An accident case involving an 18-wheeler (semi-truck) is especially complex. This is because you’re not dealing with a private individual, but layers of corporations. From the driver, who may be incorporated, to the truck owner, to the employer of the driver, to the professional insurance company with millions on the line, there are layers and layers of complexity to deal with.
Do not try to handle a semi-truck accident on your own. They will use this complexity against you and get you to take little or nothing for your accident.
18-wheeler accidents result in higher than normal expenses.
We have all had the experience of driving on the freeway as 18-wheelers go rushing by us. These larger than life trucks take up a significant portion of the highway traffic. There are an estimated 2 million+ 18-wheelers on the roads today, each at a weight between 10,000 and 80,000 pounds. Sometimes the drivers have been on the road driving for an extended period of time.
Truck drivers may have difficulty staying awake and run into another vehicle. Other causes of 18-wheeler accidents include drunk driving, unfamiliarity with the roadway, use of over-the-counter drugs, fatigue, and traveling too fast during existing conditions. If you are the unlucky person who is the victim in an 18-wheeler accident, you may find yourself facing serious injuries and in a personal injury lawsuit with the driver and/or the trucking company that he works for.
When you are injured by an 18-wheeler, you will not only have to pay for your hospital bills, but possibly for rehabilitation and special types of medical treatment that will quickly run your medical care bill sky high. There is also the potential for you to be unable to return to work. This may be temporary or permanent, depending on your injuries. A personal injury lawyer will help you get the money you need to pay your bills so you can focus on getting well.
When an 18-Wheeler Accident Results in a Wrongful Death
The potential for a fatal accident between a passenger vehicle and an 18-wheeler is very high. The weight and speed of these trucks can cause a high impact when they hit any object. When they crash into a moving vehicle, the effect is even greater. If your loved one is killed in an 18-wheeler accident that is the fault of the truck driver, your personal injury lawyer can help you file a wrongful death claim. This will allow you to receive compensation for the loss of the victim’s salary and for the pain and suffering you have endured as a result of their death.
18-Wheeler accident case complexities
According to Fox News, there are five common tactics the truck companies use against you when you file claims in an 18-wheeler accident. These are:
- >> accusing the victim of being the negligent party
- >> trying to trick the victim into accepting a quick settlement that is a much lower amount than they can obtain by pursuing a personal injury case
- >> delaying communication with the victim and their lawyer
- >> using high-end attorneys to intimidate the victim
- Â >> hide or falsify documents that are required to prove they followed safety requirements.
Being unaware or unprepared for these strategies can make it more difficult for you to get the outcome that you have a right to. A personal injury attorney who has mastered the injury court system will know what to expect from the opposing party and how to get around their devious tactics. The representation to protect your interests is the most important decision you will have to make.
