[dropcap]A[/dropcap]merican roads are not getting safer and if recent statistics are anything to go by, things are bound to get worse. One of the largest culprits in traffic accidents is the large tractor/trailer truck. According to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 3,852 people died in large truck accidents in 2015.
This was a 22% increase in the number of casualties from similar crashes in 2009.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) says 1 in 10 highway accidents involves a large truck again, highlighting the risk other road users face.
Why Large Truck Accidents are Different
The worst thing about tractor trailer and large truck crashes is the extent of devastation. In addition to death, most victims end up with devastating injuries and disabilities.
In a collision involving a tractor trailer, the ends are against you if you are in a smaller car, motorbike or if you are a pedestrian. You are likely to be seriously injured and the following months will be focused on convalescing. This is where tractor trailer lawyers come into play. These types of accidents are more complex than the usual auto accident lawsuits, hence the need for expert legal input.
A truck collision claim is different from other types of personal injury lawsuits in the following ways:
- Fast response: The trucker will immediately alert a dispatcher who will then send a legal team to the scene in order to reduce the exposure of the trucking company. This works to your disadvantage if you don’t hire an attorney quickly.
- More comprehensive evidence: After a truck accident, the evidence required to successfully lodge a compensation claim is more detailed. There are safety regulations standards that your lawyer will have to analyze to ensure the truck driver and the company are compliant. This is documentation from Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) and it has to be analyzed by your attorney to build a solid case,hence the need to hire these professionals early enough.
- Involved parties: Unlike an ordinary car crash, the number of players involved in a trailer accident is larger. From the driver, owner, Truck Company, loaders, freight forwarders, consignors to brokers, all these have to be interviewed to help the case go forward. Your attorney takes charge of these investigations as you continue convalescing. They know these players and how to approach them in order to get the relevant information.
- Insurance issues: The large costs involved in truck accidents necessitate the involvement of insurance providers to try reduce liability of their clients. The insurance company will hire the best legal experts to ensure the cost is minimized. Different aspects of trucking insurance, such as Bobtail coverage, MCS-90 endorsement, and minimum financial responsibility among other issues means the legal input of an experienced tractor trailer lawyer is critical.
- Tractor trailer accident dynamics: Understanding this type of crash requires a lot of knowledge. A lawyer has to fully analyze the physics of the accidents by considering issues, such as multiple axes, centre of gravity, ability to pivot, and cargo problems among other issues.
A tractor trailer lawyer has the expertise and resources needed to win your compensation claim suit.
Sarah McNally is an experienced personal injury attorney working in NYC. She works with a team of tractor trailer lawyers to win justice for affected clients. She lives with family in the city. Visit Sarah’s blog here for more information.
