Big Truck Accidents and Compensation: What to Know

6 June 2022
 Categories: Law, Blog

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If you or a loved one has been involved in a big truck vs. vehicle accident, you may be dealing with some serious consequences. The larger the truck, the more likely you are to suffer major injuries. Your vehicle, in many cases, may be totaled because of the speed and weight of the big truck. 18-wheeler accidents are different than regular accidents for several reasons. Find out more below.

What to Know About Serious Injuries

Ordinary accidents can wreak havoc on victims, but when a big truck is involved, your injuries could be devastating. Unfortunately, even though today's vehicles are safer than ever, the enormous size of a big truck can make it possible to be crushed beneath it, dragged along the road, or pushed into ongoing traffic. Big truck accident victims should take caution after an accident and speak to a personal injury lawyer. Doing so will prevent you from making a mistake that could compromise your compensation.

What to Do

Take these steps to protect yourself after a big truck accident:

  1. Seek medical treatment even if you don't think you are seriously injured. By doing so, you are protecting your right to seek medical damages, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more. Some injuries are not apparent until later, so be attentive to your health after an accident and call your doctor at the first sign of problems.
  2. Don't speak to the other side. When a big commercial truck is involved, you might not know who you are dealing with at first. Some big trucks are privately-owned, and you will be dealing with that driver's insurance company. However, many big trucks are owned and insured by businesses and that is who is responsible for your damages. Play it safe and speak only to your own insurance company and your personal injury lawyer.
  3. Think of your future. The more serious your injuries, the more likely it is that you will be facing long-term ramifications. At the least, you will need to be paid for your future medical needs. That is in case your doctor needs to do more surgery after you agree to an accident settlement. At the worse, you could be permanently disabled from the accident and need much more than just lost wages from a job.

Regardless of who owned the truck, you can be compensated because the big truck driver could be at fault for the accident. Speak to a personal injury lawyer to find out more about this type of accident case.