Commercial trucks are much larger and heavier than the average car or SUV. So, when a semi-truck hits another vehicle, the smaller car – and the people in it – are likely to suffer serious injuries. Nearly 75% of injuries and fatalities in trucking accidents happen to the occupants of the smaller car.
Trucking accident injuries can be life-changing. The average trucking accident costs an injured person nearly $200,000. But you can get compensation for your injuries. This article will explain how to maximize your damages after a trucking accident.
Factors That Influence the Severity of Trucking Accidents
Large trucks (sometimes called big rigs, semi-trucks, semis, or 18-wheelers) are just five percent of the vehicles on U.S. roads, but they account for nearly 10 percent of all fatal accidents.
Like all accidents, trucking accidents have different causes. Some factors can also make a trucking accident worse, such as:
- The point of first impact,
- The truck driver’s use of alcohol,
- The type of roadway,
- Speed,
- Road conditions,
- Weather, and
- Time of day.
What Types of Compensation Can I Get After A Truck Accident?
In any motor vehicle accident, to get compensation, you’ll have to prove that the truck driver (or the driver’s employer, trucking company, or other responsible party) was negligent. To prove that someone was negligent, you’ll have to show that:
- The truck driver (or company) had a duty to behave in a certain way to keep you and others safe;
- The responsible parties did not take the required actions;
- You were injured; and
- Your injuries were caused by the truck driver’s failure to take necessary safety precautions.
If you can prove that the truck driver or someone else responsible for the truck was negligent, you will be entitled to damages. These damages are designed to compensate you for what the accident took from you. These damages can be economic or noneconomic.
Economic damages reimburse you for the money you spent or lost due to the accident. This category includes expenses like medical bills, rehabilitation, and medical equipment. Economic damages also repay you for property damage, lost wages, and lost future earnings.
Noneconomic damages address the non-financial costs of the accident. After an accident, many people experience emotional distress, such as anxiety and depression. You can get emotional damages for these injuries. Pain and suffering damages compensate you for the physical pain you experienced after the injury and during recovery.
How to Maximize Damages After a Trucking Accident
The key to maximizing your recovery after a big rig accident is to gather as much evidence as possible. Here’s how:
Document the scene of the accident. Collect as much information about the accident as you safely can. Get the driver’s name and the names of any companies involved with the truck. Take pictures that highlight not only the condition of both vehicles but also:
- The weather,
- Signs (or lack thereof),
- Any logos on the truck,
- The truck’s license plate,
- Skidmarks on the road, and
- Damage to guardrails or other road safety features.
Get witnesses. Getting the names of anyone who saw the accident is also crucial. These people will be able to shed light on what happened before, during, and after the crash. Their statements can help you prove that the truck driver was acting carelessly.
Go to the doctor. Even if you don’t have any visible injuries at the scene, you must see a doctor immediately. Your medical records will provide proof of your injuries and their severity. The records might also help prove that the trucking accident was the cause of the injuries.
Document your injuries. If you are injured at the scene, take pictures of your injuries as soon as possible. Keep records of all medical treatments. Organize the medical records and put them in a safe place.
Document your financial losses. Keep well-organized records of your pay stubs, W-2s, disability paperwork, and anything else that shows a loss of income.
Keep track of your emotional injuries. Writing your daily thoughts in a journal could prove that the accident caused you emotional distress. Treatment records from a therapist or other mental health professional can also help.
How a Lawyer Can Help You After a Trucking Accident
Trucking accidents can be very complex. They often involve serious injuries, multiple companies, and many state and federal laws. But an accident lawyer can help you deal with these issues. An Alabama personal injury attorney can help you by:
- Investigating your accident,
- Talking to the insurance company on your behalf, and
- Negotiating a fair settlement for you.
Looking for a Birmingham Truck Accident Attorney?
If you’ve been injured in a trucking accident, you may be entitled to damages. If you have questions about how to recover damages after your semi-truck accident, please contact Collins Law, LLC. Our firm helps people injured in trucking accidents, car accidents, and other collisions. We will work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve. Call 205-588-1411 or use our website’s online scheduling tool to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.