Given the overwhelming size and weight of large commercial trucks, crashes with big rigs may prove devastating for occupants in passenger vehicles. Injured parties are often left with severe injuries, mounting medical expenses, lost time at work, and other financial burdens. Beyond facing the stress of serious property damage and catastrophic injuries, those involved in truck accidents must deal with complex insurance companies. Trucking companies are represented by insurance carriers with high bodily injury liability limits. For this reason, insurers often dispute claims or even deny them. Trucking firms also have defense counsel to protect their bottom line against personal injury and wrongful death settlements.

If you were injured in a big rig crash, our Lathrop truck accident lawyers can support you through the challenging claims process. To learn more, call us today at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 to receive free, friendly advice on your potential personal injury case.

While the losses you may have suffered may seem straightforward, the claims process for recovering fair compensation can be challenging. An experienced Lathrop truck accident attorney from our law firm can evaluate your potential claim to determine whether you have a valid case. We offer free consultations and handle cases on a contingency fee basis. You only pay attorney’s fees if we recover fair compensation in your truck accident case.

Big rig crashes are much different from collisions involving passenger vehicles. This is due to a wide array of factors, such as:

• Big Rig Crashes Often Result in Catastrophic Injuries or Wrongful Death: Commercial trucks are heavier and larger than personal cars, which often lead to severe injury or fatality in some extreme cases. Injuries from a semi-truck collision may include amputation, disfigurement, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury, which may require life-long care and rehabilitation. Such injuries from truck accidents are often costly to treat.
• More Parties Involved in Truck Accident Cases: More than one party may be held financially accountable for a big rig crash. Beyond the trucker, the trucking firm, the truck manufacturer, the cargo loader, and other entities may share liability for what occurred based on the facts and circumstances of the case. This may make it more challenging to determine who is responsible for damages incurred and how to properly apportion negligence.
• Dealing with Difficult Insurers: The insurance company representing each at-fault party may attempt to avoid paying their share of liability for the semi-truck crash by pinpointing blame on injured parties and decedents. In such scenarios, compelling evidence, including an independent investigation of the incident, is often necessary for proving who was at fault. Retaining a skilled Lathrop truck accident attorney is necessary for immediately sending letters of preservation of evidence to negligent parties to ensure all documentation and evidence for the case is not destroyed.
• Large Commercial Trucks Have Higher Bodily Injury Liability Limits: Federal and state regulations require big rigs to carry higher bodily injury liability limits than passenger cars due to the potential of causing more damage in a truck accident. In other words, if you were injured or lost a loved one in a big rig crash, more compensation is typically available to cover damages incurred. However, with high stakes, insurance companies representing trucking firms often use defense tactics to avoid paying out claims. If you find yourself in this situation, request free, friendly advice from an experienced Lathrop truck accident lawyer today.

Handling claims against negligent truck drivers and trucking companies is challenging. The legal process should be left to a skilled truck accident attorney with the experience and resources needed to build a strong case for fair compensation to present to insurance companies, defense counsel, and civil court. Contact our law firm today for additional information on how we can make a difference in your big rig crash case.

Compensation in a truck accident injury claim will generally consider past and future damages related to the big rig crash. However, the case’s value will depend on the facts and circumstances involved. Common types of economic and non-economic damages in these cases include:

• Past and future medical expenses that are deemed reasonable and necessary
• Lost wages during recovery from the big rig crash
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Permanent disability accommodations
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage

If you lost a loved one in a fatal big rig crash, no amount of money can undo the pain or ever make up for your loss. However, compensation from a wrongful death claim is intended to make you and your family whole again by covering:

• End-of-life medical care costs
• Expenses for funeral and burial services
• Loss of care, companionship, and protection
• Lost wages, future earnings, benefits, inheritance, and services provided by the decedent

Do not accept any settlement offer from the insurance carrier without speaking to an experienced Lathrop truck accident lawyer about the facts and circumstances of your case. Immediate wrongful death settlement offers from the insurance company usually will not consider the full amount of damages you and your family have suffered. You also do not want to risk signing away your legal rights for the full and fair compensation you rightfully deserve. Watch the video below for more details on the truck accident claims process.

Under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, a claimant has to file a lawsuit two years after the big rig crash. If the claimant does not settle their case with the insurance company within the filing deadline or fails to file suit before the statute of limitations expires, the case may be dismissed by the court, and the right to recovery of damages may be lost.

However, it is essential to immediately consult with an experienced attorney to ensure evidence is gathered and preserved before it is destroyed or lost. The sooner an injury lawyer can start working on your truck accident claim, the better outcome for your case.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 10.2.23] Photo Source: By “markusspiske” via Pixabay ds [cs 1039] cha}