You have learned many habits that keep you safe on the road. One of the most important is how to drive near a truck. Tractor trailer trucks are the lifeblood of the American economy. They are the primary means by which goods are transported from one place to another. They are everywhere on the road and must be approached with caution. The drivers of such vehicles also have a responsibility to be diligent and alert. And if you have been injured in an accident that owes to the recklessness or inattention of a truck driver, you have legal options.
What Drives Trucking Accidents
It takes years to get the qualifications necessary to drive a truck. Candidates must apply for a commercial operator license, undergo a period of instruction, and pass a rigorous driving test before they are allowed behind the wheel of a truck. The trucking industry itself is regulated by federal law. Truck drivers must have rest periods when they drive. However, some companies compel drivers to work past these legal limits, which puts them and other drivers in danger.Fatigue is one of the main causes of truck accidents. Companies that compel their drivers to blow past their rest periods can be held liable for any accident that results from driver fatigue.
Equipment malfunction is another common cause of trucking accidents. Trucking companies must ensure that every truck that gets on the road is safe to operate. If the trucking accident you were involved in owes to the failure or defect of truck part, then you may be able to sue both the trucking company and the manufacturer.
Why You Need an Attorney
Few motor vehicle operators walk away from a trucking accident unscathed. If you were in such a collision, you are likely to spend some time in the hospital. While you are there you should consider the future.
The trucking company will launch an investigation into the accident. They may want to interview you as part of their inquiry. You should speak to no one without a truck accident attorney present. Your attorney will counsel you on how to answer the questions posed to you.
The trucking company or their insurers may offer to settle matters straightaway by offer you financial compensation. You should not accept their offer until your attorney has reviewed it. The aim of all such commercial enterprises is to pay out as little money as they can. You should not settle for any less than you deserve.
Getting a Just Settlement
You need not file a lawsuit against the trucking company. Your lawyer may be able to gather enough evidence and expert testimony to compel the respondent to offer you a sum of money that covers your medical bills and lost wages and compensates you for the pain and suffering you’ve endured. In most instances, a trucking company would prefer to negotiate the compensation amount rather than take a chance with a jury decision. A lawyer who specializes in truck accident cases will know how to get a settlement offer that is fair and adequate.