In 2013, nearly 11% of all road accident fatalities were attributed to crashes that involved commercial trucks although only about 5% of vehicles on the freeways were 18 wheeler semi-trucks, commercial trucks and multi-axle trucks. Given the large size of the trucks and the massive payload they carry, it’s obvious that a semi-truck accident with a small passenger automobile will have devastating consequences.
Injuries are serious and often life threatening; people who survive the crash are often left with disabilities that mar the quality of their personal life and impact their ability to earn a living. Despite the grave toll that such accidents have on the victims, trucking companies and drivers frequently ignore regulations in a bid to earn more. The victims of trucking accidents bear the brunt of their apathy to public safety.
Yet, when you seek the compensation you deserve, insurance companies go out of their way to give the lowest possible payout. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to turn the tide in your favor. So, here is a look at what you should expect if you have been in a semi-truck accident.
Insurance companies will try to hold you responsible
- Logistic companies and truck drivers are often found to be blatantly violating rules pertaining to the safety of the trucks and operational regulations that do not allow drivers to be at the wheels of such large automobiles beyond a certain number of hours at a stretch.
- If all trucks on the road of the US were checked for road worthiness, at least 25% of them would be immediately deemed unsafe for operations.
- The DOT reported that almost 30,000 truck drivers have tested positive for narcotics use in recent years, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Defense and Coverage providers will bully you into accepting lower compensation
Do not let anybody tell you that victims of trucking accidents are only entitled to compensation that covers their medical expenses. If you or a loved one has been hurt in such an accident or if the incident has resulted in a fatality, the insurance companies may be liable to cover the following damages:
- Medical expenses, including but not limited to, doctor’s visits, hospital stay charges, in-home care fees, specialist fees, ambulance fees, medication, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, medical devices needed for recuperation
- Compensation for pain, anxiety, distress
- Loss of wages
- Loss of capacity to earn in the future due to the injuries sustained
- Loss of companionship because of relationship deterioration that resulted from such injuries or due to the death of a loved one
- Special damages for emotional suffering
- Property loss or damage
After a trucking accident you need legal help and you need it on the double!
Such disputes only have two possible outcomes. You are sent away with a pittance for all the horrors you have endured as a result of the mishap or you walk out with the compensation your rightfully deserve. How things culminate for you will depend on whether you seek legal help in time. An attorney who is experienced at handling trucking accident cases will ensure that things work in your favor from the very beginning.
Remember, you only have a small window of time to file your claim from the time of the accident. After this period, the defense lawyers may destroy evidence including driver logs, which have information on how many hours the operator had spent at the wheels when the accident occurred. Needless to say, this is a crucial bit of information.
So, if you have been in a trucking accident don’t wait until the matter seems too complicated for you to handle on your own. Get in touch with us today and let our experienced team of attorneys defend your rights for you!
Going through an accident is very hard but living through the long term consequences of a trucking accident without financial means is even harder. So, let us win you the compensation that you need and are entitled to get.