Most significant Challenges of Trucking Accidents

 

Trucks, big rigs, 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, MAC trucks, and semi-trucks – whatever you want to call them, we see them on the roadways every day.

According to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute's Center for National Truck and Bus Statistics, Florida had the third-highest number of transportation accident fatalities in 2010, after only California and Texas.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,921 people lost their lives, and 104,000 people had severe injuries in heavy truck crashes on our country's roadways in 2012.

According to the same statistics, less than a quarter of those killed or injured in truck-versus-car collisions were passengers in the truck. That means that the vast majority of those killed or injured in these accidents were average individuals like you and me, driving around in our everyday cars.

If you or a loved one had severe injuries in a transportation accident, you might encounter numerous obstacles in filing a claim for the compensation you or they deserve.

1.     Who is responsible?

Finding out who is liable or responsible for your injuries is one of the most challenging tasks. When dealing with a transportation accident, there is a list of prospective suspects. Because driver mistakes cause most trucking accidents, the truck driver will be the first person you investigate. The list, however, does not end there.

Most of the time, the individual operating the vehicle does not own it, and the owner is equally liable for your injuries. In many cases, a firm or personal leases the truck from the owner, who then employs the driver, and they may be liable for your injuries, pain, and suffering. When an accident is due to equipment failure, the manufacturer may be held responsible.

Finally, the corporation that shipped the products in the truck may be liable for the claim. The above mentioned is just a sample of the potential players in a trucking accident; depending on the facts, there could be more.

 

2.     What caused the mishap?

The second most challenging problem in transportation accidents: determining what triggered the accident. How do you assess everyone's role in the accident once you've identified the list of people or companies that may be at fault? Again, experts can help in this situation.

Collision reconstructionists can assist in determining how the accident occurred, such as where the automobiles were, whether anyone applied the brakes, whether there is data in either vehicle that you can assess, how fast each car was driving, and so on. In addition, breaking out the sequence of events will help you figure out who is responsible for your injuries.

 

3.     The long term recovery process

It all starts on the roadways, with massive trucks providing a severe safety hazard to individuals driving passenger vehicles. The reason for this is simple: a tractor-trailer can weigh tens of thousands of pounds more than a conventional vehicle. When so much mass collides with an automobile, it may cause havoc. As a result, trucking-related collisions are among the most horrific that can happen on the road. Truck accident injuries that may occur as a result of a trucking accident include:

·         Comas

·         Internal injuries

·         Broken bones

·         Paralysis

·         Traumatic brain injuries

·         Death

These injuries can take months or even years to heal, and you may be unable to work while you recover physically. When you add in the possibility of high medical expenditures, it's clear that you'll need to pursue personal injury damages as a result of your trucking accident.

 

4.     Complicated Personal injury cases

Personal injury cases involving trucking accidents can be complicated, and they can often provide just as many obstacles as your physical rehabilitation. There are a few reasons for this, but the most important is that trucking companies stand to lose a lot of money if they have to pay out settlements or go to court because of an accident. And, because they may be held accountable in some cases, they will do everything they can to avoid paying you.

A complicated personal injury case can make getting your compensation a difficult task, as they recognize that those wounded in a trucking accident will frequently have an uphill battle due to their more extensive pool of resources and money. Insurance firms and trucking businesses may employ a variety of strategies to avoid paying you what you're owed, including:

·         Refusal to pay

·         Delaying settlement offers

·         Lowball settlement offers

·         Forcing you to sign numerous documents

·         Asking you to compile multiple documents

All in all, their strategy is simple - make you feel like you're not getting any financial restitution, and then offer you a small amount. Or outright refuse to pay and assume that you won't take further action.

 

Contact a West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer

You'll let the insurance companies and trucking firms know you're serious about recovering your reparation when you have the right team on your side. In addition, they'll realize that if they don't act appropriately, they'll have to go to court, which might cost them even more than a simple settlement.

It can still be a lengthy process, with substantial roadblocks thrown in the way as the trucking business tries to avoid paying you what you're entitled. However, your chances rise when you have a truck accident lawyer on your side.

With decades of experience in all types of personal injury cases, including trucking accident law, West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer knows how to stand up to the other side and ensure that you heal fully - both physically and financially. Get a free consultation and learn more about what we can do for you by contacting us today.