Trucks are the lifeblood of the American economy. Without them, most goods could never get from one place to another. These massive vehicles are a necessity for modern life, but they also represent a particular danger on the road. Every automobile is inherently dangerous, a fact that many forget – after all, cars and trucks weigh hundreds or even thousands of pounds, and hurtle along at high speeds. Truck accidents represent a particularly difficult kind of legal problem for those who find themselves harmed by the giant vehicles. If you have been in a truck accident, your truck accident attorney will have several issues to figure out.
At the outset, a truck accident is very similar to any other auto accident. One must start by determining issues of fault, particularly when there are personal injuries in addition to property destruction. Truck accidents are inherently more dangerous than standard car accidents, but many of the same issues apply when the accident involves a larger car. Dealing with insurance can be problematic in even the simplest of cases, but accidents involving trucks can tend to cause a higher level of damage and thus tend to require higher payouts from most insurance companies.
Aside from the obvious issues, determining exactly who owes what can be difficult. Trucks are typically driven by individuals in the employ of others – and figuring out who is actually liable for damage can be difficult. In some cases, an individual owner-operator may hold sole liability for an accident. In others, it will be the company for whom the driver works. Given that both parties will tend to want to avoid responsibility when possible, it is often up to the court to decide who needs to make restitution to the party who was wronged in the truck accident.
There are also particular problems that arise from dealing with major transport companies. While you may hold a very robust insurance policy on your own, trucking companies will tend to have very good coverage. Unfortunately, this often means that the company responsible for insuring the trucking company will go above and beyond to make sure that they don’t have to pay anything out to an injured party. This can put the money necessary for an individual to put his or her life back in order in a sort of legal limbo while the insurance companies do their best to avoid meeting their obligations.
A good truck accident attorney is your most useful ally in your attempts to get what you deserve when you are in an accident. These attorneys not only know the laws that pertain to personal injuries, but they are familiar with the issues that can arise between victims, truck drivers, and transportation companies. Great lawyers have a sterling reputation in the community and the resources available to help their clients through a trying time in their lives. If you have been involved in an accident with a truck, it is important that you work with an attorney who knows how to fight for you.
