Trucking accidents can lead to serious, disabling injuries with long-term effects on victims’ lives. Pursuing compensation is essential for ensuring justice and holding responsible parties accountable.
Truck accidents are among the worst road accidents and they cause significant damage. Due to their large mass and size, commercial trucks are considered dangerous to other people on the road, vehicles, walkers, and bikers. Often, as a result of truck accidents, victims end up with severe and lifelong injuries, can no longer work, and suffer from PTSD. If you have been involved in a trucking accident, filing for justice and reasonable compensation for your injuries is non-negotiable.
Understanding Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can occur for various reasons, including:
Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers work for extended periods and often end up tired with poor judgement. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has rules concerning the number of hours that a driver is allowed to drive; however, many of these rules are sometimes violated.
Negligence: Of course, truck drivers, like every other driver on the road, are bound by traffic rules and regulations. Truck drivers who violate the law as they drive their trucks risk causing major accidents, such as speeding, tailgating, or ignoring signals, among others.
Mechanical Failures: Trucks are complex vehicles that demand constant maintenance. For example, brake failure or a sudden blowout can lead to a very serious accident.
Overloaded Trucks: Overloading of a truck makes the vehicle develop an unstable balance, which may lead to rolling over or loss of control.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
Seek Medical Attention: First, go to the hospital or call 911, no matter how minor the symptoms may appear. A medical report will also be essential when proving the severity of an injury in a personal injury claim.
Call the Police: Calling the police to the scene will help you get an official report of the accident and details such as the truck driver’s information and any tickets that may be issued, together with an investigation into the reasons for the accident.
Gather Evidence: If you can, take photos of the accident, your injuries, and your car. Gather the contact info of eyewitnesses. This information will be very useful for your lawyer in creating a strong defense case.
Report the Accident: Accidents involving commercial trucks have to be reported to the trucking firm that owns the vehicle. Your lawyer will assist you in this process to make sure every aspect is covered.
Consult an Attorney: Trucking accident claims are complicated, and there are usually two or more parties involved, such as the truck driver, their employer, a subcontractor, or the manufacturer of the vehicle. A competent lawyer will assist you in determining the liable party and engaging the insurers, hence protecting your legal rights.
How an Attorney Can Assist You in Filing a Lawsuit
If you have been involved in a truck accident, your only concern must be to recover quickly. Leave the legal issues to a professional personal injury lawyer. Here’s how a lawyer can help:
Investigating the Accident: Commercial trucking accidents are normally complicated to investigate. Your attorney will gather the facts of the case, study the police report, review the truck driver’s driving history, and look into the maintenance record.
Determining Liability: As we have seen in trucking accident cases, liability can be distributed among several parties. This could include the truck driver, the company running the truck, the contractors responsible for maintenance, or even the manufacturer of the truck or its components. A lawyer will assist in making such determinations about who is liable and ensure they are held accountable.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Trucking companies may have commercial insurance policies, and insurance providers may approach you with lowball offers to avoid paying you the compensation you deserve. An attorney can negotiate with insurers on your behalf and ensure that you are rightfully compensated.
Fighting for Fair Compensation: Trucking accidents have many consequences, such as high medical costs, loss of earnings, and disabilities. A lawyer will fight for the full range of compensation you may be entitled to, including:
- The cost of medical care now and in the future
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Rehabilitation costs
- Property damage
Representing You in Court: If fair compensation cannot be reached, your attorney will be ready to fight for your case in court. They will stand for you and defend your rights at any point during the legal process.
Accountability: Prosecuting negligent truck drivers and their employers can save lives and serve as a lesson for others.
Compensation for Losses: Justice provides the funds needed to cover medical expenses, recover lost wages, and support your family while you heal.
Final Words
Trucking accidents can lead to serious, disabling injuries with long-term effects on victims’ lives. Pursuing compensation is essential for ensuring justice and holding responsible parties accountable. The help of an experienced personal injury lawyer can address the legal complexities, allowing you to focus on recovery. Don’t face this struggle alone – consult a New York truck accident lawyer to protect your rights and secure justice.
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