Truck accidents are a leading cause of injury in the United States. While not as frequent as passenger car accidents, truck crashes are usually more severe. The truck’s size means that injuries are often serious, potentially causing lifelong problems or a wrongful death claim. You may not know where to start if you find yourself in this situation. A Port St. John truck accident lawyer could help you and your family get back on your feet and on the road to recovery.
A seasoned personal injury attorney’s goal is to get you the financial help you need and return to as close to an everyday life as you can achieve.
When discussing auto collisions, a truck accident usually means a crash with a large commercial vehicle, not a passenger pickup truck. Those vehicles include:
However, if a vehicle could be identified as commercial or passenger, it is essential to look at its actual function.
The commercial designation is critical because it can impact liability. If a commercial vehicle is in an accident, liability may be on the driver, the vehicle owner, or whoever hired the truck. In addition, if the accident is due to an overloaded vehicle, the party that loaded the truck may be liable. A Port St. John attorney could help unravel the truck accident liability web, determining who should be responsible for an injured person’s damages.
A commercial vehicle accident may seem like just another auto accident – but it is not. First, truck crashes are much more likely to result in severe injuries or even death. Their sheer size and weight means there is a lot of force, even in low-speed accidents, and it is difficult for truckers to see other vehicles due to blind spots. If they are not paying attention, it is easy for truckers to hit other drivers. That is one of the reasons that truck drivers have more regulations than other drivers. In addition to state traffic laws, they may have to comply with federal trucking regulations.
Furthermore, these incidents are different because truckers are professional drivers. They may feel pressure from employers to meet deadlines and deliver products on time, or there might be financial constraints that lead to improper maintenance. That combination can lead to risky behavior or driving conditions, including fatigue, improper turns, blow-outs, failed equipment, and overloading.
After a wreck, injured individuals want to know the value of their claim. That answer will vary depending on the situation. The value of a claim depends on who was negligent, the severity of the injuries, the impact of the injuries on daily life, whether there is disfigurement, loss of income, loss of earning potential, and the cost of medical treatments. In addition, insurance limits can impact the realistic amount of a recovery.
Survivors may experience broken bones, soft tissue damage, nerve damage, burns, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and more. They can be temporary or lead to permanent physical harm. Those injuries can be expensive and may require accommodations for mobility or lifestyle adjustments. A Port St. John lawyer understands how to properly valuate losses after a truck crash causes significant damage.
Truck accident claims have some fundamental differences with those involving two passenger vehicles. Those differences can add additional challenges but may also lead to greater opportunities for financial recovery. Working with a Port St. John truck accident lawyer increases your chances of a favorable outcome in the settlement process or in court. Schedule a consultation to see how The Umansky Law Firm can help with your claim.
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