When you have been involved in a truck accident, whether as the truck driver, the trucking company, or someone who has been injured in the accident, it is important to choose the right legal representation, which is probably going to mean looking for an experienced truck accident lawyer, but is this any different to any other personal injury lawyer? The short answer is yes! Although most personal injury lawyers or auto accident injury lawyers will be perfectly qualified to handle your case, sometimes it is better to opt for a lawyer with more experience, specifically in truck accident law. These types of lawsuits can be highly complex, and choosing an experienced truck accident lawyer can help the process to run smoothly for you and could be the difference between a great result and a less than satisfactory one.
Some of the key reasons why it is important to choose a truck accident lawyer include:
- Trucking companies and truck drivers must follow federal laws, state commercial driving regulations, and other standards that don’t apply to other drivers. Hence, it is helpful to use a truck accident lawyer who will understand these regulations.
- Due to the large size and substantial weight of a commercial truck or trailer, the level of damage and the severity of injuries sustained in a truck accident will often far exceed those in a car crash.
- The stakes are higher in truck accidents, so trucking companies, truck drivers, and trucking insurance companies will tend to have to fight harder to reduce their liability.
Let’s dive deeper into each of these reasons to explore why choosing a truck accident lawyer is more beneficial than any other personal injury lawyer.
Federal Laws & Commercial Regulations
The first reason mentioned was that trucking companies and truck drivers are bound by federal laws and commercial regulations, including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). These can be complex and confusing, especially if you are unfamiliar with them. As an injured person, you will want a truck accident lawyer to be able to interpret these regulations correctly so that they can highlight any that were breached, resulting in the accident in question. Similarly, as a defendant truck driver, it will be important that your truck accident lawyer understands these regulations to help you work on reducing your liability by proving that you were fully compliant with the laws and regulations at the time of the accident.
More Severe Injuries
The average car weighs about 5,000lbs, but a tractor-trailer can be as heavy as 80,000lbs. Simple physics tells us that the heavy vehicle is going to exert much more force on impact. Truck accidents usually result in far more severe injuries than car accidents. Since the potential damages are more significant, commercial carriers and drivers need more extensive insurance policies, including substantial liability insurance. That means when it comes to facing a truck accident lawsuit, they will have to fight harder to minimize their liability and reduce the cost of damages. On the other side, the plaintiff needs a lawyer with the knowledge and experience to face that tough opposition and secure the compensation that is deserved. Your truck accident lawyer may need to work with expert witnesses, including medical professionals and accident reconstruction experts, to gather as much evidence as possible to aid in reaching a satisfactory conclusion.
High Stakes Insurance Claims
As touched on above, truck drivers and trucking companies have larger insurance policies than the average driver. A truck driver needs a minimum of $750,000 liability coverage, but many will have coverage worth millions of dollars. Insurance companies always want to avoid paying out large settlements, so along with trucking companies, they will use everything in their power to reduce the amount of damages paid out following a truck accident. They will want a great lawyer who understands the ins and outs of truck accidents to defend the case. Similarly, if you are the plaintiff, you need a strong truck accident lawyer to help push back against the aggressive defense a truck company is sure to put up.
Whether you are the plaintiff or defendant in a truck accident case, it is to your advantage to seek an experienced truck accident lawyer who can help you achieve the best possible outcome from the lawsuit. Don’t delay in talking to a lawyer. The sooner they can gather all the evidence, the better. The right truck accident lawyer can help you to navigate the aftermath of a truck accident, including preparing your lawsuit or defense and dealing with the insurance companies.
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Butler, Vines and Babb is a leading law firm in Knoxville, TN, with extensive litigation experience in Medical Malpractice Law, Birth Injury Law, Trucking Accident Law, Personal Injury Law, and Business Law. Contact us today at www.bvblaw.com or call 865-637-3531.
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