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Helping Injured Victims Recover Compensation
Commercial vehicles transport cargo and produce from place to place to keep the American economy flowing. But, because of their large size, commercial trucks can potentially cause catastrophic and even fatal accidents on the road. Passenger vehicle victims may face severe injuries, leaving them with thousands of dollars in property damage repairs, medical bills, and lost wages from time off work.
If you have been the victim of a truck crash, you deserve to seek compensation for your injuries and other expenses. Insurance companies are often hesitant to give accident victims the payouts they deserve, leaving truck accident victims and their family members in debt for an accident that wasn’t their fault.
Our team at Cornell Injury Law believes all accident victims deserve to recover damages for their injuries and other expenses. Trucking companies and truck drivers must be held accountable for their actions. Our personal injury lawyers can help you seek a truck accident case to get the payment you deserve. For a free consultation and to learn more about our team, contact our law firm by calling 319-946-4019.
What Should You Do After a Truck Accident?
Getting into any kind of car accident is an overwhelming experience. Many victims go into a state of shock and are unable to think clearly. Knowing what to do after a truck collision can help you make a claim for compensation later.
If you have been involved in a trucking accident, take the following steps:
- Seek medical attention right away. Your safety should be your top priority. If you or anyone else is hurt, call for emergency medical assistance.
- Move any vehicles to the side of the road. If your car is still driveable, move it out of the way of traffic by driving it to the shoulder.
- Take videos and photos at the scene of the accident. Photograph the damage to your vehicle, damage to the truck, and any injuries sustained by you or other motorists.
- Do not admit fault. Never apologize for the accident or admit blame to the other driver.
- Contact your insurance company. The faster your insurance company knows about the accident, the quicker you may be able to receive compensation.
- Contact our experienced truck accident lawyers. Pursuing compensation for a truck accident can be difficult without legal assistance. Contact our team as soon as possible for legal representation.
What Are the Leading Causes of Truck Accidents?
A truck wreck can happen for a wide variety of reasons. Understanding the leading cause of your truck accident can help you determine the guilty parties and who to demand compensation from.
Common causes of truck accidents include:
- Distracted driving. Drivers texting, talking on the phone, or checking their GPS systems may not be paying attention to the road.
- Driver fatigue. Truck drivers sometimes work long hours, leading to tiredness and fatigue that can cause dangerous accidents.
- Drunk driving. Drivers who are under the influence may drive dangerously or have slow reaction times.
- Poor weather conditions. Ice, snow, and wind can make tractor-trailer accidents and semi-truck accidents more likely.
- Improper passing or turning. If another vehicle suddenly cuts off a commercial truck or brakes in front of them, it could cause an accident.
- Mechanical failure. If trucks are not maintained properly, they can fail, leading to accidents.
The cause of your truck accident can impact your truck accident case. For example, if your truck accident was caused by driver error, you could make a claim against the truck driver. But if your truck accident happened because of a mechanical failure, you may be able to receive compensation from the trucking company or the truck manufacturer.
What Kinds of Injuries Are the Most Common After Truck Accidents?
Truck accidents can potentially cause serious injuries because commercial vehicles are so much larger than the other vehicles around them. If you have been in a semi-truck accident, it is essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries may not be noticeable until hours or days after the crash.
Your injuries will depend on the nature of the accident, but could include:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Lacerations and bruising
- Internal organ damage
- Burns and scarring
Injuries from a truck accident can even be fatal. If your loved one passed away because they were injured in a truck accident, you may be able to seek compensation on their behalf. Wrongful death claims provide compensation to the family members of deceased victims.
You may be able to seek damages for things like loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and loss of earning potential through a wrongful death claim. For more information about wrongful death claims, contact our law firm today.
What Kinds of Damages Can You Seek After a Truck Accident?
Damages describe any items you are seeking compensation for in a truck accident case. Generally, any expenses you had to pay because of the accident or your injuries can be claimed in a truck accident case. Your unique damages will depend on the specific nature of your accident and the extent of your injuries.
Many accident victims claim the following damages:
- Medical expenses, both current and future
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage repair
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
You can obtain compensation for these damages through an insurance company claim or via a lawsuit. Insurance companies will sometimes offer a small amount of compensation that does not cover all of your expenses. While accepting an initial payout from an insurance company may be tempting, pursuing a lawsuit may be the right course of action for you. If you need assistance with receiving compensation, our attorneys are here to provide legal help.
What is the Statute of Limitations for a Truck Accident?
Most personal injury cases are bound by a statute of limitations that can expire within a specific timeline. A statute of limitations is the length of time a plaintiff has to file a legal claim before they lose their right to take action. Under Iowa law, the statute of limitations for most motor vehicle accidents is two years from the date of the accident.
There are some exceptions to the statute of limitations, including injuries that were not immediately noticeable or damages that were not immediately present. However, these exceptions are rare and hard to come by. It is recommended that you reach out to our legal team immediately to begin building your case to avoid missing your chance in court.
What Condition Must a Truck Be in to Drive?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) oversees all safety regulations for trucking companies. According to FMCSA, all truck drivers are responsible for ensuring their vehicles are in safe working order.
Safe working order includes the following items:
- Lights
- Tires
- Brakes
- Wipers
- Mirrors
- Horn
- Steering devices
If any of these components is not in working order, the commercial truck cannot be driven. If a driver fails to check their truck for working components, they can be charged with damages after a truck accident.
Similarly, trucking companies are responsible for the maintenance of any trucks they own. If a trucking company sends a driver out on the road with an improperly working vehicle, the trucking company can be held accountable for any damages after a truck accident.
Defective parts on a commercial truck can lead to collisions and accidents. If a truck was improperly built or built using defective parts, the trucking manufacturer could be held liable for damages. Because there are so many parties that could be at fault in a trucking accident, it is essential to work with an experienced team of personal injury lawyers.
How Many Hours Are Truckers Allowed to Work?
A federal law known as the “hours of service rule” dictates how long truck drivers are allowed to work. Drivers can only operate their commercial trucks for 11 consecutive hours after having ten hours of off-duty time. Drivers can be on-duty for 14 hours maximum before they must stop driving and take a rest.
Truck drivers must also take a 30-minute break every eight hours. The only exception to these rules is if traffic is going slower than usual, preventing drivers from stopping and resting.
These rules help prevent driver fatigue. Tiredness is a leading cause of truck accidents and can be dangerous to drivers and other motor vehicles on the road. Tired drivers may have slow reaction times or make mistakes that put other vehicles in danger.
What Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Do for Me?
Truck accidents are often life-threatening and can cause serious injuries. If you have been the victim of a truck crash, you are likely facing expensive medical bills, property damage repairs, and more. Seeking full compensation for these expenses can be difficult, especially as you rest and recover from your injuries.
Our team of truck accident attorneys is here to provide legal assistance while you focus on your mental and physical health. We have years of experience representing injured clients, seeking compensation from insurance companies, negligent parties, or both. We are confident that we can help you recover the damages you deserve. For more information and to receive a free consultation, call Cornell Injury Law at 319-946-4019.