Because of the size of larger tractor trailers and similar trucks, many accidents involving trucks will result in some type of injury.
If the truck driver was at fault for your injury, you should heavily consider all of your legal options. Personal injury claims involving truck accidents differ slightly from those pertaining to standard car accidents, which is why it’s essential that you understand what to do following a truck accident.
Common Injuries in Truck Accidents
When you’re involved in a truck accident, it’s likely that you will have been injured in some way. These injuries aren’t always readily apparent, which is why you should seek medical attention in every situation involving a truck accident. Injuries to the back, neck, and head are particularly common. A common neck injury is whiplash, which results from the rapid back and forth movement of the neck. While whiplash doesn’t always call for medical treatment, the symptoms of this injury can be delayed, which is why medical treatment should still be sought. A few other injuries that are common and will be covered by personal injury claims include broken bones, lacerations, and seat belt injuries.
Proving Liability For a Truck Accident
When you’re injured in a truck accident that was the fault of another driver, it’s important that you’re able to prove liability when you file a claim or lawsuit against this driver. If a police report was made after the accident took place, this report should provide you with all of the information you need to prove liability. You should also obtain witness statements if anyone saw the accident. These statements can be invaluable when you’re attempting to prove that the other driver was at fault.
Possible Compensation
There are a wide range of different types of compensation that can be obtained when you file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. With a standard insurance claim, the main forms of compensation that you’ll likely receive if the other driver was at fault include compensation for your medical bills, any lost wages as you’re recovering from the injury, the pain and suffering that you’ve endured, and repairs for your vehicle. The compensation that you can receive from a personal injury lawsuit can sometimes extend past these basic forms of compensation and might also include punitive damages depending on how reckless the driver was.
How Truck Accidents Claims Differ From Standard Car Accidents
When it comes to truck accidents, it’s oftentimes recommended to file a personal injury lawsuit instead of an insurance claim because of additional standards that truck drivers are held to. For one, the negligent driver of the truck may have violated a federal regulation before the accident occurred, which comes with heavy penalties and can automatically prove fault when you file a lawsuit. It’s also possible to sue the trucking company if they knowingly hired a problematic driver or have failed to properly supervise the drivers that they are supposed to manage. A lawyer can help you identify which legal options would be best for your case.
