Trucking Accidents
Our economy is dependent on goods transported across the country by 18-wheelers. That’s why there are so many of these behemoth vehicles rolling down our highways. Most 18-wheeler drivers are safe, qualified operators, who follow the rules and can get from point A to point B safely. But when a reckless driver gets behind the wheel of a vehicle weighing in at 80,000 pounds, lives can be destroyed in an instant.
Federal laws have strict regulations about the maintenance and operation of these dangerous vehicles. However, sometimes disreputable companies put profits over people by ignoring the rules in order to squeeze out more profit.
If you or a loved one was injured due to the dangerous operation of an 18-wheeler or because of the negligence of a trucking company, don’t let them get away with it. They owe you compensation for your pain, suffering, medical bills, car repairs, and other losses. An experienced truck lawyer can help you with this by immediately springing into action to preserve critical evidence that can be quickly lost or covered up by the company. The days and weeks following a trucking accident are critical to preserving key evidence necessary to properly pursue a claim for damage, especially when serious injury is involved.
What to Do After an 18 Wheeler Accident
The minutes following an 18 wheeler wreck seem to run together in a blur. Twisted metal, serious injuries and panic set the scene for the fight that’s coming next – the one with the insurance company.
The truck’s insurance company will try to do everything in their power to deny their responsibility and get out of compensating you for your injuries. Trying to go it alone against a national (or multinational) company with scores of lawyers, means the odds are stacked against you. But hiring your own professional legal team can help level the playing field and ensure that your claim is taken seriously.
Following a wreck involving an 18 wheeler, it is imperative to start collecting evidence. It will be important to obtain copies of the police report and the trucking company’s driving and maintenance logs. This can help reveal whether the company was taking shortcuts and violating the law. Oftentimes, wrecks occur because fatigued drivers are under pressure to exceed the number of driving hours allowed by law. Additionally, truckers may have been forced to operate a truck with malfunctioning breaks or other serious defects that contributed to the wreck. A thorough investigation will help bring everything to light.
It is also important to get photographs and video from where the accident occurred. This will help illustrate your story and prove your account of the accident. Another important aspect will be identifying, locating and interviewing anyone who may have witnessed the wreck. Eyewitness accounts can be crucial in proving your side of the story. Gathering all of this evidence will be important when it comes time to negotiate with the insurance company about compensation.
Unfortunately, it is almost impossible for you or your family to do all of the legwork yourselves. You need to focus on your recovery, while your lawyer focuses on your case. You are facing enough already, you don’t need the added stress of dealing with an insurance company.
Why Medlock and Gramlich, LLP?
Our firm has experience successfully resolving 18 wheeler collisions. We promise a thorough, exhaustive investigation and an entire team of legal professional tirelessly working on your behalf. You’ll get the aggressive representation you need and the personal touch you deserve.
