A truck accident can be much worse than an accident with a personal vehicle. The sheer size and weight of a commercial vehicle makes a collision almost disastrous. Even more dangerous is that over three-quarters of truck accidents involve multiple vehicles. People in smaller cars are more likely to be injured. What makes a truck accident even more complex is the extensive injuries and long-term consequences.
Multiple Liable Parties
Truck accidents are much different than personal vehicle accidents because of the complexities of insurance. The driver may be liable, but the trucking company may also be liable for the accident. Each party may have a different insurance company. The insurance companies may pass blame around. In some cases, the manufacturer of the truck or the shipping company could be liable. Your truck accident lawyer can sort through the bureaucracy to get the claim settled.
Multiple Injuries and Long-Term Consequences
Once you’ve been injured in an accident with a commercial vehicle, you may be overwhelmed by the severity of it. You may not even realize the long-term effects of the injuries at first. While your first inclination may be to settle, you need to think through the economic impact of your injuries. If your injuries require ongoing care or cause you to be unable to go back to work, this needs to be included in your claim. Once you settle with an insurance company, you cannot go back and receive more money.
Multiple Experts and Investigators to Prove Your Case
After an accident, you can’t simply say that you have injuries and want so much money for your pain and suffering. To prove your claim, you need experts to show the amount of economic and non-economic damages you have. Your lawyer may need to hire investigators to prove how the accident happened and to show who was responsible. Sorting through the documents and evidence to show liability will take time and experience.
Truck Accidents Are Complex
In addition to multiple parties and serious injuries, another complication in a truck accident is the regulations that truck drivers and owners must adhere to. If a driver isn’t in compliance with federal guidelines, it could mean that they are liable for the accident even though it may not appear that way at first. An experienced truck accident lawyer, like a truck accident lawyer in Woodland Hills, CA, can make sure that your rights are protected, and the right person is held accountable for the damages. Contact an experienced lawyer to help you with your accident claim.
Thanks to Barry P. Goldberg, A Professional Law Corporation for their insight into why truck accidents are usually worse than typical car accidents.
