Did you know truck accidents and car accidents are entirely different when looking at them from a legal perspective? Many factors play into how accidents involving trucks and passenger vehicles are handled. This fact alone makes an attorney who has an in-depth knowledge of commercial truck accidents invaluable for winning your claim.
Still, you need to understand these factors that can play into your truck accident claim. This is because they can affect who is at fault for the accident and how much compensation you will receive.
The following information will serve to give you a broad overview of the factors that play into the complexity of truck accidents:
Governed by Federal Law
Truck drivers and companies are held accountable through regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Some of these regulations include:
Driver Requirements:
To obtain commercial licensing, drivers must pass a combination of tests, including those testing their knowledge, physical ability, and ability to maneuver the truck while on the road properly.
Drivers are required by law to retest every couple of years to maintain their commercial license. They are also required to maintain compliance with regulations regarding drugs and alcohol and may be subject to periodic testing.
Truck Maintenance:
In order to ensure safety on the road, truck companies are required to have their commercial vehicles regularly inspected and serviced.
There are even regulations on how to secure cargo properly. These regulations are necessary to ensure that the hauled load does not come loose, as this can cause accidents as well.
Work Hours:
Depending on what type of cargo they are hauling, truck drivers have a maximum number of hours they can work per day and a maximum number of days they can work in a row. There are also regulations established regarding periodic breaks for drivers. This is to help avoid driver fatigue and increased accidents.
Trucks should also include a logging device that connects to their engine, enabling the ability to track the number of hours worked and driving habits such as speed.
Different Insurance Policies
Because semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and other trucks are used for commercial purposes, they require commercial insurance policies. This means a potentially higher payout than what would be involved in a regular vehicle accident. Insurance companies will fight not to pay your claim and will do everything they can to prevent it from going to court. Many drivers and trucking companies have multiple layers of insurance available to pay a claim involving personal injuries and wrongful death.
Multiple Parties Involved
In a truck accident insurance claim, you will be dealing with multiple parties that may include: the truck driver, truck company, and the insurance company. Together, they will work hard to avoid paying your claim or pay you the minimum amount you will take. They may even try to get you to admit fault, which can significantly damage your case.
Win Your Claim: Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer
Now that you have an understanding of why truck accident claims are complicated, it is vital to contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can provide you with legal advice and assist you with recovering the compensation you deserve.
At Strickland & Kendall, we provide the expertise required to assist you with your truck accident case and winning your claim. We will review all of your case’s factors, the police report, and whether the truck driver and company followed the federal motor carrier safety regulations.
Our goal is to ensure that you receive the maximum payout for your pain and suffering, including medical bills from physical injuries, lost wages, and mental and emotional trauma. Call the attorneys at Strickland & Kendall today at 334-269-3230 for a free consultation!