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You don’t have to go it alone. Get the advice and support you need to get the most from your commercial truck accident claim.
Salt Lake City’s team
Handling Complex Cases with Ease, so You Can Take Care of You
Commercial truck accidents are very different from regular car accidents. Our team has over 20 years of experience in navigating these complex cases to get our clients the settlements they deserve as they get on the road to recovery.
Answers for you
Commercial Truck Accident Claims 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
What should I do if I’m in an accident with a commercial truck?
Call the police right away. Do not delay in getting the medical attention and treatment you need. Calls to the police are recorded, as are records of any medical treatment and/or transportation you received to the hospital as a result of the accident.
If you are physically able and it’s safe to do so, take photos of the accident and all vehicles, people, injuries, roads and road conditions, signs, traffic lights, and all other aspects of the accident. Try to obtain images and/or video from various distances and locations to get a complete and accurate picture of the crash. Gathering as much evidence and information you can at the time and in the location of the accident will be extremely helpful in determining the issues at play and the party responsible for those issues.
If possible, get the contact information of other people involved in the accident and any witnesses of the crash.
Follow up on any and all doctor instructions and referrals, and keep all records of appointments, copays, out of pocket expenses, prescription costs, etc.
Call a qualified truck accident attorney as soon as you can to ensure you have access to the guidance, advice and information you need to get through your case and your recovery as smoothly as possible.
Do not accept a settlement offer without speaking to an attorney first. It is your legal right to do so, and it’s an imperative step in ensuring that you receive a fair and adequate settlement.
I’ve been in a truck accident
#2
What constitutes a ‘commercial truck accident’?
Commercial trucks are any trucks or large vehicles that are insured by commercial policies. They are usually easy to identify from logos and names on the exterior of the vehicle, and they may have licensing and insurance language and/or numbers on them as well.
Commercial trucks include 18-wheelers, tractor trailers, semi trucks, semi trucks without cargo or attached trailers, and other common vehicles, but they don’t end there. Commercial trucks also include Amazon, UPS, FedEx and other delivery companies’ vehicles, trucks and box trucks. They can also include pickup trucks and service trucks.
If you’re unsure about whether or not the truck or vehicle involved in your accident is commercially insured, reach out to a qualified truck accident attorney right away to determine all parties involved and who may be financially liable in the accident.
#3
Who is ultimately liable in a commercial truck accident?
If the truck driver or the trucking company is deemed responsible for the accident, the insurance company(ies) that insures that company and its vehicles, drivers and loads is ultimately financially liable for paying damages to injured parties. These damages can include payment for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and more.
Speak with an attorney as soon as you can after being involved in a truck accident to ensure you’re taking the best steps as you move forward with your case.
#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 commercial truck 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 commercial truck 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 commercial truck 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
What if I was partially responsible for a commercial truck accident?
Being partially responsible for a commercial truck accident doesn’t necessarily mean that you are not entitled to settlement funds. It’s critical that you discuss your case with an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to understand the options available to you and their potential outcomes.
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Get the Help & Representation You Need
Being involved in a commercial truck accident is hard enough. We’re here to ensure you don’t have to go through the legal issues that stem from them alone.
Reach out to our team today to discuss how we can help with your case.