When it comes to motor vehicle accidents, truck accident claims stand out as uniquely complex and challenging. The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks make these crashes more devastating, and the legal intricacies involved add another layer of difficulty. Unlike car accidents, truck accidents often involve federal regulations, multiple responsible parties, and larger stakes due to the severity of injuries and property damage.Â
At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, we’ve built our reputation on winning cases just like these. Our team has the knowledge and resources to identify the root causes of truck accidents and know how to stand up to trucking companies in order to fight for maximum compensation for our clients. With our experienced attorneys by your side, you can turn these challenges into opportunities to achieve justice and rebuild your life.
The Severity of Injuries & Damages in Truck Accidents
The aftermath of a truck accident is often devastating, leaving victims and their families grappling with unimaginable pain and loss. A fully loaded truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which is almost 20 times that of an average car. This massive disparity amplifies the force of impact and usually results in catastrophic injuries. Families are often burdened with mounting medical bills, lost wages, and the long-term care costs of recovery.
For those who lose a loved one, the grief is compounded by the need to seek justice and accountability in a highly complex legal system that often prioritizes the interests of trucking companies over individual victims. Understanding the physical, financial, and emotional trauma that these accidents leave on their surviving victims is about advocating for victims to receive the support and compensation they need to begin rebuilding their lives.
Identifying Multiple Liable Parties in Truck Accidents
Determining liability in a truck accident is often more complex than in standard motor vehicle collisions. Unlike a car accident, where one or two drivers are commonly at fault, truck accidents may involve several parties, each bearing partial or full responsibility. Since commercial trucking operations consist of multiple components, each step in the process invites potential negligence. Without a proper investigation, it can be challenging to pinpoint exactly who contributed to the accident and having your own legal representation will ensure that there is someone investigating the accident who has your best interests at heart and not a major trucking corporation’s.
Possible liable parties include:
- Truck driver: Negligence such as distracted driving, speeding, or violating hours-of-service regulations.
- Trucking company: Failing to screen drivers properly, enforce safety protocols, or maintain their fleet.
- Vehicle manufacturer: Producing defective parts, such as faulty brakes or tires, which contribute to the accident.
- Cargo loaders: Improperly securing or overloading cargo, causing imbalances or spills.
- Maintenance providers: Overlooking or failing to address mechanical issues during inspections or repairs.
Truck accidents often involve more than one responsible party, from the truck driver to the trucking company, cargo loaders, or even vehicle manufacturers. Each of these parties may share liability for the accident, and identifying them all is crucial to securing the full compensation you deserve.
Navigating Federal & State Trucking Regulations
The trucking industry operates under a unique set of laws and regulations designed to maintain road safety and accountability. Navigating these regulations requires an experienced attorney who understands how these laws impact trucking accident claims. One of the most critical components is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which enforces national commercial trucking standards.
FMCSA regulations cover a wide range of safety measures, such as maintaining proper vehicle inspections, ensuring drivers hold valid commercial driver’s licenses, and monitoring hours-of-service (HOS) compliance. HOS regulations set strict limits on how long a driver can operate their vehicle without taking mandated rest breaks. These rules are geared toward preventing driver fatigue, the leading cause of catastrophic truck accidents.
When any of these laws are violated, they become pivotal in determining liability for an accident, as violations can directly correlate to unsafe driving conditions. By leveraging a deep understanding of both federal and state laws, an attorney can help victims pursue justice and obtain the compensation they deserve to move forward.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
After experiencing and surviving a severe truck accident, the steps you take immediately following can be crucial to your physical health and also the strength of your personal injury case. In the chaos of the scene, prioritizing your safety is vital; get to somewhere safe and always seek medical attention even if you don’t feel injured. Then, you can work on taking the proactive legal steps that can help you secure compensation later.
Be sure to always:
- Call emergency services
- Seek medical attention
- Document the scene with photos, videos, and notes
- Exchange information with anyone involved
- Gather witness statements and contact information
- Contact an experienced truck accident attorney
- Inform your insurance company and only give factual statements
Your recovery and future should take priority, and hiring an experienced truck accident attorney can be a critical step in that process. An attorney will guide you through filing your claim, handle the complexities of the legal system, and fight for the compensation you deserve. With their support, you can focus on rebuilding your life with confidence and peace of mind.
Contacting an Experienced Attorney
The weight of such a traumatic moment is not something anyone should have to carry alone. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed as you process what has happened and begin to think about what comes next. With the support of Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, you can take meaningful steps toward recovery and a better future. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, you don’t have to face this difficult time on your own. Contact us today; we will stand by your side and help you through every step of the legal process.
