Truck accidents are often devastating. These vehicles are much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, leading to severe injuries and extensive property damage when the two collide.
Truck accident cases also tend to be more complex than other motor vehicle collision cases. This may mean it will take longer to recover the compensation you need for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and other losses. And the insurance companies will try to reduce your compensation throughout the process.
This is why it’s crucial to have a truck accident lawyer on your side. Their knowledge and experience can help you seek fair compensation for your injuries and reduce the stress of dealing with aggressive insurance companies. Contact Demas Law Group today for a free consultation with one of our compassionate Rosemont truck accident lawyers.
Why Are Truck Accidents More Complicated Than Car Accidents?
Truck accident injury claims in Rosemont are more complicated than car accidents for several key reasons, the first being the severity of injuries caused. Due to the size and weight discrepancies between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles, truck accident victims often sustain catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and crushed limbs. These injuries tend to require extensive medical treatment and result in long-term disability that can be expensive.
The second reason these accidents are more complicated is the number of parties involved. It’s common for there to be multiple liable parties in truck accident cases, each of which will attempt to reduce its share of fault for your injuries. Additionally, several victims may be seeking the compensation they need for their injuries from a limited pool of insurance funds.
Finally, a successful truck accident case requires a lawyer with a solid understanding of both state and federal trucking regulations. This includes federal hours of service and cargo securement regulations, as well as California’s commercial truck weight and size regulations.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in the Rosemont Area
Semi-truck accidents in the Rosemont area have many causes, and determining the cause of the accident that harmed you is a vital step in identifying the liable parties. Common causes of truck accidents include:
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Distracted, intoxicated, or fatigued driving on the part of the truck driver
- Improperly secured cargo
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Defective vehicle components
- Failing to adjust driving to adverse weather conditions
- Hazardous road conditions
Identifying Liable Parties in a Personal Injury Claim
Identifying the liable parties after a truck accident is crucial for maximizing the compensation you seek. Individual parties may have relatively low insurance policy limits that must be split between victims. However, by identifying additional at-fault parties and spreading your compensation across them, you can reduce or eliminate the risk of having your claim capped by policy limits.
Some of the parties often found liable in Rosemont truck accident cases include:
- Truck drivers, if they were driving distracted or intoxicated
- Trucking companies, if they encouraged drivers to speed or extend their driving sessions beyond the federal maximum limits
- Truck manufacturers, if defective vehicle components failed and caused the crash
- Truck maintenance providers, if poor maintenance contributed to the accident
- Cargo loaders, if they improperly secured the vehicle’s cargo, leading to it shifting or falling in transit
- Government entities, if poorly maintained roads, such as those with large potholes, faded road lines, or missing traffic signs, played a role in the accident
- Other motorists, if their actions caused a chain reaction that resulted in a collision
What to Do Immediately After a Truck Accident
Immediately after a truck accident, the most important step to take is to seek medical attention for your injuries. Even if you initially feel fine, that could simply be due to your adrenaline masking the pain of your injuries. Some truck accident injuries, such as whiplash, also may take hours or days for symptoms to appear, and seeking immediate medical treatment can mitigate those symptoms.
It’s also important to report the accident to both the police and your insurance provider. You may need a copy of the police report when filing an insurance claim against the at-fault party’s liability coverage policy. And your insurer may not cover you if another party files a claim against you, but you didn’t report the accident to them.
Before leaving the scene, make sure to document it if possible. This involves taking photographs and videos and gathering eyewitness names and contact information. Your lawyer will use this evidence when building your case.
Types of Compensation You Can Recover in a Truck Accident Claim
Through your truck accident claim, you can recover compensation for economic and non-economic losses. Economic losses are those with tangible value, while non-economic losses are harder to put a price on.
Examples of economic losses include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage
Examples of non-economic losses include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability
What a Rosemont Truck Accident Lawyer from Demas Law Group Can Do for You
A Rosemont truck accident lawyer from Demas Law Group can handle your case from start to finish.
We’ll investigate the accident to identify the at-fault parties and collect the evidence needed to hold them financially accountable. We’ll calculate the value of your losses and negotiate with the at-fault parties’ insurance companies for a fair settlement. And if the insurance companies refuse to play ball, our Rosemont personal injury lawyers can take your case to trial and seek the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Contact Our Rosemont, CA, Truck Accident Attorneys
Demas Law Group is among the highest-rated personal injury attorneys in the area, with a reputation spanning more than 30 years, over 800 client reviews, and more than $200 million recovered through negotiated settlements and trial awards.
If you were injured in a commercial truck accident, contact our firm for a free consultation. One of our highly qualified Rosemont semi-truck crash attorneys will review your case and help you explore your options for seeking compensation for your medical expenses and other losses.
