Several factors complicate truck accident claims, making the need for experienced legal representation all the more critical for victims. For example, it takes longer than a standard car crash case to settle truck accidents due to the complexities involved in establishing liability and assessing damages. Additionally, insurance considerations play a role. Trucking companies typically carry much larger insurance policies than regular motorists, so they are more likely to fight hard against claims.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Determining liability in a truck accident can be more difficult than a car crash because there are often multiple parties that could potentially be responsible, including the driver, trucking company, and manufacturers of faulty equipment. A skilled Staten Island truck accident lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation and identify all responsible parties.
Driver Error: The most common cause of truck accidents is driver error. This can include speeding, distracted driving, fatigued driving, reckless driving, and even driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Other reasons for truck accidents may include improper training, faulty vehicle maintenance, and failure to properly load or secure cargo.
Weather-Related Issues: Truck drivers must adjust their driving to account for inclement weather. If they don’t, they can easily lose control of their trucks and seriously injure victims.
Other Drivers or Passengers: In cases involving multiple truck accident victims, it is important to establish comparative fault. This is because the percentage of fault will determine how much a victim can recover. A skilled attorney will work with expert witnesses such as accident reconstructionist specialists, medical professionals, economists, and vocational rehabilitation specialists to strengthen your claim by presenting compelling evidence.
Damages: An experienced Skilled truck accident lawyer fighting for victims attorney can help you pursue maximum compensation for your economic and non-economic losses. This can include lost wages, medical expenses, physical and emotional pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and more. They can also help you seek punitive damages for reckless or egregious behavior that contributed to the collision.
An experienced truck accident attorney will also be able to negotiate with insurance companies and other relevant parties on your behalf to ensure you receive fair compensation for all of your losses. They will also assist with other legal aspects of the case, such as filing a lawsuit, collecting and preserving evidence, and submitting a demand for compensation. They will also help you find appropriate coping strategies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), to manage the psychological trauma associated with a traumatic event like a truck accident. They will provide effective, consistent communication throughout the process.