Are accidents involving trucks more complicated than others?
On behalf of Foster & Mazzie LLC posted in truck accidents on Thursday, May 17, 2018.
Any type of motor vehicle accident has the potential to be devastating and complicated. However, if a crash involves a commercial vehicle, like a massive tractor-trailer, then it can be especially serious because of how big and heavy the vehicles are.
Not only are injuries in truck accidents typically life-threatening or fatal, but the claims themselves can be more complex. Below, we explain why.
In accidents with another passenger vehicle, typically you may only deal with the driver and his or her insurance company. When it is a commercial truck accident, as noted in this article, you could also be dealing with trucking companies, employers, manufacturers and contractors. Not only can this complicate liability issues, it can also be more intimidating for individuals.
Regular drivers typically don't understand truck regulations. They don't know about loading requirements, inspection guidelines, employment practices and trucking laws with which truckers and truck companies must comply. Without this knowledge, it can be difficult to accurately assess the legal options.
The stakes of a truck crash claim are quite high, and those on the side of the trucker and the trucking company know this. There could be massive economic and non-economic damages when the victims are seriously injured or killed, and there is the potential for punitive damages in cases where a liable party's conduct is especially egregious. Further, trucking companies typically have more financial resources than individuals, which means victims could be in a position to collect higher awards than if the other party was an individual motorist.
With all this in mind, we urge truck accident victims and their families to take seriously their option to consult an attorney after a crash. It can be tempting to accept a settlement right away to put the event behind you, but this could be a costly mistake. Instead, take the time to learn about your rights and the compensation for which you may be eligible.