There are few things more terrifying - or more devastating - than a serious 18 wheeler accident. These enormous trucks are an essential part of the economy and logistics. They carry all types of cargo, from palettes of groceries to construction materials. Unfortunately, driving near an 18 wheeler is not always safe.
Tires blow out, sending hard rubber debris flying. Drivers are overworked and may lose focus behind the wheel. Or perhaps someone failed to check a strap at the last stop with tragic results.
If you have been injured in a serious auto accident, you deserve someone to take responsibility. In any accident caused by an 18-wheeler truck, the liable party is responsible for ensuring that the injured person is taken care of, with enough funds to cover medical expenses and lost work until they make a full recovery. Whether the liable party is the driver, their logistics company, or the last truck maintenance team, you shouldn't have to face this injury alone.
Schwartz Law Firm is here to protect you when serious accidents happen. As a personal injury law firm, we specialize in standing up for those harmed by the careless or reckless actions of others.
Serious 18 Wheeler Accident Liability
When a serious 18 wheeler accident occurs, someone is liable. If the accident was due to the driver's actions or working conditions, then the shipping company's insurance is responsible. If the accident happened due to poor maintenance, such as an equipment failure on the road, then the responsibility lies with the trucking company or maintenance team. If the accident occurred due to reckless actions like dangerous driving, the liable party is whoever's recklessness put you in harm's way.
Serious auto accidents result in serious injuries, often enough to require temporary (or permanent) disability and a long healing process. You should not have to face the pain, medical bills, missed work, or injury distress alone. The liable party should take responsibility and provide financial compensation so that your recovery is as easy as it can possibly be.
Your personal injury lawyer will also stay by your side, fighting for your right to full compensation while you focus on recovery. We are here to provide the essential early tips you will need to build the foundations of a strong case, even before the lawyers of Schwartz Law Firm step in and provide direct assistance to help you reach a fair settlement.
Seek Medical Attention
Immediately after an accident involving an 18 wheeler truck, seek medical attention if you are not already receiving emergency medical services. Ask for a full check-up, including scans, if possible. Tell your doctor that you have been in a trucking accident and that you need to know if there are latent or small injuries that might become worse in the next few days.
Ask your doctor for a full medical report including their prediction of your care needs in the future regarding injury recovery, long-term healing, or disability. These details will be essential in building your serious accident personal injury claim.
Things you may want to include in your medical reports include:
- Medical reports of your injuries
- Scans and test results
- Photographs of your injuries
Delayed Pain Injuries
After a serious truck-related accident, it is possible that some injuries will not become apparent until a few days or even weeks. Adrenaline, trauma, and certain types of soft tissue or joint damage are often the cause. Be sure to see your doctor and have these injuries officially added to the accident insurance or personal injury claim.
Document the Scene
If you are able, capture everything about the scene of the 18 wheeler accident. This first-hand evidence can be essential later when insurance companies are trying to prove how the serious accident happened and who was at fault. However, with a severe injury, you may be unable to document the scene on your own. In this situation, you might ask a friend or witness to take photos and collect information on your behalf.
You can also ask your lawyer to request additional evidence like the dash cam footage from the truck and other witness drivers to build a strong set of evidence regaring the circumstances of your injury and the sequence of events.
Here is a list of the documents and evidence it is useful to collect on the scene. You absolutely must have the other driver's information, and additional photos or witness details beyond that can be very useful.
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The Truck Driver
- Driver's license
- Insurance information
- Trucking company
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Photos of the scene
- Before the vehicles are moved
- After the vehicles are moved
- Damage to the vehicles
- Evidence of damage
- Immediately visible injuries
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Witness
- Names
- Contact information
- Phone recordings, if available
- Dash cam footage, if available
Don't Let the Insurance Company Minimize Your Injury
Trucking company insurance agencies often have a set of tactics they use to minimize a victim's injury. They will argue that your injury is not that severe, that it won't take that long to heal, or that you won't need any relevant therapies to aid in your recovery. Sometimes, they will even recommend that you see a specific doctor to provide further proof. Do not go.
Doctors hired or referred by an insurance company may be incentivized to provide a contrasting report of your injuries that minimizes the severity. Always go to your personal doctor or an unconnected medical provider to get an objective report of your injuries. Do not give the insurance company the opportunity to create an opposing medical report.
Documenting Missed Work or Lifestyle Struggles
If you have to miss work due to your serious auto accident injury, document all missed hours and lost pay. Missed work is part of your potential compensation. This is because an inability to maintain your earning potential is a financial loss associated with the injury. When you have to miss work, ask your employer to send confirmation records regarding your temporary leave and missing attendance.
If your lifestyle is affected, such as impaired mobility (ex: crutches or wheelchair) or pain when moving around, document these details, as well. You should also document if your family experiences hardship as the result of your injuries - or the injuries of others hurt in the crash.
Work Closely With a Serious Auto Accident Personal Injury Lawyer
Navigating the aftermath of a serious accident with an 18 wheeler can be a struggle. Your best route to a fair settlement is to work with an experienced personal injury attorney who has worked against trucking companies and their insurance agencies before.
Here at Schwartz Law Firm, we are dedicated to defending those who have been injured and fighting for the settlement you deserve. Let us help you gather evidence, build a strong case, fight against insurance companies, and hold the liable party responsible for causing your serious auto accident. We are here for you. Contact us to consult on your serious accident personal injury case today.
