If you have ever been involved in a car accident, you know that issues can arise, making even seemingly easy cases challenging. One of the most difficult parts is determining fault – especially if there are multiple parties involved. Along with that, you have to deal with things like recovering from injuries, dealing with insurance companies, talking to the police, and more.
While car accidents can be complicated, they don’t even compare to the complexity that is seen with truck accidents.
If you are involved in a truck accident, our legal team at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers is ready to help with your case. We can handle even the most complex situations and help our clients receive the compensation they are entitled to.
Here you can learn what makes trucking accidents more complicated, too.
Common Complications of Truck Accidents
There are several reasons truck accidents become so complicated. These things include:
Injuries and Damages
Trucks are much larger than passenger vehicles. Because of this, the possibility of damages and injuries is much higher. Accidents that involve trucks will also more likely result in an injury or death. The additional weight of trucks makes them much more difficult to stop and can cause them to collide with other vehicles or objects because of all the force behind them.
Also, large trucks take up more space on the road. If they become disabled on the highway, then there is a higher likelihood that they will indirectly cause even more accidents. The more injuries and damages there are, the more complicated your case becomes.
Liability and Ownership
Facts related to who owns the truck involved in the accident and liability can also be quite confusing. Some truck drivers are owner-operators. This means they are the full owners of their trucks. However, there are others who drive a truck that’s owned by a different company.
Things become even more complicated when hauling a load that is the property of someone else. In any situation, it’s often difficult to determine who owns a truck and who is liable for the accident. Also, if the truck driver is determined to be the at-fault party in an accident with a passenger vehicle, it can be even more challenging to determine the actual, liable party.
Company Efforts
The company that is determined to be responsible for paying damages will often fight hard to avoid having to pay or pay as little as possible. This is especially the case if there is a lot on the line. After an accident occurs, the trucking company, trucker, and insurance company that covers the trucking company may all get involved in the process. This will cause even more issues for those who are involved in the accident.
Regulations and Laws
Most truckers are subject to more laws, regulations, and rules than other drivers on the road. There are some who can only drive for a set number of hours each day to help limit cases of fatigue. If the hour limitations are not followed, the violation can put them at a higher risk of being found at fault for the accident. Since there are so many regulations and rules, it’s often difficult to determine who is to blame and who is responsible.
Truck Data
There are many trucks that are on the road today that have a black box. The job of the black box is to record different data points, which include the speed the truck is traveling at the time of the accident. This would result in even more complexities being introduced into the situation if the information provided by the black box doesn’t match the other evidence that is collected.
Steps to Take if You Are Involved in a Truck Accident
If you are involved in an accident with a large truck, there are a few things you should do to protect yourself and your rights. These things include:
- Remain calm and make sure everyone is healthy and safe
- Record as much information about the accident and situation as you can
- Get a copy of the police report
- Get in touch with an attorney
Our Legal Team Is Here to Help with Connecticut Truck Accidents
When it comes to truck accidents, there are several factors that make them more complicated than traditional accidents. If you find yourself in this situation, get in touch with our legal team at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers right away to discuss your case and options. You can count on us to work tirelessly to help you recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
Read More:
6 Most Common Types of Connecticut Car Accidents
What Should You Tell Insurance Adjusters After Your Connecticut Accident?