A huge mistake you could make following an accident with a commercial truck is treating it like any other car accident. There are major differences between the two accident types and you could miss out on damages you are entitled to if you do not view your case with this in mind. If you were in an accident with a truck driver, here is what you need to know.
Why Are They Different?
There are several major differences between accidents involving commercial trucks and regular car accidents, but the biggest is how the trucking company handles its investigation. After the accident, a team of investigators will not only visit the site of the accident but also attempt to interview you and any witnesses. The investigators will start immediately working on collecting evidence that is needed to defend the trucking company against your claims.
Another difference is in the fact that every single aspect of trucking is regulated by the state and federal. When you are involved in a car accident with another car, there are only a few local and state laws to consider. In a truck driving accident, there could be dozens of rules and regulations to review to determine how the case is played out.
What Does This Mean for You?
All of this could mean that if you are not properly prepared, the trucking company could minimize the compensation you are entitled to. For instance, the trucking company will review the evidence it has collected to determine which party is at fault. If the trucker caused the accident, the company could choose to alter the evidence to reflect a different version of events.
The insurance company could also try to settle your case with a lowball offer. If you are not familiar with the rules and regulations, you could have trouble determining whether or not the trucking company violated them. Violations can often result in punitive damages being awarded.
The trucking company knows this. To prevent you from discovering the whole truth and to keep the case out of court, the company might try to quickly settle your case for far less than it is worth.
The best way to protect yourself from being cheated by the trucking company is to work with an experienced truck accident attorney. The lawyer will know the rules and regulations of the trucking industry and can help you prepare a case that will ensure you are rightfully compensated.
Share7 April 2017
Hello, my name is Matthew. Welcome to my site. I am here to talk to you about accident and personal injury attorneys. When I was involved in a serious accident, I had to recover for months in the hospital. My finances suffered due to mounting medical bills and lost wages. I dealt with considerable pain through every phase of the healing process. I worked with an accident and personal injury attorney to obtain compensation for the repercussions of the accident. I created this site to help others find an attorney to work with so they too could acquire compensation following an accident.