WHAT YOU CAN DO AFTER A TRUCK ACCIDENT
Commercial vehicles should follow specific regulations that passenger vehicles aren’t required to follow. This is partly due to their size, weight, and ability to cause significant damage in a collision. If you’ve been in an accident with a large truck, it can be hard to know what to do. In some cases, the other driver may not have insurance or may not be willing to take responsibility for their actions. This is where a truck accident lawyer can help.
If you are looking for a lawyer, it is crucial to find one who focuses on truck accidents. This is because truck accidents are different from regular car accidents and require specific knowledge and experience to properly represent your case.
If you were involved in a collision with a semi-truck, you might benefit from the advice and other resources a reputable law office can provide. Contact Trucking and Medical Malpractice Lawyers from Hurt Trucker.
CAUSES OF TRUCK ACCIDENTS
Truck accidents are a significant cause of fatalities and injuries in the United States. A truck accident occurs when a truck is involved in a collision with another vehicle, pedestrian, bicyclist, or fixed object. These collisions can be caused by various factors, primarily driver error, weather conditions, and poor vehicle maintenance.
Driver error accounts for many of the crashes involving trucks. The most common driver errors are speeding and driving too fast for road conditions. Weather conditions accounting for crashes involving trucks include heavy rain, snow storms, or foggy days which limit visibility on the road. Mechanical problems also account for a portion of truck accidents and include faulty brakes, steering, or tires that blow out when driving at high speeds on wet roads.
Driver fatigue is another common cause of truck collisions. Since they frequently work long hours with long stretches of driving, truck drivers are particularly susceptible to fatigue. Over time, this leads to sleep deprivation, which results in more careless driving that can lead to an accident.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF TRUCK ACCIDENT CASES?
The most common truck accident cases involve a collision with another vehicle, often the result of a driver’s negligence or distraction. In these cases, the truck driver is at fault for causing the accident and will be liable for any damages caused by their negligence.
Another common type of truck accident case involves an accident between two large trucks. These accidents can be more serious, as they usually involve more damage to both vehicles and injuries to drivers and passengers in both trucks. These accidents are often caused by reckless driving or speeding on the part of one or both drivers involved in the collision, but poor road conditions might also play a role.
Lastly, there are accidents involving pedestrians hit by a truck while walking on a sidewalk or crossing the street. These accidents can also be severe because pedestrians don’t have much protection from large vehicles. They may suffer injuries such as broken bones, brain trauma, paralysis, amputation, and death.
Drivers involved in a wreck with a large truck need the legal assistance of a reputable law firm. Hurt Trucker Attorneys offer crash victims and their family members a free case evaluation.
MISSOURI TRUCK ACCIDENT LIABILITY
The liability for a truck accident is usually determined by the state’s law but can also be determined by the law of the jurisdiction. In Missouri, a statute states that the owner of a motor vehicle is liable for all damages caused by the use of such vehicle, except such damages as are caused by the willful act or negligence of the person injured. If you are in an accident with another driver and they were negligent, you can sue them to recover your losses.
Many commercial trucking accidents have multiple parties who may be financially liable in the event of a wreck. They include:
- The driver
- The carrier
- The shipper
The driver is most commonly held liable for negligence when the accident occurs during transportation and the driver is an employee of a carrier. The insurance company representing the trucking company is unlikely to grant compensation without a struggle. Attorneys from Hurt Trucker can help.
COMMON INJURIES RESULTING FROM TRUCK ACCIDENTS
Injuries that result from truck accidents are often severe and can lead to death. The severity of the injuries depends on the type of collision, how fast the truck is going, and what part of the body is impacted by the collision. In addition to back and neck injuries in truck drivers, the most common trucking injuries are:
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Broken Bones
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Head Injuries
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Internal Bleeding
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Neck Injuries
Tractor trailers are heavy and regularly transport hazardous materials. An accident between a passenger vehicle and a trucking company with a negligent truck driver can result in a complex court case to get compensation for damages. A dedicated attorney from Hurt Trucker can apprise you of your legal options and help protect your legal rights.
WHAT DAMAGES CAN YOU SEEK IN A TRUCK ACCIDENT?
Truck crashes can be devastating for everyone involved. After fatal crashes or other serious accidents with commercial trucks, many drivers are confused about their next step. If they don’t act swiftly, they may be unable to seek compensation for damages.
The most common damages people can seek in a truck accident are for the following:
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Medical bills
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Lost wages
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Pain and suffering
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Property damage and other costs
When a semi-truck accident occurs, you can support your case with the help of a lawyer from Hurt Trucker Attorneys. They offer various resources to plan your strategy and help you be as prepared as possible for the complex nature of such cases.
The Legal Process of Seeking Compensation for Truck Accident Victims
There are several steps a victim needs to take to establish liability, gather evidence, and pursue compensation for injuries sustained in an accident.
- Gather Evidence: Strong evidence makes a good case. You will need to obtain a copy of the police report, photographs of the accident scene and damages, your medical records, and details of lost wages.
- Deal with Insurance Companies: Usually, truck accidents involve multiple insurance companies, including those representing the truck driver, trucking company, and other parties. Negotiating a fair deal with them could be challenging.
- Filing a Lawsuit: Depending on how your negotiation goes with the insurance companies, you might want to file a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit.
- Settlement Negotiation: Once the lawsuit is filed, the parties may engage in settlement negotiations to reach an agreement without going to trial.
Handling these matters with trucking companies or other drivers’ insurance company, could be challenging. If you are the one who sustained injuries or the co-driver, it is best to have a free consultation with an experienced attorney.
HOW CAN AN ATTORNEY HELP AFTER A TRUCK ACCIDENT?
Truck accidents are a common occurrence in the United States. Truck drivers and passengers should know how to handle themselves after such an accident.
The first thing that truck drivers should do is call 911 right away. They should also ask someone to call them if they are unable to reach the phone themselves. The driver should be sure to provide their name and contact information, the location of the incident, and any injuries they have sustained while on the phone with emergency personnel.
It is also essential that truck drivers try not to move around too much after a collision, as this could increase their risk of injury or aggravate any pre-existing injuries.
Attorneys help determine how much compensation a client should get. They may also assist with negotiations and provide advice about benefits. If you’re looking for information about car accidents, contact Hurt Trucker Attorneys.