Being involved in a truck accident can be overwhelming and life-changing. With the size and weight of commercial trucks, these accidents often result in serious injuries and damages. In the aftermath, knowing what steps to take can protect your rights, ensure your safety, and help you seek fair compensation. From seeking medical attention to gathering evidence and dealing with insurance companies, understanding the right course of action is vital.
Don’t let the stress and uncertainty of a truck accident case overwhelm you. Contact an experienced truck accident attorney today to protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve.
Request Your Free Consultation
How Common Are Truck Accidents
Large commercial truck accidents are, unfortunately, common across the country. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), thousands of people suffer an injury or are killed in traffic accidents that involve commercial trucks annually. Here are some important statistics:
- In 2021, nearly 6,000 large commercial trucks or buses were involved in deadly crashes nationwide.
- Over the past several years, the percentage of large trucks that were involved in deadly crashes increased by 18 percent, increasing the total number of crashes from just under 5,000 crashes to nearly 6,000 per year.
- From the years 2020 until 2021, buses and large commercial trucks, which traveled nearly 100 million vehicle miles compared to other types of vehicles, saw a marginal increase in the percentage of crashes nationwide.
- Over the past two decades, the number of injury-causing crashes involving large commercial trucks or buses has decreased from more than 100,000 annually to around 60,000.
What Should I Do After Getting Into An Accident With a Commercial Truck?
The steps you take after a truck accident are critical to the success of your accident claim. Consider taking the following steps to protect your legal claims after surviving an accident with a large commercial truck:
Get Medical Attention
You should get medical attention after a truck accident, even if you do not think your injuries are severe. Getting medical care after a crash is so important to your physical well-being. Some injuries, like internal bleeding or internal organ damage, can only be seen after a physical examination. Additionally, failing to seek medical care after a crash can give insurance companies a basis for denying your claim by asserting that your injuries are not as severe as you claim because you chose not to see a doctor.
File an Insurance Claim
You will likely file an insurance claim after getting into a truck accident. Filing a claim is typically the beginning of getting the compensation you deserve after a crash. However, despite this critical step, working with an insurance company can be intimidating. You need to speak to an attorney before you speak to an insurance company. Insurance adjusters want to protect their company’s bottom line and profit margins. The company will do everything it can to avoid paying you to put money in the company’s pocket. An attorney can help you avoid these issues.
Start Gathering Evidence
Start collecting evidence immediately after a truck accident. You will need to gather proof of your injuries, damages, and other losses to win your case. Take photos and videos of your injuries and vehicle damages, if applicable. Collect contact and insurance information from the truck driver and any witnesses. Take note of the truck’s license plate, company name, and identifying numbers.
Consult a Truck Accident Lawyer
After a truck accident, you should contact an experienced attorney. Truck accident cases can be complex due to multiple liable parties (i.e., drivers, trucking companies, manufacturers, etc.). An experienced lawyer can help you navigate legal challenges, deal with insurance companies, and pursue fair compensation for damages.
Common Injuries After a Truck Accident
Of course, every accident is different and will cause various types of injuries; there are some common types of injuries that might happen after a truck accident, including the following:
Psychological Trauma
Getting into a crash with a large commercial truck can significantly impact your mental and emotional well-being. The fallout from suffering post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and emotional distress is a compensable loss after an accident.
Amputation
The weight of these vehicles and the massive force that can come from a truck accident can lead to amputation of your limbs. Sometimes, surgical amputations are required in severe crash injuries.
Burns and Lacerations
Severe burns from fuel-related fires or explosions and deep cuts from shattered glass, metal, or debris can easily come from truck accidents. These injuries should be treated immediately by a medical professional.
Internal Injuries
Internal injuries can happen after the significant impact of a truck accident. Examples of internal injuries include organ damage and internal bleeding, which can easily lead to death if not promptly treated.
Broken Bones
After a truck accident, broken bones in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis are common. Treating these injuries might require surgery, physical therapy, or long recovery periods.
Back Injuries
The impact of a truck accident can lead to serious back injuries. Common back injuries can include spinal fractures, nerve damage, chronic pain, mobility issues, muscle strains, and ligament strains.
Neck and Spinal Cord Injuries
A neck and spinal cord injury can lead to permanent problems for the victim. Examples of common neck and spinal cord injuries include whiplash, cervical spine damage, herniated or ruptured discs, or partial or complete paralysis.
Head and Brain Injuries
A head injury can come in many forms, but they are all serious. Common head injuries typically include traumatic brain injuries, contusions, hematomas, and brain swelling. Some of the common effects of a brain injury can include cognitive issues, memory loss, and long-term neurological damage.
Wrongful Death
In cases when the victim loses their life to a truck accident, their family might have a right to recover compensation for their wrongful death. Wrongful death law is complex, so having an experienced attorney is the best way for you to get what your family deserves after a fatal truck accident. If you lost a loved one, contact an experienced wrongful death lawyer to learn more about your rights.
Request Your Free Consultation
What Compensation Is Available After a Truck Accident?
There are several types of compensable damages that you might be entitled to after a truck accident. Generally, accident victims might be entitled to recover economic damages, non-economic damages, and, in rare cases, punitive damages. Here are these categories in greater detail:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are available after a crash and can include the financial losses a victim faces because of the accident. While these types of damages are usually easy to see, speaking with an attorney is beneficial to ensure you are not leaving money on the table after a truck accident. Common examples of recoverable economic damages can include the following:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Current and future lost earnings
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Funeral and burial costs
Calculating economic damages requires detailed documentation and expert analysis. A personal injury attorney can help gather necessary records, consult experts, and ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve.
If you have suffered an injury, do not face the financial burden alone. Contact an experienced attorney today to protect your rights and secure fair compensation.
Non-economic Damages
Non-economic damages include intangible losses that accident victims face after a crash. These types of losses can be hard to identify or quantify. An attorney can help you get what you deserve regarding non-economic damages. Examples of non-economic damages can include the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement or physical impairment
- Loss of reputation
- Inconvenience
An experienced personal injury attorney can help maximize your claim by gathering evidence and demonstrating the full impact of your injuries. If you have suffered an injury, do not settle for less than you deserve. Contact a personal injury attorney today to discuss your case and fight for fair compensation.
Punitive Damages
Rarely, courts will award plaintiffs in truck accident cases with punitive damages. Punitive damages are not meant to compensate the victim, however. Courts award punitive damages to punish the defendant and deter their outrageous behavior in the future. Speak to an attorney to learn more about the availability of punitive damages in your case.
How Can a Truck Accident Attorney Help Me After a Crash?
Being involved in a truck accident can lead to devastating injuries, financial burdens, and complex legal challenges. Unlike standard car accidents, truck accident cases often involve multiple parties, including trucking companies, insurers, and manufacturers. A truck accident attorney can help you navigate these complexities and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Determine Liability
Truck accidents often involve multiple responsible parties, including the following:
- The truck driver (for negligence, fatigue, or reckless driving).
- The trucking company (for overloading or improper cargo securing).
- The truck manufacturer (if defective parts contributed to the crash).
- The cargo company (for overloading or improper cargo securing).
Handle Insurance Companies
Negotiating with insurance companies is a large part of resolving your claim. However, dealing with a large, intimidating insurance company can be difficult. Fortunately, an experienced attorney can help successfully deal with insurance adjusters who have one goal in mind- to save the company money. Contact an insurance company to learn more about how to protect your legal interests after a truck accident.
Investigating the Accident
Investigating the cause of the accident can be challenging for an individual. An attorney will investigate the cause of the accident to help prove that the other party was liable. Having an independent investigation can help you get an unbiased understanding of the facts of your case and improve your chances of a successful outcome.
Calculate Full Compensation
Having an attorney help through your truck accident case can help ensure you receive damages for medical bills, lost earnings, vehicle repairs, and pain and suffering. An attorney will review the facts of your case and help consider future expenses for long-term medical care, therapy, or lost earning capacity.
Ensure Compliance with Trucking Laws
The FMCSA handles all legal regulations for the trucking industry across the United States. Knowing how to evaluate these laws and regulations and understand your legal rights can be hard. An experienced truck accident attorney will help you navigate these challenges and get the monetary recovery you deserve after a crash.
Provide Peace of Mind
Trying to collect the compensation that you deserve after a truck accident can be complex and stressful. Having an attorney handle the legal burden so you can focus on healing is best. A truck accident lawyer will offer you serious advice and guidance.
Representing You In Court If Needed
Many truck accident cases are resolved during your case’s settlement negotiations phase. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, then your case will be set for trial. An attorney will present strong arguments backed by evidence and expert testimony to ensure you get the full and fair compensation you deserve after a truck accident.
Truck accident cases are complex, and insurance companies will try to minimize your claim. Do not face this battle alone- contact an experienced truck accident attorney today for a free consultation and to protect your right to fair compensation.
Contact a Truck Accident Attorney Today!
Truck accidents often lead to severe injuries and extensive property damage. Dealing with insurance companies and handling legal processes can be overwhelming and time-consuming. Managing the aftermath of a truck accident can be complex. From dealing with insurance companies to understanding liability, having the right legal support can make all the difference. A skilled truck accident lawyer can fight for your rights, handle negotiations, and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.
It’s always best to act quickly after a truck accident. A Truck accident lawyer can work on your case right away, Important evidence may be lost or destroyed, and witnesses’ memories may fade if you wait. You are not alone. Contact an experienced truck accident lawyer today for a free consultation and take the first step toward justice and financial recovery.