At first, it might seem like all accident attorneys who work with vehicle collisions are the same. However, there are several differences between those that work with motorcycles, trucks, and cars or SUVs. If you’ve been involved in an accident, selecting the right attorney is a vital part of the process. Here’s everything you need to know.
Trucks vs. Cars
In car accident cases, an attorney is dealing with two drivers as well as any passengers and the insurance companies associated with each vehicle. While that’s a lot to handle, accidents involving trucks come with additional parties and complications. A truck accident attorney deals with higher stakes and federal law.
Navigating Laws and Regulations
Both trucking companies and their drivers are governed by federal laws as well as state commercial regulations, company policies, and any applicable industry standards. None of these apply to non-commercial drivers.
Drivers must also follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. These regulations are numerous and highly complex, requiring someone familiar with them and skilled at navigating each section. These are in combination with each state’s law on special licenses and commercial driving manuals.
All of these laws and regulations are essential in determining if the driver was at fault. However, they can also shed light on whether the company was non-compliant or did not train and educate their drivers properly.
The Tough Fight
Competition in the trucking industry is fierce, which causes the parties involved to fight harder than in a non-commercial accident. Truck drivers are fighting adamantly to maintain their jobs and not have their reputation as drivers tarnished.
Meanwhile, companies do not want a wreck to damage their brand, potentially leading to a loss of business. For the insurance company, the settlements they may have to pay out are astronomical. In order to maintain their bottom line, it isn’t uncommon for some shady practices to take place.
Agencies may offer lesser settlements to make a case disappear, lobby police to eliminate citations, or erase the “black box” inside a truck that monitors everything from speed to braking and trip history. Insurance representatives and their lawyers are always on the scene as soon as possible.
Serious Injuries
With the size and weight of commercial trucks, the chances of severe injury are increased. That means medical expenses, time off work, and emotional trauma from the accident are all increased. A skilled truck accident attorney must know how to work with their client during this difficult time.
They also must put up a greater fight with insurance companies on both sides to ensure their client’s medical expenses and other costs are covered. This includes future complications from the victim’s injuries, which require more medical knowledge than whiplash or other common injuries in non-commercial accidents.
When it comes to choosing the right legal representation for the job, you need a truck accident attorney if you’ve been involved in a wreck involving a commercial truck. They have the expertise required to get you the compensation you deserve in this type of accident.
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