According to recent reports, between 400,000 and 550,000 accidents involving commercial trucks take place each year in America. Because of the sheer size and weight of 18-wheelers, these accidents tend to be far more serious than those that involve passenger vehicles alone. They result in an average of 4,500 deaths and more than 100,000 injuries annually as well as significant property damage. 

Exploring Your Options After a Tractor-Trailer Accident

If you’re hit by a commercial truck, you may have several legal options available for pursuing justice and seeking compensation for your injuries and damages. They vary depending on the specific circumstances surrounding the crash, where the accident takes place, and other factors. Consider some of the ways you can proceed after this type of accident. 

Insurance Claims

One of the first measures you can take after an accident that involves a commercial truck is to file an insurance claim with the trucking company’s insurance provider. Depending on the trucking company and whether it’s a dedicated hauler or a contractor, you may be able to file a claim with other companies’ coverage providers as well. In many cases, though, people don’t receive the compensation they deserve through this route, which is why so many ultimately turn to a personal injury attorney to pursue further legal action. 

Personal Injury Lawsuits

Whether the insurance companies involved are willing to offer a payout or not, consulting with a personal injury attorney is recommended. An attorney can improve your chances of receiving the compensation you’re entitled to and ensure the responsible parties are held accountable for their negligence. In some accidents, truck drivers are found liable for people’s injuries and losses. Still, please keep in mind that truckers aren’t always solely responsible for these accidents. Sometimes, they’re not at fault at all. 

Several factors enter the mix when determining fault in a tractor-trailer accident. In some instances, trucking companies may be held accountable due to placing impossible demands on their drivers, falsifying drivers’ log books, or failing to properly maintain their trucks. Truck, trailer, and parts manufacturers are sometimes at least partially responsible as well. In certain cases, mechanics or the entities who are responsible for maintaining the roadways may also be at fault to a degree. 

It’s also important to point out that the drivers of passenger vehicles often play roles in these accidents. Some examples include driving in truckers’ blind spots, making improper lane changes, swerving into truck drivers’ lanes, and hard braking in front of 18-wheelers. If you or another passenger vehicle driver is found partially responsible for the accident, it will affect your personal injury claim. 

Seeking Justice in a Trucking Accident

Accidents involving tractor-trailers can be particularly dangerous. They can also be quite complicated. An attorney can delve into police reports, witness testimonies, and other evidence to determine who is at fault in an accident and to what extent. From there, you may be able to file claims for negligence, vicarious liability, product liability, and other issues. If the accident cost a loved one his or her life, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim as well.

A lawyer will advocate for you, help you prove that your injuries and losses were a result of the accident, and determine how much compensation you’re entitled to among other aspects. Fighting insurance providers, trucking companies, and other parties isn’t an easy feat on your own. Proving fault is even more difficult. Having an attorney on your side will greatly improve your chances of receiving justice and fair compensation for your damages.