Commercial Truck Accident Cases

Anyone involved in a commercial truck accident knows that, given the sheer weight of a commercial truck, the outcome is likely to be severe in the form of damage to the car(s) involved and injury to the driver and passengers. This is why commercial trucking companies carry specialized liability insurance designed to cover the often substantial costs of commercial truck accidents.

Once a truck accident claim has been filed, an adjuster representing the truck company will investigate the details of the accident to determine the commercial trucking companies liability and amount of compensation that will be required. It is important to understand that the adjuster will be concerned with minimizing the expense of the claim, and to try to get any involved parties to sign a settlement offer quickly. Anyone involved in a commercial truck accident should be aware of the following ways to protect themselves:

1. If Necessary Get Medical Attention

If anyone was injured in the accident, get medical attention immediately.

2. Request a Police Report

Call the local police station and request a copy of the accident report. It is critical that any errors in the police report be corrected early.

3. Collect all Paperwork and Keep a File

Evidence of all expenses will be necessary for a successful insurance claim. Start a file for the accident, and keep everything related to it together. This should include all medical records and expenses, anything associated will damages to the automobiles involved, anything related to missing work, all other paperwork related to the accident.

4. Be Weary of Signing Anything from the Insurance Company

The insurance adjuster will try to get all parties involved in the accident to sign a waiver releasing them of all further liability. Doing this early on is most effective for the commercial trucking company, because they know that the involved parties have probably not talk to an attorney yet, and won’t know how much their claim is worth.

5. Talk to a Truck Accident Lawyer

It is important that anyone involved in a commercial trucking accident talk to an attorney with experience in truck accident cases. These types of cases are different from regular car accident, and their are unique laws involved. An experienced truck accident lawyer will make sure the trucking company is made to pay damages to the full extent allowed by law.