It is difficult to determine what your truck accident case is worth. The value of your truck accident case is dependent on many factors including your injuries and property damage. Multiple parties can be involved, too. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows us that truck accidents are not uncommon, and due to the size of commercial trucks, as well as how heavy they are, it is difficult to stop them, and that could result in tragic accidents.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Just like other motor vehicle crashes, those involving trucks are typically due to driver error. Operating commercial trucks requires attentive care and special skills. It is also essential for compliance with regulation, maintenance, and training to occur. Everyone is in danger when trucking companies let safety slip by the wayside. Information on regulations is provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Some of the most common truck accidents include:
- Aggressive driving
- Defective parts, tires, or trucks
- Distracted driving, including texting or use of CB radios
- Driver exhaustion
- Driver inexperience
- Excessive cargo or improper loading
- Intoxication from medications, drugs, or alcohol
- Trucks in poor condition
- Speeding
- Violation of federal trucking laws
Holding Liable Parties Accountable for Negligence
If you are involved in an accident with a truck driver, most cases clearly define who is at fault for the crash. The truck driver may be liable for the accident, but their trucking company and manufacturer could hold responsibility, too. Your case may be worth more if other parties are involved.
A truck driver’s error that results in an accident reflects poorly on the trucking company as they are ultimately responsible for their employee’s performance. If the truck had defective parts, the truck manufacturing company would be held responsible as they acted negligently and are potentially the reason the accident occurred. When you work with a truck attorney, we can work to identify the liable party or parties so you are compensated fairly.
The Investigation Process Following a Truck Accident
When you work with our dedicated team of legal professionals, we can take care of the following:
- Investigate the truck accident
- Handle all claims documentation from beginning to end
- Obtain evidence such as photographs and video surveillance if available
- Negotiate damages or with insurance companies
- Litigate the claim
- Keep you updated throughout your case
- Answer any questions and address concerns you may have
- Communicate with attorneys on the other side
- Recover damages
The investigation process involves:
- Using industry experts to reconstruct the accident scene
- Locating and collecting information from the truck’s black box
- Meeting with first responders and investigators to gather accident information
- Examining safety records for the trucking company
- Determining if any violations occurred regarding motor safety regulations
- Determining who is at-fault in the case
Recoverable Damages for a Truck Accident
Every truck accident case differs. So, determining the truck accident case’s worth depends on the nature of the injuries, facts of the case, and other factors like the applicable insurance policy limits. Examples of recoverable damages for a truck accident include:
- Burial and funeral costs for wrongful death cases
- Current loss of income
- Current and future medical expenses
- Ongoing care costs
- Diminished quality of life
- Disfigurement, disability, or paralysis
- Future loss of income
- Loss of companionship and support in wrongful death cases
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- PTSD and other emotional distress
Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation
If you are a victim of a truck accident, we are available to help recover the compensation you are entitled to. We can handle your case from start to finish and want to pursue a fair settlement and justice on your behalf. Though you will not know right off the bat how much your case is worth, we will do everything in our power to build a strong, compelling case and fight for your financial recovery. If the attorneys on the other side or an insurance company does not agree to a fair settlement, we will take your case to court.
You should not have to suffer further damage from this situation, and we will fight to make sure the defendant(s) pay for any necessary treatment and expenses as you should not have to. Call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800 so a member of our team can review your case today.