Trucks are crucial to supply chains, but they also pose a danger to smaller vehicles. It’s for this reason that truck drivers undergo rigorous training and assessment in acquiring a commercial driver’s license.
Part of their duty is keeping themselves, the trucks they’re driving, and everyone else safe on the road. Despite the presence of safety standards, truck accidents can still occur. In 2019 alone, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported more than 4,119 truck-related fatalities. At least 67% of these fatalities were occupants of passenger vehicles but only 16% were the truck drivers themselves.
Many of these accidents are caused by negligence on the part of the truck driver, but there are instances when drivers of smaller cars are blamed. Unsafe driving practices can often result in collisions that even experienced truck drivers can’t avoid.
You are well within your right to sue a truck driver in the aftermath of a collision. If you are injured or traumatized by the accident, you need to come up with a strong truck accident case that will properly compensate you for the suffering you went through and will go through.
In this guide, we will look into the steps and approaches that will help you recover from a truck accident and secure your health and well-being.
Gathering evidence is critical to launching a truck accident case. In order to boost your chances of success, you must take as many details as you can immediately after the collision.
Before doing so, make sure to check if you are okay and if anyone on the scene requires immediate aid. If you are in an isolated area, consider calling the nearest police station or asking for help from other motorists who are passing by.
Once everyone’s injuries are taken into account and first responders are on their way, consider taking photographs of the damages. Be sure not to move the vehicles and other items around before taking pictures. That way, investigators will have a more accurate understanding of what happened.
In addition to taking pictures, you should also reach out to witnesses on the scene. Statements from pedestrians and other motorists can add substance to your complaint. You may also have to approach the truck driver and get their side.
If you were involved in a truck accident, you would be fortunate if you came out of it with minor bruises and lacerations. Then again, even the smallest injuries can grow worse over time. Getting treated immediately moments after the accident can strengthen your case.
Injuries can cause scars and lead to chronic pain and soreness, so it’s important to monitor your condition and find out if you need long-term care. In addition, documenting minor injuries can help determine the extent of the physical damages you have sustained.
You will also need to acknowledge the psychological effects of the accident. In a serious highway accident, victims are often left traumatized and anxious. The emotional distress that follows the accident can affect your performance at work and disrupt the way you live your life.
Even if you have had your immediate injuries treated, you still need to monitor what you are feeling. Keep a journal and write down any pain or complications you are experiencing. It’s also important to visit your doctor for a follow-up check-up. Make sure to keep receipts and test results which can be integral to the success of your case.
If you are intent on pushing through with a truck accident case, hiring an injury lawyer like State Law Group should help you structure the facts and walk you through the process. With their expertise, your lawyer can give you the compensation you deserve.
For instance, you may have to reach out to the driver’s employer and request access to the truck’s black box. Similar to a black box in a passenger plane, the black box contains essential information such as the speed of the truck at the time of the accident. It also contains information on whether the truck driver was wearing a seatbelt and whether the tires were at the right pressure.
In order to access these details, your lawyer can obtain a court order and compel the trucking company to submit the black box data as evidence. That way, you will be able to show if the truck driver wasn’t following safety standards and procedures while operating the vehicle.
Your lawyer can also hold the trucking company liable for damages should there be evidence of negligence in hiring the truck or maintaining the vehicle. A seasoned truck accident lawyer can keep your best interests in mind throughout the experience.
When it comes down to getting compensated, you will have to take financial and non-financial damages into account. Calculating what you have lost or suffered due to the accident will secure you from any future hardship.
In addition to hospital bills and medication, you should also consider the damages to your vehicle as well as potential income losses if you were disabled as a result of the accident. Non-financial damages are psychological in nature. If you ever experience nightmares or panic attacks, you will want to factor these in your case.
Punitive damages would be in order if gross negligence is established. It’s important that you work closely with your attorney and come up with an amount you are entitled to. By mentioning both the economic and non-economic effects of the collision, you can justify the amount you want to win from the case.
If you were involved in a truck accident, you want to get the most out of your case by getting the compensation that covers the hardship you have had to endure. Consider these tips so you can recover and move on with your life.
