Sustaining injuries from an accident involving a commercial truck can be devastating emotionally, financially and physically. It is possible that the injuries have prevented you from working, have led to a mountain of medical bills, and have created difficulties in your life as a result.
Filing for a personal injury claim with a trucking company’s insurance is probably the first legal avenue you will pursue. You may be offered a small settlement; it will be attractive to take the money because of your financial troubles, but it may not be the best possible outcome for you.
Read the information about truck accidents below for a brief overview of liability, outcomes and possible damages resulting from truck accidents.
What should an adequate settlement cover?
When you file a claim, you should consider a list of damages that you want to be compensated for. An adequate settlement should cover things like:
- Hospital bills
- Doctor appointments
- Lost wages from being unable to work
- Loss of future wages due to a permanent or long term disability
- Damages or replacement of vehicle
If only some or very little of these expenses are covered, you may wish to pursue a lawsuit that includes one or more parties liable for the injuries you have suffered from this accident. This will depend highly upon the cause of the accident itself.
Are there multiple liable parties in a truck accident?
Even if the accident was just between you and the truck, there may be several liable parties. It is important to gather ass much information as possible to determine if there are more parties you should contact. Here is a list of pertinent information for your case.
- Name of the Truck Driver
- Name of the Owner of the Truck and Trailer, Probably the Trucking Company
- Truck Manufacturer
- Truck Tire Manufacturer
- Parts Manufacturer
- Third Party Maintaining and Using the Truck
Depending on the cause of the accident, there may be multiple parties liable for your injuries. For example, if one of the wheels was installed improperly and it fell off, causing an accident, then you will have cause to contact the prty maintaining the truck as well as the parts supplier.
What if I do Accept the Settlement from the Insurance Company?
Once you accept a settlement, you will be promising to not further pursue legal action against them. If you accept a settlement that doesn’t cover your damages, then you could still suffer financially. You may be alright in the short term, but if you suffer for a long term period because of the accident, you cannot sue for more money to cover those expenses.
What a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Do for You
A lawyer can help you gain an adequate settlement from an insurance company. They can also represent you in court if the insurance company will not pay damages or if they offer a low settlement. Having a truck accident lawyer, relies on by your side to handle things in this difficult situation may be your best chance at getting the compensation you deserve. Call a personal injury lawyer today for a free consultation.