8 Tips For Boosting Your Semi Truck Settlement Game
How to File a Successful Semi Truck Accident Claim
The trucking industry must maintain minimum liability insurance policies to compensate victims of accidents. But that's not enough.
A successful NYC semi truck accident claim will include a variety of types of damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Let's take a closer look at each of these categories.
Damages
Semi-truck accidents can be terrifying because these vehicles are huge and intimidating. They can cause severe injuries and life-altering damages. Victims might be able to get compensation for their losses from the trucking company, or their insurance provider.
The three most common kinds of damages in the aftermath of a semi-crash include future and past medical costs, lost wages and pain and suffering. The total amount of damages could vary depending on the severity of injuries and the capability of the victim to document their losses. An attorney for truck accidents can help victims document their losses and ensure they get the maximum amount of damages they are entitled to.
A victim could also be entitled to punitive damages. These are intended to penalize the defendant and discourage similar conduct in the future. These are usually only awarded when the truck driver was guilty of gross negligence or reckless.
The reasons that can lead to a semi crash include faulty maintenance, fatigue of the driver, and driver impairment or distraction. Other causes for these crashes are weather conditions, lack of proper truck training, and the driver's past drinking or using drugs. A third-party motorist who violates traffic laws could also trigger an accident with a semi, especially when the driver is impaired or distracted.
There are a variety of types of crashes that can involve semi-trucks, including rear-end collisions, side impact collisions, and underride accidents. Rear end collisions are particularly fatal because the truck may strike a car from behind with huge force. This could crush the front of the passenger vehicle and send it flying into the back of the truck trailer. The resultant wreck is almost always fatal.
The weight and size of a semi truck accident law firm-truck can make side-impact collisions extremely dangerous. They have a large blind spot, and it's hard for drivers to see other cars in their lane. If a driver turns the direction of a semi the trucker can't brake or swerve fast enough to avoid collision.
Medical bills
A minor collision with a semi-truck can cause significant damage to your vehicle and serious injuries to you. There is a chance that you will be liable for medical bills that fall in the six figures or greater range. This kind of damage is a vital part of your claim, and a skilled truck accident lawyer will work to ensure that it is properly and accurately accounted for in your settlement.
Your attorney will carefully review your medical bills and records to determine the full extent your injuries. This is vital for calculating your damages. They will also consider any future medical expenses you may have and any other expenses related to the injury, such as property damage and loss of work.
Your attorneys will also work to hold the responsible parties accountable for your losses. In addition to the driver of the truck, they may be able to hold the company that employs them accountable under the theory of vicarious liability. The trucking company could be held responsible if it was aware or ought to be aware that the trucker was not capable of safely driving due to prior alcohol or drug-related offenses or violations of federal regulations.
It can result in devastating accidents if a large truck driver is driving under impaired by alcohol or drugs or is exhausted because they have exceeded the federally-mandated limit on the amount of hours a day they are allowed to drive. This is why the trucking industry needs to be held to a high standard when it comes to enforce safety rules and ensuring adequate training to drivers.
Wrongful death claims are another possibility of damages that may be awarded after a collision that involves a large commercial vehicle. These awards can cover funeral expenses, lost income and benefits derived from the deceased's job or loss of companionship mental anxiety, pain and suffering and other economic losses.
Lastly, your attorney will help you recover punitive damages that punish the responsible party and deter them from repeating similar actions in the future. These aren't often awarded, however your lawyer can argue for them if there's evident evidence that the truck driver was acting recklessly or in a way that was negligent in causing the crash and resulting injuries.
Lost wages
Commercial trucks are heavier than other motor vehicles since they transport massive cargo. Accidents involving semis are much more likely to be serious and produce major injuries. This makes it even imperative to seek immediate medical attention after a crash caused by a truck, and to speak with an experienced NYC semi-truck accident attorney as soon as possible.
The victims of semi-crash can rack up substantial medical bills, and in many cases, require ongoing treatment for their injuries, possibly lasting for the duration of their lives. Medical expenses are a factor in a claim's final compensation award. Additionally, since many truck accidents are devastating and victims may be forced to miss work for long durations. This could result in loss of wages, which are included in settlements.
A reputable personal injury lawyer will look over all of your financial losses which include medical bills, property damage and lost wages, and estimate the total amount you should receive. Non-economic damages are difficult to quantify, and can include things like pain, suffering and the loss of enjoyment in your life.
For instance, the brutal nature of a semi-truck collision can leave a victim with lasting psychological damage that can be extremely costly to repair. Anxiety and fear related to truck accidents could lead to PTSD. This could cause mental and physical ailments in the victim.
A settlement for a truck accident can cover a wide range of expenses but it is essential to consult with a seasoned lawyer immediately. A knowledgeable attorney will collect important evidence and negotiate on behalf of insurance companies to secure the amount you are due. Contact an NYC semi truck accident lawyer today for more information about filing a claim for compensation after an accident with semi. The earlier you file a claim, the more your odds of a successful outcome be. This includes obtaining access to crucial evidence, such witness statements and trucker logs which are vital to build an evidence-based case.
Pain and suffering
Being involved in a truck accident is a frightening experience. The crashes can cause significant injuries and property damage and the effects of these injuries are usually longer-lasting than the ones suffered by car passengers. Victims of injuries often face substantial financial loss due to medical expenses and lost wages, as well as other losses that may be difficult to quantify like pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment.
If you are pursuing a claim for damages following a truck accident it is essential to document all of the above-mentioned expenses and losses as they occur. This will help you to ensure that all of your losses are protected. It is crucial to know the impact your injury will have on your life over the long-term. This is why it's a good idea to hire an attorney to represent you in your case.
A NYC semi truck accident lawyer who has experience can ensure that your losses are covered in the compensation claim against the person at fault. Our attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation, collaborate with top experts and calculate the damages you are entitled to. Whether your injuries are mild or severe we will do all we can to secure the highest amount of damages.
Seeking medical attention immediately after the accident is the initial step in determining the extent of your losses. When your injuries have stabilized, it is a good idea to capture photos and videos of the scene of the accident, both from close range and from an extended distance. If you can, try to capture skid marks, road conditions, and other evidence that could assist in proving your claim. Also, be sure you get contact details from any witnesses and obtain their statements for your claim.
The parties responsible in a truck crash could be accountable for more than one person. For instance, a driver who is suffering from fatigue or exhaustion may be held liable by the trucking company who employs them. A trucking company might also be held responsible for hiring a driver who is unsafe or for not monitoring the safety record of the driver, drug testing, and driving records.