Big trucks are a common sight on roads and highways. When these massive vehicles crash, the results can be very serious.
Figuring out who’s responsible for a truck accident isn’t always easy. That’s why it’s smart to talk to a truck accident lawyer if you’ve suffered an injury in a crash with a big rig. They know the laws about trucks and will explain your options.
Getting Medical Help After a Truck Crash
If you’ve been in an accident with a truck, your health comes first. See a doctor right away, even if you feel okay. Some injuries don’t show up right away. A doctor can check you out and make sure you’re alright. They’ll also keep records of your injuries, which can be very helpful later on.
Don’t try to tough it out if you’re hurting. Some people worry about medical bills, but your health is worth more than money. If someone else caused the accident, they might have to pay for your care. A truck accident attorney can explain how that works.
When to Call a Lawyer
It’s a good idea to talk to a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after a crash. The sooner you call, the sooner they can start helping you. They can tell you what to do next and what not to do. They’ll also ensure you don’t miss any important deadlines for filing claims.
An attorney can talk to the truck company and their insurance people for you. This lets you focus on improving instead of dealing with confusing paperwork and phone calls. They know all the tricks insurance companies might use to pay you less than you deserve.
Remember, most truck accident lawyers will talk to you for free at first. You don’t have to hire them right away. But it’s smart to at least hear what they have to say about your case.
Understanding Truck Accidents
Truck accidents are different from regular car crashes in many ways. For one thing, trucks are much bigger and heavier than cars. This means they can cause a lot more damage when they hit something. They also take longer to stop and are harder to steer in an emergency.
Another big difference is that big companies often own trucks. These companies have teams of lawyers and lots of money to fight claims. That’s why having a lawyer on your side is so important. A truck accident lawyer can stand up to these big companies and fight for what you deserve.
Causes of Truck Accidents
There are many reasons why truck accidents happen. Sometimes, it’s because the driver made a mistake. They might have been tired, not paying attention, or driving too fast. Other times, it’s because something was wrong with the truck itself. Maybe the brakes were bad, or a tire blew out.
In some cases, the company that owns the truck is to blame. They might have pushed the driver to drive for too long without rest. Or they might not have fixed problems with the truck when they should have.
Weather can also contribute to truck crashes. Rain, snow, and ice make it harder for any vehicle to stop quickly, but it’s especially hard for big trucks. Strong winds can blow a truck over if it’s not loaded properly.
Knowing what caused the accident is important for figuring out who’s responsible. That’s one of the things a truck accident attorney will look into for you.
FMCSA Rules for Truck Safety
The government has rules to try to keep trucks safe on the road. These rules come from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or FMCSA.
These rules cover a wide range of topics. They specify how long a driver can work before taking a break, the maximum load a truck can carry, and how to secure and tie down the cargo. Rules also specify how often trucks must undergo checks for problems.
A truck company or driver breaking these rules can cause accidents. If that happens, they might be responsible for any injuries or damage. A good truck accident lawyer will know how to prove if someone broke these rules in your case.
Drug and Alcohol Testing for Truck Drivers
Truck drivers have to follow strict rules about drugs and alcohol. They’re not allowed to drink any alcohol within 4 hours of driving a truck. They also can’t use any drugs that might make it unsafe for them to drive.
To ensure drivers follow these rules, they sometimes must take drug and alcohol tests. They might undergo testing before hiring, after an accident, or randomly. If drivers fail one of these tests, they cannot drive.
If the driver who hit you was using drugs or alcohol, that’s a big deal. It means they broke the law and put everyone in danger. A truck accident lawyer can investigate whether the driver underwent testing after the crash and reveal the results.
Medical Requirements for Truck Drivers
Truck drivers need to be healthy enough to safely drive big rigs. The FMCSA has rules about this, too. Drivers must pass a medical exam every two years to keep their license. The exam checks things like their vision, hearing, and blood pressure.
Some health problems can make it unsafe for someone to drive a truck. For example, if a driver has diabetes or heart problems, they might not be allowed to drive. They can be held responsible if they drive anyway and cause an accident.
A truck accident attorney can look into the driver’s medical history. They can find out if the driver should have been on the road in the first place. This information can be really important for your case.
Hours of Service Rules
Driving a truck for too long without rest is dangerous. That’s why there are rules about how many hours a truck driver can work, called “hours of service.”
For example, truck drivers can only drive for 11 hours at a time. After that, they have to take a 10-hour break. There are also rules about how many hours they can work weekly.
Truck companies are supposed to keep records of their drivers’ hours. But sometimes, they cheat. They might pressure drivers to work longer than they should. Or they might falsify records to make it look like the drivers are following the rules when they’re not.
If a tired driver caused your accident, the company might be responsible. A truck accident lawyer can obtain the records and prove whether someone violated the hours of service rules.
Who Might Be Responsible for a Truck Accident?
Figuring out who’s responsible for a truck accident can be difficult. More than one person or company often played a part in what happened. A truck accident lawyer can help sort it all out. Here are some of the people or companies that might be responsible:
The Truck Driver
Sometimes, the crash is the truck driver’s fault. Maybe they were driving too fast, not paying attention, or breaking traffic laws. If they were drinking or using drugs, that’s their fault, too. A truck accident attorney can look at the police report and other evidence to see if the driver did something wrong.
The Trucking Company
The company that owns the truck or employs the driver might be responsible, too. They’re supposed to ensure that their trucks are safe and their drivers are well-trained. If they didn’t do these things, they might be to blame for the accident.
Sometimes, companies push their drivers to break rules to save time or money. They might tell drivers to skip rest breaks or drive faster than they should. The company can be in big trouble if this leads to your accident.
The Truck Manufacturer
If something was wrong with the truck, the company that made it might be responsible. For example, if the brakes were designed badly and caused the crash, the manufacturer might have to pay for the damage.
The same goes for companies that make truck parts. If a tire blew out due to poor manufacturing, the tire company might be to blame.
The Cargo Loading Company
Sometimes, a different company loads the cargo onto the truck. They might be responsible if they didn’t do it right, and that caused the accident. A truck accident lawyer can determine who loaded the truck and if they followed all the rules.
The Government
Sometimes, the government might be partly responsible for a truck accident. This can happen if the road is in bad shape and contributes to the crash, or if traffic signs or signals do not work properly.
It’s not easy to sue the government, but sometimes it’s necessary. A truck accident lawyer will know if this applies to your case and how to proceed.
Other Drivers
Sometimes, other drivers on the road play a part in causing truck accidents. Maybe someone cut off the truck, forcing the driver to swerve. Or maybe another car was driving in the truck’s blind spot.
Even if another car caused the truck to crash into you, you can get help from the truck’s insurance. A truck accident attorney can explain how this works.
Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck accident cases can be very complicated. Often, many people are involved, with lots of evidence to gather and tricky laws to understand. That’s why it’s so important to have a truck accident lawyer on your side.
A good attorney will know exactly what to do after a truck accident. They’ll start by carefully looking at all the details of what happened. They’ll get police reports, talk to witnesses, and look at crash scene pictures. They might even bring professionals to recreate the accident and determine what happened.
Your lawyer will also handle all the talks with insurance companies. These companies often try to pay as little as they can. They might offer you a quick settlement that sounds good but is much less than you deserve. A truck accident lawyer knows all their tricks and won’t let them take advantage of you.
If your case goes to court, you’ll be glad you have a lawyer. They know how to present your case in a way that makes sense to a judge and jury. They can explain complicated truck laws in a way that shows why you deserve help.
Remember, the truck company will have lawyers working for them. You need someone just as smart and experienced on your side. That’s what a truck accident lawyer does for you.
What a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Do for You
When you hire a truck accident lawyer, they’ll take care of your claim so you can focus on getting better. Here are some of the things they’ll do:
Investigate the Accident
Your lawyer will dig deep to find out exactly what happened. They’ll look at the truck’s maintenance records, the driver’s history, and the company’s safety record. They’ll actively check whether someone broke any laws or safety rules.
This investigation can turn up important information. Maybe the driver had a history of speeding tickets. Or maybe the company hadn’t fixed a known problem with the truck. These details can make a big difference in your case.
Talk to the Insurance Companies
Dealing with insurance companies can be frustrating. They might try to get you to say things that hurt your case. Or they might offer you less money than you need. Your lawyer will handle all these talks for you. They know what to say and what not to say to protect your rights.
Figure Out How Much Help You Need
Knowing how much money you should ask for after an accident is difficult. You must consider your medical bills, both now and in the future. You also need to consider lost income if you can’t work. And don’t forget about the pain and suffering you’ve gone through.
A truck accident lawyer knows how to add all this up. They can even bring in professionals to determine how the accident will affect you in the long run. This helps ensure you ask for enough money to cover all your needs.
Negotiate a Fair Settlement
Most truck accident cases settle out of court rather than going to trial. Your lawyer will negotiate with the truck company and their insurance to get you a fair deal. They know the typical settlement amounts for similar cases and will ensure you receive a fair deal.
If the other side won’t offer a fair settlement, your lawyer will be ready to take your case to court. Sometimes, just knowing you’re willing to go to trial can make the other side offer more money.
Represent You in Court
If your case does go to trial, your truck accident lawyer will be there every step of the way. They’ll present your case to the judge and jury, question witnesses, and argue for your rights. Having a skilled lawyer can make a huge difference in how your trial turns out.
Get Help from a Truck Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve suffered an injury in a crash with a big truck, don’t wait to get help. A truck accident lawyer can protect your rights and fight for what you deserve. They know all about truck laws and how to stand up to big companies.
Talking to a lawyer doesn’t mean you must go to court. Often, having a lawyer on your side can secure a fair deal without going to trial. And most truck accident lawyers will talk to you for free at first, so you have nothing to lose.
Don’t try to handle a truck accident case on your own. These cases are too complicated and too important. Call a personal injury lawyer today and get the support you need to move forward.
