A Beginners Guide to Commercial Truck Accident Lawsuits
As a driver, you are exposed to all kinds of risks on the road. In a matter of seconds, you could crash with another vehicle or, even, a commercial truck.If you sustain serious injury and property damage from an accident where the other motorist was at fault, you can seek compensation by filing a lawsuit.
An auto accident lawsuit helps accident victims claim damages for medical costs incurred in treating the injuries, lost wages from missing work, as well as the pain and suffering experienced. In addition to compensatory damages, accident victims can be awarded punitive damages.
That said, when your accident involves a commercial truck, the process of filing a lawsuit and getting compensation may look a bit different. So, are a couple of things to know as a truck accident victim:
Why Commercial Truck Accidents Are Different from Other Auto Accidents
An accident between two passenger cars differs from one involving a commercial truck. For one, the impact is usually magnified due to the truck’s weight and size, so the resulting injuries are much more severe.
Also, filing a lawsuit after a truck accident is often much more complicated. Commercial trucks are required to take significantly higher coverage than passenger cars, so insurance companies will be pretty thorough with investigations before awarding compensation.
Plus, keep in mind that the case involves not just you and the driver, but the employer too. Without a good commercial truck accident lawyer, fighting your lawsuit can be extremely challenging.
The Different Types of Commercial Truck Accidents
If you have been involved in a truck accident, high chances are it was one of the following:
- Truck rollover
- Head-on collision
- Rear end collision
- Jackknife accident
- T-bone accidents
- Sideswipe accident
- Wide turn accident
- Blind spot collisions
- Tire blowouts
- Falling loads due to incorrect loading or overloading
- Underride collisions
What Commercial Truck Accident Injuries Can Seek Damages for?
Unfortunately, truck accident injuries are usually severe and, in many cases, permanent or even fatal. However, even less severe injuries, like those affecting the soft tissues, can also be awarded damage.
Nonetheless, the extent of the damage usually determines your settlement and you can sue for the following:
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Herniated discs
- Paralysis
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Severe muscle spasms
- Reduced mobility
- Visual issues
- PTSD, anxiety and depression
- Wrongful death
How to File a Commercial Truck Accident Lawsuit
Filing a lawsuit for your commercial truck accident injuries may be complicated and even unsuccessful if you lack the expertise. The insurance company will do everything it can to determine fault on your part and discredit your suit or pay the bare minimum. So, you need a lawyer with experience to build a strong case and fight for maximum compensation for your injuries.
Get a Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer for a Successful Petition
If you or your loved one has been involved in a commercial truck accident, the first thing you should do after seeking treatment is to contact a lawyer. A qualified attorney will be better positioned to investigate your injuries and estimate the damages to ask for. More importantly, they will give your case the best shot at success.
