Maximizing Compensation in Trucking Accident Claims: The Nationwide Advantage

Commercial trucks are large, heavy vehicles weighing up to 80,000 pounds when they are fully loaded with cargo and materials. The sheer size and weight of these trucks can lead to a massive collision. With the average passenger vehicle weighing between 3,000 and 5,000 pounds, it is easy to see how individuals are likely to suffer serious injuries in a truck accident.

When you or a loved one have been injured in a commercial truck crash, you could be entitled to compensation. Due to the likelihood of severe injuries, it is important to obtain the maximum possible compensation. You should not be left financially responsible for an accident that was not your fault.

Having tough and aggressive representation is the key to receiving the full value of your claim. An inexperienced law firm will fall short when it comes to protecting you and your legal rights. When you have been affected by a commercial vehicle accident, you should seek a skilled nationwide law firm and truck accident lawyer who can effectively advocate for your rights.

Causes of Truck Accidents

There are about 5,000 reported accidents involving commercial vehicles each year in the United States. While not all of these accidents will result in injuries, many of them will. Victims who have been hurt in truck crashes can suffer catastrophic injuries, including broken bones, head trauma, neck and spinal cord injuries, scarring, disfigurement, and death.

When investigating a crash, authorities will first determine how the accident took place. In some instances, the truck driver may have caused the accident. Some of the most common causes of commercial truck accidents are:

• Impairment
• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving or driver fatigue
• Driving too fast for the weather conditions
• Improper turns or lane changes
• Failure to maintain a proper lookout for other traffic
• Cargo shifting
• Faulty mechanical or electrical equipment

Determining causation and fault are two of the most important concepts of a truck accident claim. Under the laws of almost every state, victims may be entitled to receive compensation if the truck driver was more than 50% at fault for the collision. The exact amount of recovery depends upon many factors that can be assessed by a qualified lawyer.

The Value of Your Truck Accident Claim

Knowing the value of your claim is important. Injured victims know that they have been hurt and that their life has been seriously affected by the crash. What they often do not know, however, is the true financial value of their case.

The value of your case determines how to approach the claim. A national truck accident lawyer will look at various aspects of your case, including the amount of your medical bills, the nature of your injuries, the affect of the crash on your overall well-being, and the permanency of your injuries. These and other factors can help determine how much your case might be worth to a jury. Upon review of your claim, your attorney can better advise as to what might be a fair or reasonable resolution.

It is worth noting that many victims often accept the minimum value for their cases. These victims do not usually have legal representation and they end up giving in to the insurance adjuster because they are not armed with important information concerning the value of their case.

Dealing with the Insurance Company

Every truck crash legal claim will be evaluated by an insurance company. People often make the mistake of assuming that the adjuster is on their side. The adjuster may act like your friend and attempt to convince you that they have your best interest in mind. Unfortunately, this is not usually the case.

Insurance companies in practice take all possible steps to delay resolution or even deny your claim. With enough frustration, victims eventually throw their hands up in the air and just accept the offer they are given without speaking to an attorney. Only later do they learn that they settled their case for far too low of an amount.

Hiring a nationwide truck accident lawyer protects you from having to deal with the insurance company at all. Your attorney will handle the full scope of negotiations and settlement demands. An attorney will be familiar with the tactics typically used by insurance companies and will be prepared to combat them. Knowing what moves the adjuster is going to make will help to decide whether to settle your case or take other steps, such a proceeding to a trial.

Accident Investigation

Proving the value of your claim often depends on the strength of the accident investigation. Insurance companies and truck drivers will usually deny liability for their actions. They may say that you were at fault and they did what they could to avoid a collision. Of course, they know that they will avoid having to pay any money if they are correct.

In many instances, an expert witness may be called upon to investigate the accident. The expert may have training in a specialized field such as mathematics, engineering, or physics. Using established methods, an expert can look into the accident and determine how it might have occurred. The expert’s report or testimony can then be used in court or in settlement negotiations in order to strengthen a claim for compensation.

Hire a National Truck Accident Attorney

When you work with a nationwide truck accident lawyer, you also have the benefit of working with a team of trained and trusted experts who can help look into your accident and assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.

When you have been injured in a truck accident, the stakes are high. You likely have serious injuries requiring extensive medical care and ongoing treatment. You simply cannot afford to risk your future with an inexperienced attorney or, worse yet, handle your case on your own.

When you work with a truck accident lawyer, you obtain the benefit of many years of experience handling truck crash cases across the nation. This experience can help maximize your compensation and ensure that the appropriate parties are held responsible for your accident.