What Makes Truck Accident Claims Different?

Any type of traffic accident can cause serious injuries and disastrous results. Large commercial truck accidents, however, are in a class of their own. The sheer size and weight of tractor-trailers and other heavy trucks make a collision extremely dangerous for passenger vehicle occupants.

In addition to the severity of the injuries they cause, large truck crashes present unique challenges for injured victims and survivors as they pursue compensation for their losses. Truck accident claims are often more complex than regular car accident claims.

If you have suffered serious or catastrophic injuries or lost a loved one in an accident caused by a truck driver’s negligence, it is important to consult with an experienced Dallas truck accident attorney as soon as possible – and before you talk to insurance adjusters or sign any documents.

The proven accident lawyers at Kraft & Associates, P.C., have handled all types of truck accident claims. Let us advise you of your rights. We’re an established and professional law firm with friendly lawyers and staff who are easy to talk to. Please call us at (214) 999-9999 or contact us online for a free claim review.

How Commercial Truck Accidents Differ from Car Accidents

Our firm believes that negligent truck drivers and trucking companies should be held accountable for the damage they cause to motorists on the roadways, and that victims are entitled to pursue compensation for the injuries and losses they have suffered.

Victims should be aware of the following differences between commercial truck accident claims and car accident claims:

• The stakes are often higher in truck accident claims. Truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries or death for passenger vehicle occupants. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 3,964 people died in traffic collisions involving large trucks in a single recent year, and 71 percent of those fatalities were occupants of the other vehicles. Trucking companies and their insurers will fight hard against claims for the level of damages involved in death or catastrophic injury cases.

• Commercial truck drivers and trucking companies are regulated by federal agencies. The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) was established on January 1, 2000, pursuant to the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999. This agency’s primary purpose is the prevention of injuries and fatalities from commercial motor vehicle-related traffic accidents. Truck drivers, trucking companies, cargo handlers and others are subject to FMCSA’s regulations, and violations can have a bearing on civil claims over injuries in accidents.

• Multiple parties may be liable for truck accident injuries. In car accident claims, the liable party is generally the driver whose negligence caused the accident. In commercial motor vehicle accidents, a number of different parties may be liable. Possible defendants may include: the driver, the truck’s owner, the trailer’s owner, the party leasing the truck or trailer from the owner, the truck manufacturer, parts manufacturers, a vehicle repair shop, shipping companies and more. Multiple responsible parties provide more sources of compensation for victims. However, this also means more insurance companies, more lawyers and more large companies fighting the claim.

Legal Help for Truck Accident Victims and Survivors in Texas

If you are pursing compensation in a commercial motor vehicle accident, it is vital to be represented by a firm that is experienced and knowledgeable about these types of complex claims. You will likely be up against large companies and their teams of attorneys hired for the purpose of minimizing the amounts that these companies pay out on your claim.

Our firm has handled all types of commercial truck accidents, including ones that involved 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, delivery vans, box trucks, dump trucks and other heavy trucks. Over our decades of legal experience, we have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients.

Take advantage of a free case evaluation and contact our firm today. Whether it is accomplished through settlement negotiations, mediation, arbitration or trial, we are committed to helping you recover the maximum compensation you deserve.

Sources:

• NHTSA: Quick Facts 2013
• FMCSA: About Us