Truck accidents can happen at any time on Redan roads—and when they do, they can lead to serious, even deadly, injuries, vehicle damage, and more. Thankfully, victims are typically entitled to compensation for the damages they suffer. If you were injured in a semi-truck or 18-wheeler accident, you’ll want to find a Redan lawyer who specializes in these types of cases.
Our truck accident lawyers have been helping injury victims seek compensation for semi-truck and 18-wheeler accidents for more than 20 years. We are here to listen to the details of your accident, answer your questions, and fight for the recovery you and your family needs. Plus, we don’t take a fee unless we win you money.
To schedule a FREE consultation with one of our experienced and compassionate lawyers today, call us at (404) 341-6555 or contact us online to get started.
Why Semi-Truck and 18-Wheeler Accidents Are Different Than Other Accidents
There are several ways semi-truck and 18-wheeler accidents differ from other types of auto accidents. It’s important to understand these distinctions if you want to seek compensation for your damages. This is also why it’s vital to work with a lawyer who understands the complexity of these types of cases.
Semi-Truck and 18-Wheelers Are Huge
Commercial trucks weigh tens of thousands of pounds. When fully loaded, they can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. In contrast, cars weigh a few thousand pounds. When a large truck collides with another vehicle, they can do incredible amounts of damage.
The size and weight of these trucks also mean it’s harder for them to stop quickly, make fast turns, or avoid collisions. Commercial trucks are also more prone to rollovers and other dangerous conditions if they get into an accident. Some trucks carry hazardous materials that can pose an entirely different danger if spilled during a collision.
The damages from a semi-truck or 18-wheeler accident are often much more serious, if not deadly. This is why it’s so vital for injury victims and their families to reach out to an experienced attorney very soon after the accident happens.
Drivers Are Held to Strict Deadlines and Regulations
There are very specific regulations by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that trucking companies and their drivers must adhere to on Redan roads. When companies and drivers are responsible, these regulations can ensure they are safer than other vehicles. However, that’s not always the case.
Unfortunately, trucking companies often give their drivers strict and demanding deadlines that can force or encourage them to forgo rest periods, falsify logs, or perform other actions that are unsafe. This can increase the number of under-rested, overworked, and fatigued truck drivers on the roads that lead to accidents.
Several Parties May Be at Fault
With most auto accidents, there are typically two or more drivers involved. When it comes to truck accidents, there are potentially multiple parties at fault for what happened. This can greatly complicate things and make your truck accident case more complex.
The responsible parties in a truck accident may include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- A maintenance company
- A manufacturer
- Cargo loaders
- A government entity
- Another driver involved in the accident (if the accident resulted from poor road conditions)
There are many things that have to happen for a commercial truck to function properly and not be a danger to others on the road. If one or more parties are negligent, they may be responsible for your damages. Your semi-truck and 18-wheeler accident lawyer will need to investigate the details closely to determine all liable parties.
The Insurance Companies Will Fight Harder
The first step towards seeking compensation for a truck accident is usually filing a personal injury claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. With truck accidents, there may be insurance coverage on the truck driver, the trucking company, and the truck itself. Plus, the policies are typically much larger than the average driver of a passenger vehicle.
When more money is at stake, you can expect insurance companies to be even more aggressive to protect their funds. You might be dealing with multiple insurers at once as you fight for your financial recovery. Insurance companies are not afraid to use questionable tactics, such as blaming you for the accident or trying to get a recorded statement from you, to reduce what they have to pay.
Since the insurance side of things can be so complex after a truck accident, it’s best to let your truck accident lawyer handle communication with the insurance companies so you’re not taken advantage of and your rights are protected.
Never Accept the First Insurance Settlement Offer
After the truck accident happens, one or more of the insurance companies might try reaching out to you. They might:
- Ask how you’re feeling
- Seem sympathetic about your situation
- Ask you to give a recorded statement
- Ask you to sign something
- Offer you a settlement upfront
You should be wary of anything the insurance companies say after your accident. Even if they seem kind and compassionate, they do not have your best interests at heart. They are looking for ways to get information from you that could be used against you later.
The insurance company might also offer you a settlement right away. The money might even seem pretty good, especially if you’re becoming increasingly stressed about your medical bills and other costs. However, you should never accept the first settlement offer.
The insurer is hoping that you’ll take the first offer and sign your rights away. The first offer is never enough to cover all of your damages, and your lawyer will work to negotiate a higher settlement instead.
Talk to a Redan Semi-Truck and 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer for Free Today
Our semi-truck and 18-wheeler accident lawyers know how to handle the insurance companies after a truck accident. We have been representing truck accident victims for over two decades, and we’re here to help you with your case, as well. Let us give you a FREE consultation and case evaluation to get started.
Call us at (404) 341-6555 or contact us online now to schedule your FREE consultation. We’ll go over the details of your truck accident case and discuss how we can help. Contact us now for your FREE consultation.
