A collision with a large truck or another commercial vehicle can cause devastating consequences in the blink of an eye. When operated unsafely, big trucks like semis and tractor trailers produce a lot of havoc due to their size and weight. Unfortunately, big rigs get in hundreds of thousands of accidents every year in the United States, and many of them are the driver’s fault. When you’re coping with the effects of a big rig accident the clock is also ticking. In Minnesota, you have six years from the date of the accident to file a claim against a semi or tractor trailer. Usually, you’re going to need help right away if you have suffered injuries, and getting that help will also help you have some peace of mind about the challenges yet to come.
Handling Insurance Companies
An insurance company that knows the semi driver is at fault will want to settle quickly, but it’s ill-advised to go along with any settlements. Insurance companies want to minimize payouts and promptly get you to sign away your future rights. It’s never a good idea to work directly with insurers because they want a settlement that benefits themselves, not the victim of an accident.
If an insurance company is trying to get you to commit to a settlement or fill out paperwork, please wait until you’ve spoken with an attorney. A competent lawyer will help you preserve your rights and get the best possible payouts for any future pain or suffering as well.
If you’ve been the victim of a semi-truck accident, it is best to not speak with the truck driver, their insurer, or their employer until you’ve got an attorney on your side.
Keep Track of Your Medical Expenses
Injuries from vehicular accidents can be severe and costly. While six years may seem like ample time to file a claim, for most accident victims it’s also important to start to get compensation as soon as possible. The devastating effects of injury and time lost in coping with the accident can be costly. This is why the help of an accomplished attorney is so critical to getting on with the healing process post-accident.
Medical needs are usually immediate in the aftermath of the accident. Keep copies of all the bills you’ve received, even if your health insurance has already paid them. Also keep track of things you pay out-of-pocket, such as prescription drugs, wound care, etc.
Other future costs may be estimated by doctors or experts through your attorney. For example, you or your loved one may not yet be ready for physical therapy, but after a period of recovery intensive PT may be required. Your attorney can help you understand some of these future expenses.
Track Your Other Losses and Expenses
When a person experiences a life-changing accident, it’s not just the body that is broken. Many times we’ve seen people who feel lost or overwhelmed because a primary provider for the family is unable to go to work. Often, other family members must choose to stay home and help the accident victim heal. There may be mental and emotional effects of trauma that require therapy as everyone adjusts to a new lifestyle.
Recovering from an accident is difficult and costly. Keep track of transportation costs, medical equipment, unpaid time off for family members. An attorney will even consider the suffering of those that have to give up things they love to adapt to a new lifestyle.
Not all of these things will be tracked via receipts or credit card statements. An attorney will help you estimate your costs and needs.
Causes of Accidents
The cause of an accident is not usually determined immediately. Insurance adjusters and other experts may disagree on the cause, depending on who hired them. Your own attorney will probably hire experts to help determine what really happened. Big rig trucks such as semis get in about 500,000 accidents each year in the United States. A semi truck weighs about 80,000 pounds on its own, and combined with other factors, these accidents are often severe and the consequences long-reaching.
Some factors that cause accidents include fault or negligence on the side of the owner or truck operator. Everyday circumstances that contribute to crashes include:
- Â Driving speed of the truck. Many commercial truck drivers exceed the speed limit to beat or meet a deadline.
- Long hours behind the wheel. Fatigued drivers may skip sleep and rest, causing perilous conditions and setting themselves up for an accident.
- Driving mile incentives. Some employers will pay bonuses that cause drivers to push their limits.
- Improper maintenance that causes the truck to be unsafe on the road.
- Dangerous driving. Cutting people off on the highway, driving too close, and other unsafe behavior can cause accidents.
These are just a few factors that can create unsafe conditions on the road for a big truck driver. Semi truck accidents are always dangerous, and there may be more than one factor that contributes to the crash. In fact, it’s normal for a judge or jury to find a that multiple conditions were at fault in an accident. That’s why it is so important to have an expert attorney on your side who is able to help you prove the conditions that led to the crash.
Get Professional Help for Your Case
As mentioned before, if you or somebody you love is the victim of a truck or semi crash, you may face many expenses and consequences that are costly and overwhelming. An attorney can help
We can help you with lost wages, medical bills, and other immediate needs. It’s hard to put a price on pain and suffering, but we are here to help you create a realistic claim that takes all of your needs into account. Don’t let the insurance companies try to minimize your payouts. Instead, give us a call so we can take care of the details while you and your family focus on recovery. Please contact us today to learn more about your options. We are here to help you get on with your life and get the best outcome possible.