​How Will My Family be Taken Care of in the Event of an Accident With a Truck?

​How Will My Family be Taken Care of in the Event of an Accident With a Truck? Commercial trucks serve an essential purpose but often pose a substantial risk on the road. For this reason, truck accidents are quite common, leaving victims facing life-changing injuries and financial strain. If you or a loved one have experienced a truck accident, you may be wondering what options you may have to relieve the financial stress. Whether the collision left you with serious injuries or the victim passed away, a truck accident lawyer can help get you on the path to compensation.

What Makes Truck Accidents Different?

While many assume truck accident cases are similar to any car accident case, they are not. Truck accident cases are much more complex and require the skill of a proficient truck accident lawyer.

Trucks Are Destructive

Simply looking at a commercial truck, it is easy to imagine the damage it can cause when involved in an accident. Because of a truck’s size and weight, they can cause much more catastrophic injuries and property damage. More injuries and damage, in turn, often means cases are worth more, as victims need more compensation for their losses.

The Trucking Industry Has Strict Regulations

The trucking industry is subject to tight state and federal regulations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) provides guidelines that trucking professionals must always comply with. These regulations cover many trucking topics, including:

• Driver training and commercial licensure requirements
• The number of hours drivers are allowed to drive at a time
• Record maintenance and logbooks

If someone violates a trucking regulation and this causes an accident, serious repercussions can result.

Trucks Have More Substantial Insurance Coverage

Due to their capacity for destruction, commercial trucks require more insurance. In an accident, liability insurance can cover related costs and expenses. If you’re involved in an accident with a semi-truck, it is not uncommon for insurers to push back to limit their liability and avoid paying. This can make your case more difficult to handle.

Who Is Responsible for a Truck Accident?

Determining liability is a challenge in truck accident cases. Truck collision cases are unique because more than one party can cause an accident. Responsible parties can include:

• The truck driver
• The owner of the truck
• The trucking company
• The owner of the cargo
• The party responsible for loading the cargo
• The party responsible for truck maintenance
• A truck part manufacturer

In many cases, multiple parties are simultaneously responsible for causing the collision. Certain pieces of evidence can be helpful when establishing fault, including:

• The truck’s black box
• Maintenance records
• Logbooks or other documentation
• Police reports
• Accident reconstruction
• Expert testimony

Determining liability can be tricky, but a truck accident lawyer can investigate to decipher who is responsible.

Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents occur for many reasons, sometimes quickly and without warning. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:

• Distracted driving
• Driver fatigue
• Driving under the influence
• Speeding
• Lack of driver training
• Negligent hiring
• Improperly secured cargo
• Mechanical failure
• Insufficient truck maintenance
• Dangerous weather conditions
• Road construction

It often helps to first determine what caused the collision, then whom to hold liable for it.

Injuries Resulting from Truck Accidents

Injuries from truck accidents can range in severity but often require serious medical treatment. Injuries can include:

• Burns
• Cuts and lacerations
• Fractures
• Broken bones
• Head and neck injuries
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Crush injuries

In some cases, truck accidents can result in the death of a victim.

When a Truck Accident Results in a Death?

Unfortunately, because of the gravity of truck accidents, death is common. If a victim passes away in a truck collision, it is still possible for the family to file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover compensation for the immeasurable loss. Usually, the representative of the deceased's estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit to benefit the beneficiaries. Depending on the case, you may recover:

• Medical expenses incurred before the victim’s death
• The victim’s pain and suffering
• Loss of the victim’s income or benefits
• Loss of consortium
• Funeral and burial expenses

If you've lost a loved one after a truck accident, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit for compensation. Discuss your situation with a wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible.

How Much Is My Truck Accident Claim Worth?

It is typically difficult to assign a value to a case, but it is a necessary step when pursuing compensation. How much your case is worth depends on certain factors, including:

• The type and extent of injuries
• How long it will take to fully recover
• Whether you’ll require future medical care
• How much time you miss at work
• The total amount of lost wages
• Whether you have a permanent disability or disfigurement
• The amount of property damage

You must know how much you deserve when seeking maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.

Compensation Available for Truck Accident Cases

After a truck accident, you and your family likely face troubling financial times. Not only can significant injuries keep you from working and making a living, but medical bills quickly pile up, making it feel impossible to keep your head above water. Compensation available for your truck accident will depend on the facts of your case. Damages provide financial recovery for the losses you sustain in your collision. These losses can be economic, meaning they are easily provable and given a value, or non-economic, meaning they are intangible. Damages for truck accident cases can include:

• Medical expenses
• Rehabilitation costs
• Ongoing costs for medical care
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Mental and emotional anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life

You may not know how to compute the total damages you deserve. A truck accident lawyer will calculate a fair settlement amount and actively pursue the best possible outcome for your case.

Consult a Truck Accident Lawyer

While you are not legally required to have legal representation, having a qualified lawyer on your side can yield better results for you. An attorney will know what steps to take to preserve your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one have experienced a devastating truck accident, do not hesitate to consult a truck accident attorney right away to begin working on your case.