Truck accidents are a terrible situation; they can be way more complex than car crashes. Even though they’re rare compared to other accidents, big rigs cause serious damage and injuries.
Getting the compensation you deserve after a truck accident can be tough. You might be facing serious injuries, mountains of medical bills, a totalled car, and lost wages on top of everything else.
In some tragic cases, people even lose loved ones in truck accidents. Many people think truck accidents are always the fault of the truck driver. However, many other parties could be held liable for truck accidents. Finding the cause of a truck accident is the best way to determine the liable party.
Most people need a lawyer who specializes in truck accidents. These lawyers know the ins and outs of these cases and can fight to get you fair compensation.
Complications That Can Arise In A Truck Accident Case
Here are a few reasons why truck accident cases are more complex than typical car wreck cases:
Multiple At-Fault Parties
Truck accidents can turn into a tangled mess compared to a simple fender bender. Unlike car accidents, there can be a whole bunch of people who might be responsible for the wreck. The trucking company itself could be on the hook if they cut corners on maintenance, hired a driver with a bad record, or pressured them to break safety rules by driving too long.
The driver could also be to blame for things we all know are dangerous, like speeding or messing with their phone. Even the people who loaded the truck can play a part. If they overload it, stack the load incorrectly, or do not secure it properly, the entire truck can become unbalanced and cause a serious accident.
And that’s not all – even the company that makes the truck parts can be responsible if a faulty part, like bad brakes, causes the whole accident. This web of potentially responsible parties is what makes truck accidents so much more complex.
Legal Railroading from the Truck Companies
Truck companies have large insurance policies and a team of lawyers at their disposal. This can be intimidating for victims who are already dealing with injuries and trying to pick up the pieces of their lives.
The insurance company might offer you a quick settlement that seems appealing at the moment, especially if you’re facing medical bills and lost wages. However, this offer might be far less than what your case is truly worth.
The truck company or their insurer might deny any responsibility for the accident, claiming the other driver was at fault or that the accident was unavoidable.
In some cases, the insurance company might try to shift blame to you, claiming you somehow contributed to the accident.
An experienced truck accident lawyer can level the playing field. They will know the tactics insurance companies use and how to counter them.
Federal Regulations Involved
Trucks operate under a different set of regulations compared to regular passenger vehicles. These Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations cover things like driver qualifications, hours of service (to prevent driver fatigue), truck maintenance, and cargo securement.
The FMCSA regulations can be complex and technical. A lawyer who specializes in truck accidents will have a deep understanding of these regulations and how they apply to your specific case.
If the truck driver or trucking company violated any FMCSA regulations, it can strengthen your case and establish their negligence. Your lawyer will know how to identify potential violations and gather evidence to support them.
This evidence might include driver logs, maintenance records, or data from the truck’s “black box” recorder.
Lack of Witnesses
Sometimes, truck accidents occur on remote stretches of road with no witnesses. The absence of eyewitness accounts can make it more challenging to prove fault.
However, a skilled lawyer will explore other avenues of evidence, such as truck driver logs, skid marks on the road, damage to the vehicles, and data from the truck’s recorder. A competent lawyer can still build a compelling case on your behalf by piecing together all of this physical evidence.
Wrapping Up
Truck accident cases can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Consulting with an experienced personal injury lawyer who specializes in truck accidents can help you navigate these complexities and fight for the compensation you deserve.
