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If you’ve been hit by a tractor trailer or 18-wheeler, we’re here to ensure you have the very best legal help in getting your case resolved.
Salt Lake City’s team
Tackling every piece of your truck accident case, one step at a time.
Moving through an accident with a tractor-trailer or 18-wheeler can feel insurmountable. Our team of experienced truck accident lawyers is here to provide the help you need at every stage of the process.
Answers for you
Tractor Trailer & 18-Wheeler Accidents FAQs
While every case is different, these frequently asked questions may help shed some light on important aspects of your situation.
Reach out to our team today to discuss the specifics of your case.
#1
Do I need a specialized attorney for handling my case?
Yes. Accidents involving tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, commercially-insured vehicles, and other trucks are often highly complex due to their nature and the commercial and insurance parties involved. It is unwise to work with an attorney that does not have experience successfully settling these types of cases.
At Truck Accident Lawyer, we don’t earn a dime until we’ve won your case and have gotten you your settlement. Whether your case takes three months or three years to resolve, we’ll drive it forward and fight for your rights until we put a check in your hand.
I’ve been in a truck accident
#2
Why are truck accidents so complex and how long do they take to get resolved?
Truck accidents are complex because they involve businesses and commercial insurance. These two factors make these cases more complex than typical car accidents that involve individuals and personally-insured vehicles.
One major factor in truck accident cases is the need for and often complex challenge of establishing fault and liability. Trucking companies are required by law to insure their vehicles, loads and drivers. They are also required to accurately track and keep record of vehicle maintenance, repairs, parts replacements, hiring practices, driver vetting, screening and training, driver activity and breaks, and many other things. Evaluating these records and the other facts of the accident in order to establish fault and make valid claims of liability requires an expert legal team that is well versed in these issues.
The time it takes to reach a settlement for a tractor-trailer or 18-wheeler accident varies case-by-case. And each individual’s own recovery can be a big determining factor in that process. Because of the often greater severity of injury and expense required to get adequate medical help to heal, as well as the corporate and commercial entities that are involved, these cases are typically resolved in a matter of years, not months.
It is imperative that you have a competent and assertive legal team at your side to move through this process as efficiently and effectively as possible.
#3
Who is financially responsible for tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler accidents?
Trucking companies are required by law to insure their vehicles, loads and drivers. The entity that is most often financially responsible for settlements for these accidents is the insurance company that insures that trucking company.
In some cases, the trucking company itself may also be responsible for damages if the accident was not a result of a cause that’s covered in the company’s insurance policy.
#4
If the truck driver is at fault, am I suing that driver personally?
NO, you are not suing the truck driver personally. Many individuals and families hold off or never file suits or claims for tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler accidents because they don’t want to go after the truck driver or other individual that may be at fault, worrying that they are causing financial hardship to that person. This often leads to injured parties not receiving a fair or adequate settlement (or any settlement at all), resulting in their own financial hardship.
It’s important to understand two critical things in evaluating whether or not to move forward with a tractor-trailer or 18-wheeler accident claim:
- Trucking companies are required by law to insure their vehicles, their loads, and their drivers. These requirements are in place because accidents happen – even when drivers are careful and vehicles are properly maintained.
- These insurance policies are designed to take care of injured parties and protect the trucking company’s owners and the truck driver involved from being personally responsible for damages. When filing a lawsuit for a tractor-trailer or 18-wheeler accident, you are in suit with the trucking company’s insurance carrier – not the driver.
You can think of this much like you would a life insurance policy. If you or your spouse passed away after paying life insurance policy premiums, it’s reasonable to assume you would collect the death benefit of that policy. That’s what it’s designed for, and you, as the policy owner, have been paying premiums to ensure those funds are paid out at your or your spouse’s death.
Trucking company accident, negligence, spill and other policies are designed the same way – to cover them and to provide payouts to you, the injured party, in the event of an accident. In most cases, you are simply collecting money from a policy that was designed to issue payouts for the qualifying accident you suffered from.
#5
Someone has approached me about a settlement. Should I take it?
Not without speaking to an attorney first. If you’ve been approached by a representative of an insurance company or a trucking company with an offer for a settlement, it is crucial to discuss the offer with an attorney.
Because these cases are complex and often result in severe injury and/or fatalities, quick settlement offers are sometimes made to try and avoid costly legal proceedings and large payouts. These offers are, very often, not in the best interest of the injured party. Be sure to speak to a qualified and experienced truck accident attorney before accepting an offer of settlement funds.
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Get the Help & Representation You Need
Tackle your accident with a tractor-trailer or 18-wheeler with our 20+ years of experience on your side. Get in touch today to learn how we can help you get the settlement you deserve.