Injured in a Truck Accident? Crucial Things to Know

Although any traffic accident can have dramatic consequences, statistics suggest that truck accidents are typically more severe. Because they’re large vehicles carrying heavy cargo, trucks create more destruction in case of impact. Moreover, commercial truck drivers are often overworked, and the exhaustion associated with long-distance driving leads to devastating human errors.

 If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, here are some crucial things you need to know. This information will help you return to your normal life with as little physical and financial discomfort as possible. 

You May Be Entitled to Compensation 

The vast majority of truck accidents happen due to human error. An example is a driver falling asleep at the wheel and losing control of the vehicle. What’s the cause of your accident? A mechanical or technical malfunction? A distracted driver? A lack of infrastructure safety or ineffective road management? Poor truck maintenance? Improperly loaded cargo? When an accident is caused by the negligent behavior of a person or entity, the victim is entitled to compensation and can pursue legal action to collect damages. Assess the circumstances of your accident to determine who’s the liable party. This step will dictate what you should do next. 

You May Suffer Delayed Symptoms 

Because truck accidents involve such a massive force, victims often suffer injuries that cause long-term symptoms or disabilities. Moreover, delayed symptoms are a common occurrence in traumatic accidents. Even if you feel fine after the accident, you don’t know how the accident has affected your internal organs or brain. Get a medical professional’s complete assessment of your physical and mental health and schedule regular check-ups. 

You Need Legal Assistance  

If you believe you’re entitled to compensation, you need legal assistance to protect your rights and make sure you get fair compensation for your losses. However, it’s critical to remember that every state has different laws. For example, if the accident occurred in West Virginia, you should speak with a commercial truck accident lawyer in West Virginia. A local lawyer who has extended knowledge of the state’s traffic rules and laws can stand by your side and represent you with confidence. Truck companies are worth millions of dollars and have strong insurance coverage. They also have a lot of money to throw into minimizing their liability and getting out of trouble easily. If you want to file a claim against any individual or company, hiring a lawyer is vital. 

Calculating Damages is Complicated 

Do you have any injuries that may cause long-lasting or even permanent disabilities? If the answer is yes, you will need complex and extensive medical treatment. From emergency care and hospital stays to physical care and medications, the costs can be overwhelming even for a high-income individual or family. It’s a scary prospect, but the medical bills can continue to pile up for years after the accident. Moreover, if you cannot work, you no longer have a reliable income to rely on. Because an accident can disrupt your life in such drastic ways, causing you pain, suffering, depression, and emotional distress, calculating damages is complicated but necessary. This is another reason why hiring a lawyer is crucial. A lawyer can help you determine the full extent of the physical, emotional, and financial damage so you can demand fair compensation from the liable party. 

Don’t Accept a Quick Settlement 

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, don’t rush to accept a settlement. Because calculating damages is complicated, legal experts, accountants, medical professionals, and any other parties involved need time to investigate the accident and its implications thoroughly. Don’t allow the insurance company to pressure you into signing a disadvantageous settlement. They may try to underestimate how much you can get in court, so only trust your lawyer to calculate the losses. The liable party should compensate you for all medical bills, loss of income, and emotional trauma. They should also compensate you for affecting your quality of life. Anything less than that is unfair. Don’t accept a settlement until you receive an offer that covers your economic and intangible losses. 

A truck can weigh 20-30 times as much as a passenger car. When a truck and a car crash, the car underrides the truck. As a result, the car driver and passengers are openly exposed to trauma, whereas the truck driver can leave the accident scene unscathed. Although a traffic accident is always an unfortunate event, the consequences can be extreme when the accident involves a truck.

If you have been the victim of a truck accident, use the information above to navigate the challenges ahead of you.