Big Rig Accident Injury: What To Do For A Truck Accident Claim

If you are involved in an accident with a big rig crash or another type of commercial motor vehicle, your accident injury claim will be handled differently than if you simply collided with another car, van, or pickup truck. The liability limits are much higher, and you are more likely to deal with more than one insurance or other company.

Rush Settlements Rarely Occur

After a major trucking accident with a semi or other type of big rig, it is easy to want to rush the process of your accident/injury claim through all of the red tape.

In the meantime, you need to consider that you might not know the extent of your financial need for compensation right away. You need to wait and see:

1. The scope of your total injuries, as some medical issues do show up right away
2. How your job and future wages/income will be affected
3. The affect on your personal life
4. The short-term and long-term treatment that may be necessary
5. The psychological toll

All of these factors will need to be considered, in order to adequately represent and recoup the financial compensation you deserve because of the big rig accident and injury.

No Two Truck Accident Cases Are Alike

Although you can go to the law books and look up what precedents may have been established in the past for truck accident settlements, no two accidents and injury claims, with a commercial vehicle, are the same. For example, two people driving the same make and model of car can have an accident with a semi truck; the accident can even be on the same stretch of highway, on the same day, approximately at the same time, and the awards may be very different for each truck accident lawsuit.

The amount you are compensated depends on many variables. For instance, do you currently have a job with physically demanding duties that you will no longer be able to perform because of the accident; or, will you still be able to work but with shorter hours or on "light duty"? Will you need job training or a college education, in order to have a job in the future? Will you have to be on disability for the rest of your life?

Your personal compensation depends on:

1. Past and future medical bills
2. Your ability to work again—lost wages/income
3. The extent of your injuries, pain, and suffering
4. Property damage, rental car and other losses

Effect of Injury on Your Future

In short, the specifics of a truck accident claim often depend on the future. What bills will you need to pay off in the future; how will it affect your family in the future; will you be able to work in the future; is your car totally repaired or replaced and the rental car paid in full; and, how much pain and suffering will you likely go through in the future? You need to think of your future before rushing into a settlement today.

Getting Legal Help for a Truck Accident Injury

If you have been involved in a big rig accident, getting experienced legal help from a trucking accident attorney is essential to protect your liability and compensation rights. The insurance and truck companies do not represent you and will not be looking out for your best interests. You will likely be encouraged to settle for a lot less than you truly deserve; and they will surely be glad to settle for less than you may deserve.

A qualified accident and injury lawyer will make help you get fully compensated for what is happening now-- and in the future.

• The content of this article is provided for informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal advice. If you need help with a Truck Accident claims, consult an experienced trucking accident attoney from the law offices of Gordon & Elias, L.L.P. by calling TOLL FREE: 800 - 773 - 6770 OR by filling out the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page.