An 18-wheeler car accident isn’t your standard motor vehicle crash; instead, it’s a crash that involves a behemoth of a vehicle, and which is much more likely to result in serious injuries and damages to the occupants of the smaller vehicle. If you have been in an 18-wheeler accident or a car accident, you need a lawyer.
Here’s an overview of some of the key differences of these two accident types, which should provide insight as to why working with the proper attorney based on the type of accident in which you’ve been involved is key–
Damages May Be More Severe in 18-Wheeler Car Accidents
While this isn’t always the case–indeed, there are some passenger vehicle-only car accidents that are fatal or very tragic–18-wheeler car accidents are more likely to result in serious injuries than are accidents involving smaller vehicles only. This is because 18-wheelers are so much larger than are smaller cars – up to 20 times larger, actually.
This means that when a collision happens, there is much more force involved. More force means more damages, which is why you often see passenger cars that are completely crushed as a result of a collision with a semi-truck.
Common injuries that may result from an 18-wheeler accident include head, neck, and back injuries; traumatic brain injuries; spinal cord injuries; loss of limb or loss of use of limb injuries; and internal injuries. These injuries may be permanent.
There May Be More Insurance Coverage Available
While injuries may be more severe in an 18-wheeler crash, the good news for those who have been involved in this type of accident and who have been severely harmed is that there is typically more insurance coverage available in an 18-wheeler crash. This is because trucking companies tend to carry much larger insurance policies, which are designed to protect the company from individual liability in the event that a crash occurs. If you have a good lawyer working for you, it’s very possible that you’ll be able to recover the full extent of damages you’ve suffered in your truck accident.
Determining Fault Is More Complex in an 18-Wheeler Car Accident
In a standard car accident involving two passenger vehicles, there are usually two potentially at-fault parties: each of the drivers involved. In a truck accident, though, there are multiple parties involved who may have played a role in the crash, and, therefore, determining fault can be much more complex. Examples of a few of the parties who may be partially responsible include the truck driver, the trucking company, the shipper or loader of cargo, the cargo manufacturer, or the truck manufacturer.
As such, a thorough investigation must be conducted, and experts–such as accident reconstruction experts, vehicle design experts, etc.–must be consulted. The complexity of a truck accident also demands that spoliation of evidence letters are sent, truck driver’s logs are reviewed, truck service records are analyzed, etc. This can extend the claims process and make getting the settlement you deserve more challenging (but still very possible).
Costs Will Be Higher in a Truck Accident
As stated above, the damages that a person may suffer in a truck accident are likely to be more severe than a person would suffer in an accident involving only smaller vehicles. As such, injuries may be more severe. In addition to more severe injuries, the overall costs will likely be much higher, too.
Costs that a victim of a truck accident may incur include large medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, property damage costs, and noneconomic costs like pain and suffering. These costs could be well into the thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions of dollars.
18-Wheeler Car Accidents Demand the Experience of a Skilled Lawyer
Car accidents happen all of the time and, while some are serious and tragic, many are minor and don’t result in any long-term harm or serious damages. The same can rarely be said for truck accidents. As such, 18-wheeler accidents and the truck accident claim process almost always demand the experience of a skilled legal professional.
An attorney will know how to build your case, investigate your accident, ensure evidence is preserved, work with experts, identify sources of insurance, calculate your damages, negotiate your settlement, and even litigate your case in court if necessary.
If you are in a truck accident, you shouldn’t think twice about reaching out to a knowledgeable truck accident attorney in Nevada who can help you to get the compensation award you deserve. Be sure to call an attorney who has a history working on truck accident claims, not just standard motor vehicle accident cases.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Legal Professionals Today
If you’ve been in a truck accident, your life may have changed dramatically as a result. If you are facing medical debt, a disability, and a diminished quality of life as a result of an 18-wheeler car accident, there is hope for the future, and our lawyers can help. When you call our experienced Nevada truck accident attorneys, we will work hard to get you the settlement that you deserve.
We offer free consultations, work on a contingency fee basis, and always make sure our clients know that they are our number one priority. Reach out to our law firm today by phone or online to schedule your consultation and start the process of taking control of your future today.