Commercial trucking companies have many regulations that outline how a truck driver must maintain themselves on the road, but sometimes they make a mistake that causes a traffic accident. Unlike regular motor vehicle accidents, truck accidents can leave behind more devastating wreckage. That is because trucks can be seven thousand to eight thousand pounds. If you believe a negligent truck driver was responsible for a terrible crash, you can seek the legal advice of an experienced truck accident lawyer in Chandler, AZ. They can launch a thorough investigation and help you obtain fair compensation once they are able to prove which party is liable for your damages. You can call Wattel and York for a free consultation.
What Type of Injuries Can Happen in a Truck Accident?
Truck accidents can cause severe injuries, such as the following:
Neck Injuries
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries that can happen in a truck accident. This is when the head is flung forward then back, making the ligaments and muscles in the neck area get forced out of their normal placement. The result can be migraines, neck pain, and mental fatigue due to soft tissue injuries.
Back Injuries
The back can also get injured if the muscles and ligaments are forced to stretch and snap back uncomfortably during a truck accident. This can cause chronic back pain and other discomfort.
Head Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries happen when there is a sudden blow to the head that causes a concussion, contusion, or sharp piercing injury. If personal injury victims don’t hit their head on the steering wheel or other blunt objects inside the car, it is possible a projectile can enter the car and harm them and their passengers.
Broken Bones
Because truck accidents result in a high-impact collision, it could result in broken ribs, clavicles, wrists and ankles, femurs, arms, hip, and facial bones.
Lacerations
Broken glass and other debris are a common source of deep gashes and other wounds. Lacerations can result in severe bleeding, severed tendons and nerves, and injured muscle tissue.
Internal Injuries
Internal organs can also become injured in a truck accident, resulting in internal bleeding. Sometimes broken bones can cause internal bleeding as well.
Spinal Cord Injuries
These injuries can happen when the back is hit so severely that the spinal cord becomes severed or damaged. This can also put you at risk of paralysis based on the location of the injury and how bad it is.
Seat Belt Injuries
These injuries happen because the seat belt can be pulled too tightly around the body during a truck accident. You may feel tenderness and soreness around your chest and when you are breathing. Additionally, lingering pain when moving your arms and laying down can occur.
Wrongful Death
Truck injury accidents are sometimes fatal and can result in the wrongful death of a loved one. Even if the victim doesn’t pass away at the scene of the accident, if their injuries led to other complications or they died after being treated at the hospital, this can be considered a wrongful death as well.
What Can Cause a Trucking Accident?
A truck driver can be at fault as long as you were following traffic laws, but even if you contributed to the accident, the liable party can still be held accountable for a percentage of your damages.
Driving While Fatigued
Truck drivers are required to take scheduled breaks so that they can stay sharp and alert while on the road. If an investigation into their behavior shows that they have been skipping breaks, then this can prove your case.
Improper Lane Change
Because commercial trucks are such large vehicles, they have gaping blind spots that prevent them from seeing smaller vehicles around them. They may switch lanes and not see a car or other vehicle in the lane beside them.
Not Yielding
Truck drivers are required to uphold strict standards while operating a commercial vehicle, but sometimes they break the law. If you have the right of way but the truck driver proceeded forward, this is a traffic violation.
Speeding
In the state of Arizona, truckers are required to drive at or below the speed limit to make sure they have enough time to stop. If it is found that they were speeding, this will support your truck accident claim.
Substance Abuse
If the police officers at the scene of the crash observe that the trucker was not behaving normally and have reason to believe alcohol or drugs are invovled, they may request a drug test. These results can show whether they were illegally driving under the influence.
Malfunctioning Vehicle
Sometimes there are flaws with the vehicle, either because of the truck manufacturer or because the mechanic or inspector didn’t identify issues with the truck. Your Chandler truck accident lawyer can find out whether this was the case.
How Does a Chandler Truck Accident Attorney Help?
Your truck accident attorney will use their knowledge and expertise to help you negotiate a fair settlement amount. They are skilled negotiators who know how to confront the other parties in order to get the correct compensation. While you focus on healing from your injuries, your attorney will reach out to the party responsible, the other party’s insurance agency, witnesses, and the police department. Your truck accident attorney will even contact any professionals who can help investigate your truck accident. Your personal injury lawyer will try to uncover additional evidence that can support your claim.
Insurance agencies of trucking companies may reach out to truck accident victims to offer a settlement amount. However, you should wait for your attorney to come up with a more accurate estimate of how much your truck accident is worth.
Your attorney has to add up all of your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages that most insurance companies might not take into consideration. The insurance company also may not know all of the details of your situation, which means they won’t have an accurate estimate like your attorney would. Your attorney will seek compensation that entirely reflects the seriousness and expense of your accident to help you recover from the financial and emotional damage caused by the truck accident.
What Should I Do to Prepare for my Truck Accident Settlement Claim?
When you are ready to get started on your claim, you can get guidance from your attorney. Beforehand, it is a good idea to make sure that you provided input stating who was fully or partially at fault on the police report, got medical help, and took pictures of your accident. You will want to make sure you gathered contact information from the responsible party and any witnesses if possible. Once you’ve written down the amount of pain and suffering you endured, it’s time to reach out to a lawyer who can hear what you have to say. They will put together a strategy to help you obtain a settlement from whoever was responsible for your accident. Call Wattel and York today for a free consultation.
