The Role of a Tractor Trailer Injury Attorney- What You Need to Know

Truck accidents involving tractor-trailers (semi-trucks or long-haul trucks) can be devastating. These vehicles are massive, often weighing up to 20 times more than passenger cars when fully loaded.

Those injured in collisions with large commercial trucks face severe, life-changing injuries. When these crashes happen, determining all liable parties becomes complex.

Liability

The negligence of truck drivers and trucking companies causes many tractor-trailer accidents. These parties often have significant insurance policies and will do everything possible to avoid paying for the injuries suffered by accident victims. Having an experienced trucking accident lawyer on your side early in the process can make all the difference.

With a lawyer, getting the compensation you need after a crash with a large truck can be more accessible. A skilled attorney familiar with trucking laws and regulations can protect your rights and fight for the maximum amount of money you are owed.

A qualified attorney can gather and review necessary evidence, such as the truck’s black box, eyewitness testimony, and police reports. Injured victims may also be able to provide their employer with statements outlining the loss of income they have suffered or paycheck stubs to prove their economic losses.

Damages

A collision involving a tractor-trailer and a passenger car might result in severe injuries due to their extreme differences in size and weight. Even if the truck driver did not cause the accident, a large commercial truck takes twice as long to stop as a standard car and can crush vehicles behind it when destroyed.

Trucks also have significant blind spots, extending backward and outward from each side of the car. When checking their rearview or side mirrors, truck drivers cannot see cars in these areas and may hit other vehicles when changing lanes.

The damages from a tractor-trailer crash can include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Your claim for these damages can be valued with our attorneys’ assistance. In addition, we can pursue punitive damages against the trucking company responsible for your accident. These are meant to punish the trucking company for its wrongdoing and discourage similar behavior in the future.

Time Limits

Legal time limits on filing a lawsuit are known as statutes of limitations. Those are just one reason why contacting an attorney as soon as possible following your collision is essential. An attorney can begin investigating the accident and gathering evidence as early as possible, including eyewitness statements that could fade with time.

In addition to witness testimony, your tractor trailer injury attorney can reach out to forensic experts in trucking equipment and maintenance and accident reconstruction specialists who can help prove your case’s case. They can also take formal depositions of the driver believed to be responsible for your accident and representatives of transportation companies involved.

Being injured in a crash with a semi-truck can be life-altering, with severe physical and financial consequences for you and your family. Skilled truck accident lawyers are committed to maximizing the monetary compensation you are entitled to.

Representation

As you recover from your injuries, your attorney can gather information for your claim, such as police reports, medical records, eyewitness accounts, video surveillance videos, and the truck driver’s event data recorder, a black box. They can also work with experts to review the evidence and determine who was responsible for your crash.

Once your lawyer has determined who is liable, they can send a demand letter to the trucking company seeking compensation for your accident injuries and other damages. They can then expertly negotiate with the trucking company’s lawyers and insurance carriers for a fair settlement offer.

Due to the size and weight of these enormous trucks, tractor-trailer accidents sometimes result in more severe injuries than typical auto accidents. They are more likely to have fatalities, more significant property damage, and higher medical bills than other crashes. A knowledgeable truck accident attorney can ensure the highest settlement possible for your injuries.