Truck accidents are devastating. When a large commercial vehicle collides with a smaller car, the results can be catastrophic. If you or someone you love has sustained significant injuries in a crash involving a semi-truck, you need legal help from an experienced attorney.
Why Are Truck Accidents So Dangerous?
The numbers make it clear. A fully loaded commercial truck might weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, while the average passenger car weighs around 5,000 pounds. That difference in size and weight means that the people in the smaller vehicle almost always suffer the worst injuries in a collision.
Across the country, trucking accidents cause over 5,000 deaths and 150,000 injuries every year. For those who survive, these crashes often result in serious, life-changing injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe burns, and broken bones. Some victims never fully recover.
What Makes Truck Accident Cases Different From Car Accident Cases?
You might think a truck accident case works just like any other vehicle accident case, but that’s not true. Truck accident claims are far more complicated, and they require attorneys who understand the unique challenges involved.
First, commercial trucking companies and their drivers must follow federal and state regulations. These rules set out how long drivers can stay on the road, how often trucks must be inspected and maintained, what kind of training drivers need, and when drivers must undergo drug and alcohol testing. An experienced truck accident attorney knows these regulations inside and out and can identify when trucking companies or drivers have violated them.
Second, truck accident cases tend to involve multiple parties. In a regular car accident, you’ll probably deal with one driver and one insurance company. But in a truck accident, you might be facing:
• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• The company that loaded the cargo
• The truck manufacturer
• The maintenance company that serviced the vehicle
Determining who is responsible requires thorough investigation and legal knowledge.
Third, trucking companies and their insurers have powerful legal teams working to protect their interests. They know that truck accident claims can result in significant settlements or verdicts. As such, they will work hard to minimize what they pay out. Without an experienced attorney on your side, you’re at a serious disadvantage.
How Can an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney Help You?
An experienced Wisconsin truck accident attorney can take action right away to protect your rights and build a strong case. Time is critical after a truck crash because evidence can disappear quickly.
Your lawyer can work to preserve crucial evidence, such as:
• Highway video camera footage
• Dashcam recordings from the truck
• GPS data showing where the truck traveled and how fast it was going
• Electronic logging device records that track the driver’s hours
• The truck’s maintenance and inspection records
• The driver’s employment and training files
This evidence might be lost or destroyed without swift action.
An experienced attorney can also investigate the accident thoroughly. This might include hiring accident reconstruction experts who can determine precisely how the crash happened, working with medical professionals who can testify about the severity of your injuries, and consulting with economists who can calculate your lost wages and future earning capacity.
Your attorney can also handle all communications with insurance companies. Trucking company insurers often try to get accident victims to make recorded statements or accept quick settlement offers before they understand the extent and long-term implications of their injuries. An experienced lawyer’s job is to protect you from these tactics and fight for fair compensation.
What Should You Do After a Truck Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. At Warshafsky Law Firm, our award-winning team offers free consultations with no obligation. We work on a contingency fee basis, so we only take payment if we recover compensation for you. Contact us today to learn more about how we can fight for what you deserve.
