service regulations, and commercial truck regulations can spot issues another attorney would not notice.
3. Ability To Contact Experts
Medical professionals, accident reconstruction experts, and finance specialists are used to build a strong truck accident case. Your attorney and their team must be familiar with working with each of these individuals.
4. Litigation Skills And Experience
Although many cases will likely settle out of court, an attorney and a firm with the willingness and ability to go to trial can negotiate a better settlement.
5. Credentials Or Board Certification
Board certification or membership in the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys are two important indicators of an attorney’s dedication to truck accident cases.
6. Honest Initial Consultation
A consultation must be a free meeting in which the lawyer offers realistic expectations and information on how the case will likely be resolved.
Moving Forward After a Serious Truck Accident
Truck accident cases are highly complex. Usually, many parties are involved, and there is a high potential for serious injury. There will also be extensive investigations that are well beyond anyone’s expectations.
Getting help from a Truck Accident Lawyer helps ensure every aspect of your case is properly handled. Whether it is determining who is at fault or negotiating with insurers, legal professionals will protect your interests.
Goldman Daszkal & Stallone focuses on serving clients involved in truck accident cases. Their services cover everything from understanding each case to formulating solid claims and seeking compensation for their clients.
If you have been involved in a truck accident, now is the time to speak with an experienced attorney.
