A Truck Accident Lawyer Deals With More Than Just Size

You’ve probably heard the expression, “it felt like getting hit by a truck.” You won’t be using the cliché so freely once you’ve had a collision with one though. An 18-wheeler can tear up a small sedan, and a specialist truck accident lawyer knows that these types of crashes are completely different from your run of the mill fender bender. Not only is the driver involved, but the truck company is also responsible for the damage and will play a large role in any settlement or trial that takes place.

One major reason for having a collision at the fault of a commercial vehicle driver is due to unsafe driving habits. Most professionals aren’t swerving or performing any purposefully dangerous maneuvers, but rather they feel pressure from their employer to work extended hours without rest, or might even be taking substances to assist in keeping awake. All it takes is a few seconds of drooping eyelids before you’re caught in a path of destruction. So how does this make your collision case different? A truck accident lawyer knows that in these cases, it isn’t only a matter of responsibility on the driver, but on his employers. If they have failed to promote and administer a certain standard of driver safety, the fault could lie with them, making them liable for any compensation you are due to receive.

A cheap employer is a professional driver’s worst nightmare. It is important for safety reasons that the vehicles are well kept, and regularly maintained and inspected. Failing to do so could be the reason for a fatal crash. Unscrupulous shipping companies may try to fudge their safety inspection data or make outright lies. Or they may be transporting hazardous material without the proper licensing. A truck accident lawyer can not only help a client get individual judgment, but can also reveal the dangerous practices of crooked transport companies that can potentially threaten other’s lives if left to continue on with their deceitful practices.

Even after getting through the initial legal consultations and battles, the problem with auto collisions is that sometimes the worst part is yet to come. A truck accident lawyer needs to be able to understand the medical prognosis and outlook. The first set of bills that comes from the hospital may just be the start of a long future of expensive treatments. Working with medical professionals, the legal representative will make an educated prediction on the potential long-term costs of care in order to ensure the client is adequately compensated.

Only a lucky few survive a collision with a larger vehicle relatively unscathed. Professional drivers of commercial vehicles have one of the highest rates of fatalities for any career, which isn’t very promising if you’re a much smaller car sharing the road with them. To avoid having to use the services of a truck accident lawyer, be smart about driving and stay away when possible. Don’t do risky moves such as attempting to cut off a driver of a larger vehicle or staying in their blind spot for extended periods.