Hiring a lawyer after an 18-wheeler accident can help protect your rights, investigate the crash, identify responsible parties, and pursue fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Truck accidents are often more complicated than ordinary car crashes because they can involve commercial trucking companies, multiple insurance policies, federal safety regulations, and extensive evidence.
The injuries can also be severe because of the size and weight difference between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles. Knowing what to do after an 18-wheeler accident can help you protect important evidence and make informed decisions about your claim.
Truck Accident Claims Can Be Complicated
An 18-wheeler accident may involve more than the truck driver. The trucking company, vehicle owner, maintenance provider, cargo loader, manufacturer, or another party could potentially share responsibility depending on the circumstances.
Determining who is legally responsible requires a careful review of the evidence. A lawyer can investigate the accident and identify all potentially liable parties.
Preserving Important Evidence
Truck accident evidence can be particularly important because commercial vehicles may have electronic records, inspection documents, driver logs, maintenance records, and other information.
An attorney can take steps to preserve relevant evidence before it is lost or destroyed. Accident photographs, witness statements, surveillance footage, vehicle data, and trucking records may all help establish what happened.
Investigating Driver Conduct
Driver behavior is often an important part of a truck accident investigation. Speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, fatigue, or violations of trucking regulations can contribute to serious crashes.
Federal regulations address commercial driver requirements and hours of service. For example, 49 C.F.R. § 395.3 establishes limits on driving time and requires drivers to take specified off-duty periods to help prevent fatigue-related crashes.
A lawyer can examine available records to determine whether fatigue or another regulatory violation may have contributed to the accident.
Understanding Multiple Insurance Policies
Commercial trucking accidents can involve substantial insurance coverage. There may be separate policies covering the truck, driver, trucking company, cargo, or other parties.
Insurance companies may begin investigating soon after the collision. Having legal representation can help ensure that communications and settlement discussions are handled carefully.
Calculating Your Full Losses
The financial impact of an 18-wheeler crash can extend far beyond immediate medical expenses. Depending on the circumstances, a claim may involve:
- Emergency and ongoing medical treatment
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Vehicle damage
- Pain and suffering
- Long-term disability
- Other accident-related costs
A lawyer can review the available evidence and help determine which losses may be recoverable.
Dealing With Serious Injuries
The size and weight of an 18-wheeler can result in devastating injuries during a collision. Victims may experience fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal injuries, or permanent disabilities.
Serious injuries may require months or years of treatment. It is important to understand the potential long-term effects before accepting a settlement.
Determining Whether a Trucking Company Is Responsible
A trucking company may potentially be responsible for an employee’s conduct under applicable legal principles. There may also be separate issues involving hiring, training, supervision, maintenance, or compliance with safety requirements.
A detailed investigation can help determine whether the company or another entity contributed to the crash.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies may attempt to resolve claims quickly. An early settlement may seem appealing when medical bills and other expenses are piling up, but accepting an offer can affect your ability to seek additional compensation later.
A lawyer can review settlement offers and negotiate based on the evidence and the full extent of your losses.
Preparing for Litigation
Not every truck accident claim goes to trial. However, preparing a case carefully from the beginning can put you in a stronger position if negotiations fail.
An attorney can gather evidence, identify witnesses, consult appropriate experts, and prepare the legal arguments needed to pursue the claim.
Key Takeaways
- 18-wheeler accidents can involve multiple responsible parties.
- Trucking records and electronic data may provide important evidence.
- Federal regulations address commercial driver safety and hours of service.
- Serious injuries can create significant current and future expenses.
- Commercial accidents may involve multiple insurance policies.
- A lawyer can investigate the crash and calculate potential losses.
- Legal representation can help with insurance negotiations and potential litigation.
