An 18-Wheeler Against a Car, Pickup, SUV, Motorcycle, or Minivan is Not a Fair Fight. You know that, but sometimes truck drivers act like they don’t.
Big trucks take longer to stop, are harder to control, and cause more damage, destruction, and injury than other vehicles on the road. Sometimes truck drivers are careless, but sometimes they have been pushed too hard by their bosses to drive too long, too hard, with too little sleep.
Either way, you are the one who ends up suffering the consequences.
* When You Can Recover in a Semi-Truck Wreck Case
If you’ve been injured in a semi-truck accident that was someone else’s fault, you’re entitled to compensation. In some instances, there are certain factors that lawyers can use to encourage the insurance company (or the jury) to pay you even more than usual. Think if any of
the following apply to your case:
- Truck driver was driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or prescription drugs (DUI/DWI)
- Truck driver was texting and driving
- Truck driver was speeding
- Truck driver was sleepy
- Truck driver was distracted by something else
- Truck driver was driving in snowy or icy conditions
In addition to holding the semi-truck driver liable for causing your accident, lawyers will also fight for recovery against the trucking company when warranted. Employers (such as trucking companies) can often be held responsible for wrecks caused by their employees during the regular course of business through a legal theory called respondeat superior.
Sometimes you can also pursue additional claims against employers when you can show that the trucking company broke the law or that it was negligent in hiring or retaining a bad truck driver.
* What Types of Damages You Can Recover in a Semi-Truck Wreck Case
When injured by a semi-trick, you’ll also want to consider the expenses you can be compensated for in your lawsuit, which are referred to as your damages.
Damages can include all of the following:
- Medical Expenses – Ambulance fees, hospital visits, doctor visits, in-home care services, etc.
- Lost Wages – Any lost work or pay due to the accident and follow-up health care appointments
- Lost Earning Capacity – Loss of future ability to earn money due to impairments from the injuries
- Loss of Companionship – Also called loss of consortium, this is either the loss of affection or relations in a marriage or, in wrongful death cases, the loss of the loved one
- Pain and Suffering – The mental and physical distress of the pain, anxiety, stress, etc.
- Special Damages – A general category of damages that covers all monetary losses after an accident
Getting Legal Help for your Semi-Truck Wreck Case
If you’ve been on the losing end of a fight with an 18-wheeler, you should retain an experienced semi-truck personal injury lawyer to jump on your case immediately.
Semi-truck accident law can be complicated. Semi-truck accident cases often involve personal injury, negligence, and product liability legal theories. Because of this, if you or a loved one has been injured by a commercial truck, it’s a good idea to consult with an experienced semi-truck wreck attorney who understands the legal theories involved. Due to time limits to file lawsuits, you should quickly consult with an attorney following a semi-truck accident.
* Talk to an Experienced Semi-Truck Wreck Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a semi-truck wreck and you’d like help recovering from the at-fault driver and trucking company, you should have your case evaluated by a personal injury attorney who is experienced at handling personal injury claims.
