What to Do If Injured in a Commercial Truck Accident

Commercial trucks, semi-truck, and big rigs are large, heavy vehicles and accidents with them result in devastating property damage and even personal injuries. Because of this, commercial trucks are subject to state and federal laws meant to protect other motorists.

If you are injured in a commercial truck accident, you need to take important steps to protect your legal rights and obtain compensation for your injuries. These steps include:

• Obtaining a thorough medical evaluation
• Providing the accident report to your insurance company
• Collecting information about the accident. (If you can, take photographs. Also obtain police reports, license plate numbers, and the contact information of witnesses).
• Making sure the police have filed a report about the accident. In some states, a report must also be filed with the DMV.
• Getting your vehicle inspected before it is repaired or totaled.
• Contacting an experienced commercial truck accident attorney.

Shortly after a commercial truck accident, the trucking company’s insurance company will likely contact you. Keep in mind they are working to pay as little as possible. Although it may be tempting to accept a payout to get the matter behind you, the initial settlement offer will probably be low. Keep conversations short and do not sign anything from the commercial truck’s insurance company or claims adjuster.

If you were injured in a commercial trucking accident, make sure you are fully compensated for your injuries by contacting the experienced attorneys at McDonald Worley for a FREE case evaluation. 

Commercial Trucking Accidents

If you are in a commercial trucking accident, you should know that commercial trucks are subject to additional state and federal laws. Regular drivers may think that commercial trucks follow the same rules, but this is simply not true.

Commercial trucking laws regulate how long drivers can work and when they must take breaks. Drivers must also complete training requirements, keep logs, and are prohibited from using alcohol, drugs, and other substances while driving. They also require commercial trucks to undergo regular maintenance. Commercial trucking companies must also meet requirements for training and record keeping.

Trucking laws and regulations can be complex, and they vary by state. Additional laws may also apply if the truck was carrying hazardous material. Further, many drivers operate as independent contractors, possibly limiting the liability of the commercial trucking company they were working for at the time of the accident.

The complex laws surrounding the commercial trucking industry is one of the reasons for reaching out to an attorney. An experienced attorney can help you navigate these laws as well as hold commercial trucking companies and drivers responsible. They can also make sure you are getting a fair settlement from the insurance carriers representing the trucking company.

If you have been injured in a commercial trucking accident, you should also be aware that an investigation will be initiated by the company that owns the commercial truck involved in the accident and the insurer representing the trucking company. They will be working to minimize any payout regardless of their liability in the accident. Tactics they use include low settlement offers, false claims about whether the commercial truck accident was the motorist’s fault, and delay.

Unfortunately, commercial trucking companies have also been caught destroying or altering evidence after accidents. They have also told their drivers to not submit to required substance use tests after an accident to try and escape liability.

Companies use these tactics to try and avoid fines and bigger payouts. If you have been injured in a commercial trucking accident, it is important to have a knowledgeable attorney review their investigation and launch one for you if necessary.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial trucking accident, contact the experienced attorneys at McDonald Worley for a FREE case evaluation.