Tractor Trailer Accident: Do I Need a Lawyer?

A normal tractor trailer weighs more than 80,000 pounds and travels the highways at or above 70 miles per hour. When one of these behemoths is involved in a collision the result is usually devastating for the occupants of the other vehicle. In such an accident, serious long-term injuries are virtually guaranteed. Trucking companies are sued all the time, so most of them have experienced teams of trained lawyers and insurance representatives whose job it is to make sure you receive as small a settlement as possible. Against the organized might of a trucking company and its insurance carrier, tractor trailer accident victims need experienced representation.

The trucking company's plan generally unfolds something like this: you wake up in the hospital after a devastating accident. With remarkable promptness an "insurance representative" from the company appears and claims to be there to assist you. He is polite and helpful, and encourages you to reach a quick settlement that pays your immediate medical bills, perhaps with something left over to account for time missed from work. The representative is pleased that the matter was resolved so quickly, and now you can start putting this sad affair behind you.

And sometimes you can successfully move on, but often the injuries from a tractor trailer accident require extensive medical treatment and long term care. In a trucking accident with a tractor trailer there is a high likelihood that your injuries will be complex and permanent. By the time the true extent of your injuries has become apparent, the trucking company has already obtained a release of its liability, and you are left with a host of medical bills, and ongoing injuries.

This situation can be avoided by retaining counsel experienced in handling tractor trailer wrecks to represent you. A good lawyer will know not to accept a settlement until the full extent of damages is clear. They will also know that trucking accidents follow different laws than normal auto accidents. Because tractor trailers are generally involved in interstate commerce, they often must abide by federal laws in addition to state laws. The federal government has enacted numerous trucking safety regulations, some of which may have an enormous impact on your case. For example, the driver may have been improperly hired due to prior DUI or drug convictions, or the company's equipment may not be maintained to an acceptable standard.

All these nuances that apply to a trucking accident case can quickly overwhelm anyone who is not a professional trained to handle such matters. If you have been injured in a tractor trailer accident, call an experienced tractor trailer attorney who will fight to protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.

To review, here are some of the reasons you need an experienced truck accident lawyer after a tractor trailer accident:

Injuries sustained tend to be more serious, meaning more is at stake

The law governing tractor trailer and commercial truck accidents is more complex

Various parties may be liable for damages you have suffered, including the driver, the trucking company, and the truck's manufacturer

The interests of these parties will most likely be represented by experienced corporate lawyers who are not focused on your best interests and who are dedicated to minimizing your compensation for your injuries

You need an attorney who understands that tractor trailer accidents often cause serious injuries that will continue to cause ongoing medical problems, and that you may need long term care for which the negligent party is responsible.

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