There are several differences in car accidents and truck accidents. While both kinds of accidents involve a personal injury claim, the process is similar, but a truck accident claim is done on a larger scale. When you are hit by a big truck, the damages are usually much worse, and injuries are more serious.
Big trucks are commercial vehicles, so they have larger insurance policies. In fact, the insurance policy for a truck can be worth 50 times as much as a policy for a passenger vehicle. The higher coverage is necessary because a larger truck can cause much more damage than a smaller car.
Other Differences in a Truck Accident
Commercial trucks are governed by hundreds of regulations that don’t apply to traditional passenger vehicles. They must register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Department of Transportation. The additional regulations involve maintenance for the trucks, annual inspections, logbooks, special qualifications, and special commercial driver’s licenses. Trucking accidents are much more complicated. Determining the liability and the cause of the crash. A personal injury attorney can help you with such complicated accident injury claims.
A semi-truck hauling a load could weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. With the additional size and weight, a semi will cause much more serious damage, which can be costly. This additional size and weight could also lead to more serious injuries. When an 80,000-pound truck hits a 3,000-pound car, the damages could be life-altering. Permanent disabilities could result. Injuries could range from whiplash to back injuries to paralysis to traumatic brain injuries. These more serious injuries will result in more expensive medical bills. There is a greater likelihood of death in a crash with a truck, which can result in major financial burdens for the family.
Maintaining Evidence and Documentation
You will need to maintain all evidence and documentation to support your claim. This means you will need to keep copies of all medical records, copies of medical bills, receipts for items you purchase such as crutches or prescriptions, proof of missed work and lost wages, and documentation to show how your life was affected by the truck accident. Various damages might result from such an accident, so you want to make sure you have proof of all your economic and non-economic damages. You must include all your damages in your claim to be compensated for them.
Consult With a Personal Injury Attorney About Your Truck Accident
If you have been involved in a truck accident, you need to consult with a personal injury lawyer who is familiar with truck accident law. Such accident claims can be much more challenging, so make sure you have representation who can aggressively pursue your claim and help you get it on the right track. Personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, so you have nothing to lose. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form to get your case reviewed by a personal injury lawyer today.
