Did you know that the traffic laws governing big trucks are more stringent than those governing regular vehicles? As these vehicles are physically bigger, in the event of a collision, the passengers of the smaller vehicle are more likely to be fatally injured.
A big truck accident occurs when a large commercial truck collides with a car, a motorcycle, or any vehicle smaller than its size. They are more likely to lead to substantial damage due to the size of trucks. If you need legal representation, consider speaking to personal injury attorney Russell Berkowitz.
Big truck accidents are as physically and emotionally challenging as motorcycle and car accidents. While you may sustain severe personal injuries and emotional damage, you may also face potential loss of income, financial adversity, a massive load of medical bills, and overwhelming emotional instability due to the accident’s impact.
All of these can prove daunting to handle. The law recognizes this, and as a result, you may receive compensation if you are a victim of a big truck accident.
Causes of Big Truck Accidents
The following are the causes of big truck accidents:
- Driver’s fatigue: Most big truck operators drive for long hours. This is because they have to travel lengthy distances to transport products from one location to the other. It may result in driver fatigue, which may, in turn, cause drowsiness, loss of inhibition, or a secondary lapse in judgment. A collision with a smaller vehicle may then occur, wounding the other driver and passengers in the process.
- Speeding: Big truck drivers have a different speed limit from regular vehicles. An accident may occur when a big truck driver speeds up and collides with another vehicle, making the driver liable to a lawsuit.
- Distractions: A big truck driver may get distracted while driving and collide with another vehicle. The driver and passengers of the other vehicle may sustain severe injuries in the accident.
- Driving under the influence: Some big truck drivers may drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol, affecting their sense of bodily control behind the wheel.
- Lack of maintenance: A lack of maintenance may also cause accidents. For example, if the truck’s brake is faulty, it may lead to a collision with another vehicle because the driver cannot stop the collision.
Three Crucial Steps to Take After a Big Truck Accident
Get Medical Help
Getting medical attention should be the first thing you do. You need to protect your life and ensure the quality of your health. Significant injuries are primarily severe, and you may sustain such injuries in different parts of your body.
That is why getting medical attention immediately after a big truck accident is essential. Also, your medical report will prove helpful to your case.
Involve the Police
After receiving your first treatment, you should contact the police to provide details about everything that has happened. Contacting the police as soon as possible allows you to easily capture every detail before you forget something important and leave it out.
Insurance adjusters may hold on to the forgotten information to beat down your compensation by claiming that you are lying in some part. Your lawyer may then use the police report as evidence to show the court or the insurance company.
File for Compensation in Court
You should also immediately contact a lawyer after receiving medical treatment. The lawyer will help you immediately file a case in court for compensation. The attorney will also help you through the physical and emotional challenges of the accident.
Areas Where an Attorney Will Help You
Investigate Your Case
As mentioned, you need to involve the police. However, the police report is never enough for the insurance company. They will investigate the accident to determine who is at fault, the extent of the fault, and the amount of compensation they should award.
What an attorney who specializes in a big truck accident will do is also to conduct a thorough investigation. It will help you build your case and find out the liable party. They will also help find people who can testify.
Negotiate for You
Negotiation is the most critical skill, as It is not every time that a court will set a compensation fee. You often need to negotiate with the insurance company and get what you deserve.
However, problems may arise when insurance companies seek ways to beat down your compensation. Thus, you need an attorney who is a skilled negotiator to help get you the best recompense.
Represent You in Court
An attorney will help gather evidence, build your case, find witnesses, and represent you in court. If your case goes to trial, they will help develop an argument to ensure you get the fairest compensation possible.
Assessment of Your Matter
The first thing a big truck accident attorney will do is evaluate and assess your case. They will check your expenses and potential income loss, investigate the liable party, and determine the best compensation you may receive. Following this, your attorney will work with their estimate.
They will also guide you through the steps to take to ensure that you do not jeopardize your chances of receiving compensation.
Why You Should Get an Attorney
It can be overwhelming simultaneously battling for your health and trying to sort out your mental well-being after an accident. You are advised to contact an experienced attorney to help you with your case and get compensated for any type of accident involving big trucks.
