5 Things to Know About Commercial Truck Accidents

If you've been injured in a commercial truck accident, you may be wondering how to handle your claim, or how to hold the other driver accountable for his or her actions. Fortunately, there are laws designed to protect people from these types of accidents. 

We share some important aspects to be aware of if you ever find yourself in a commercial truck wreck. 

1) The difference between a truck accident and a vehicle wreck. 

If you're involved in an accident with a commercial truck, it's important to know that the vehicles are different from personal ones. Commercial trucks are bigger and heavier than regular cars and SUVs, which means they can cause more damage when they crash into other vehicles or objects. They also have more space inside for cargo or passengers--and sometimes both! This can mean that injuries sustained in these types of accidents tend to be more severe than those sustained in car wrecks because there is simply more weight being thrown around during impact.

In addition, when two large trucks collide head-on at highway speeds (which is common), it's likely one driver will die instantly while another may suffer severe injuries such as broken bones or brain injury that requires medical attention immediately after impact occurs.

2) Injured? You may be entitled to compensation 

Handling these types of cases can be overwhelming for people who don't have experience with the law. You need to know what your rights are, what you can expect from the other driver's insurance company, and how to handle the investigation and claims process. Your first step is speaking with an attorney who has handled commercial truck accident cases before so they can help guide you through this difficult time in your life.

If you’ve been injured in the accident, you might be entitled to compensation. 

  • You can recover damages from the trucking company.

  • You can recover damages from the other driver.

  • You may also be able to recover damages from the other driver's insurance company - or even if they don't have any insurance! Trucking companies often carry their own insurance policies on behalf of their drivers (and sometimes even require them). If this is true for your accident, then there could still be money available for medical bills and loss of income through workers' compensation benefits provided by either one of these parties or both!

This all depends on the specific circumstances of your accident, but most of the time a wreck of this degree will result in compensation for the harmed party. 

3) Determining Fault 

When determining fault in a commercial truck accident, it's important to know the laws in the state you’re in. For example, if the truck driver was licensed and insured by one state but was driving through another state at the time of the accident and caused damage there, who is responsible for paying for damages?

In many cases, this can be difficult to determine because each state has its own laws regarding what constitutes negligence or fault on behalf of an individual involved in an accident. When two parties disagree about who should pay for damages after an accident occurs involving commercial vehicles such as semi trucks or large passenger buses (such as Greyhound), they may need help understanding how courts make decisions related to such matters.

4) Accountability of the driver 

It's more difficult to hold a truck driver accountable for their actions than a regular driver. Truck drivers are often held less responsible for causing accidents because they are driving commercial vehicles, which means they're operating within the parameters of their job duties. Trucking companies also have legal teams that can help defend against claims made by victims of accidents involving trucks, even if those victims were not at fault in any way. In addition, police may not always investigate thoroughly when investigating an accident involving a truck because they don't want to inconvenience the driver or cause delays in getting goods shipped out on time--which could result in fines from shipping companies or other consequences like losing customers due to late deliveries.

It's easy to assume that a trucking company has the same level of liability insurance as you or I. After all, they're just another small business--but it's not true. Trucking companies have more money than you think; they have more money because they are big and in the business of transporting goods over long distances. This means that if you're injured by one of their trucks, they can afford to pay out damages without going bankrupt or having to get rid of their fleet.

5) Expert legal help is a game changer 

You'll want to hire a qualified lawyer if you are in a truck accident. A lawyer can help you navigate the legal system, get compensation for your injuries and medical treatment, and even physical therapy. It is important that you get legal advice when you've been involved in an accident with a commercial truck.

  • You should know your rights and what to do next, as well as what you can expect from your insurance company and the trucking company.

  • Keep all of your receipts, photographs and other evidence of the incident so that it can be presented in court if necessary.

  • Your lawyer will help guide you through this process by advising them on how best to protect themselves against further injury or damage from the accident

Contact JDL Law for legal guidance! 

The trucking industry has its own network of investigators who immediately start protecting the trucking company right after an accident occurs. You should hire a qualified lawyer if you are in a truck accident and don't know what to do next because they can help guide you through this process and maximize your chances of getting compensated for your injuries.

Give us a call or text us at 210-997-2929 for a FREE consultation. We’re available 24/7!