If you were seriously injured, remember that it is crucial to choose the right law firm to represent your interests. We have been doing this for more than three decades, and have the resources you need to challenge any opponent.
Jun 23, 2022
Each year, about 4,000 people are killed, and tens of thousands more suffer severe injuries in tractor-trailer accidents. In fact, your odds of being seriously injured in an accident with a commercial truck are significantly higher than your odds of being seriously injured in a two-car collision. Having experienced truck accident attorneys on your side can be the difference between accepting a settlement that doesn’t even cover your medical expenses and receiving maximum compensation for your accident.
If you decide to sue the trucking company or other liable parties after a tractor-trailer accident, you’ll need an experienced truck accident lawyer. But why, exactly? Below we’ll explain why having a law firm on your side can make such a difference in the outcome of your personal injury claim.
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The Insurance Company Doesn’t Have Your Best Interests in Mind
Insurance companies have one goal above all else: settle claims for as little as possible. Even when liability is clear, the trucking insurance company will try to pressure you to settle for far less than you deserve. This can sometimes include high-pressure tactics that are especially effective for those stressed about mounting medical bills or long periods of unpaid time off work. By having experienced truck accident attorneys on your side, you’ll be able to resist pressure to settle and get an accurate estimate of the value of your claim.
What’s more, it can take some time for the total cost of your accident to be apparent. You may need follow-up surgery, ongoing physical therapy, or other medical treatments. Settling your lawsuit before you’ve reached maximum medical improvement could mean underestimating the total value of your claim.
You Won’t Need to Speak Directly With the Truck Driver or Insurance Company
Having to discuss injury compensation with the person who injured you (or their insurance company or legal representative) can bring the stress and pain of the accident bubbling back up again. Not only that, but the more you speak to these people on your own, the greater your risk of saying something that can be used against you. For example, if you express that you aren’t sure how the accident happened or suggest that your injuries aren’t that serious, the liable parties can later use your own words to diminish the value of your claim.
Having a tractor-trailer accident attorney representing you means that all communications must be through your attorney. As a result, you won’t need to worry about talking to those responsible for your injuries or having to carefully watch every word (although you should still be cautious about posting about your accident on social media).
Assessing Who’s Responsible Can Be a Challenge
Trucking Accidents can happen in a split second, and assessing who is responsible isn’t always as easy as it may seem. You may be able to pin the accident on the truck driver, their employer, the trucking insurance company, another driver, or even your county or state highway department (if road conditions contributed to the crash). Other responsible parties might include the truck manufacturer or truck repair shop. It’s only with a thorough and diligent investigation of your claim that your attorney can know who to name as defendants in a personal injury lawsuit.
For example, the trucking company may have played fast and loose with federal regulations governing hours on the clock, forcing its drivers to travel while tired. If your personal injury lawyer can prove that the trucking company was skirting the law, this can significantly bolster your claim and improve your odds of recovery against the truck driver’s employer.
A truck crash might also occur after an unsecured load falls onto the roadway. In these situations, the loading company, the trucking company, or the truck driver might be liable—it all depends on who was responsible for which part of the loading process.
A tractor-trailer accident can result from a mechanical failure or driver fatigue. Many occur from tire blowouts or an inexperienced driver neglecting to avoid a blind spot. Regardless of the reason, an experienced attorney will know how to ensure that the victims of truck accidents are fairly compensated and that the parties responsible for any trucking company negligence are uncovered.
If you don’t sue the correct defendants and too much time passes after your accident, your personal injury claim could be time-barred. Each state, including Florida, has a statute of limitations for personal injury claims. In Florida, you have only four years from the date of a tractor-trailer accident to file a lawsuit against the potential defendants.
Your Tractor Trailer Accident Attorney Can Help You Recover Maximum Damages
In personal injury claims, including commercial truck accidents, there is financial compensation for two types of damages. Both economic and non-economic damages are available—though the insurance policy may only offer enough to cover your economic damages.
Economic damages include past and future medical expenses, lost wages for time off work, loss of future earning capacity, and property damage to your vehicle and its contents. These damages are designed to compensate you for your actual financial losses, both past, and future.
Meanwhile, non-economic damages are more difficult to calculate—and aren’t necessarily related to any out-of-pocket expenses you’ve incurred. These can include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of companionship. Non-economic damages are just as important and just as deserved as economic damages, and your attorney can help you fight for everything you deserve. For example, if you have a spinal cord injury that requires extensive medical care, a fair settlement will cover more than economic damages. Mental anguish from a life-altering injury must also be compensated.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a tractor-trailer accident, you may be entitled to compensation. At The Ferraro Law Firm, we’re focused on each client’s case and will use all our resources to ensure you have the most robust representation possible. To schedule your free consultation, call 888-554-2030 or just fill out our free case consultation form, and a member of our team will soon be in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions: Truck Accidents
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