Truck Accident Law: Yes, It’s Really A Specialty
If you’ve been wounded in a truck accident, you may ask if you need a lawyer. You may have heard that automobile and truck liability standards are the same, and that’s true—but only for car drivers. When it comes to a commercial vehicle owner or operator, various elements make an accident case more challenging.
It’s A Specialty Because Of Federal Laws And Regulations
Truck accident is a specialty because of the multiple federal laws and regulations that apply to trucking companies, drivers, and carriers. For example:
- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
- The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Regulations
- The Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulations
It’s A Specialty Because Of The Types Of Injuries
Truck accidents are horrific and common. Truck drivers must often spend long hours away from home. This makes them more likely to have an accident than if they worked regular hours closer to home.
When struck by a semi-truck, your body and automobile are harmed. Soft tissue and spinal cord damage can result from truck accidents (SCIs). These injuries are physically and emotionally life-changing. A severe SCI can leave someone paralyzed for life or unable to care for oneself independently; this is life-changingly devastating, especially if it strikes during their prime working years when they should be able to support themselves financially.
It’s A Specialty Because There Are So Many Parties Involved
One of the reasons that truck accident law is a specialty is the sheer number of parties involved in any truck accident. There are so many different parties involved! You have the driver, their employer or company, their insurance company and any other parties who may have been involved in an accident with a truck (like another vehicle). These trucks can weigh tons and travel at high speeds down highways with other cars, so it makes sense that this is something that requires special attention from lawyers who specialize in this area of law.
It’s A Specialty Because Of The Legal Standards
Commercial cars have distinct negligence standards. If you’re hit by a truck, you must establish negligence to obtain damages in court. It’s not hard to sue a trucker. Because trucks are treated differently than cars and motorcyclists on our roadways.
When pursuing an injury claim after being hit by a commercial vehicle (including trucks, buses, limos, and ambulances), you must establish that the driver was negligent and that their carelessness caused your injuries; this is called causation. In certain areas like Florida, this might be challenging because there are so many elements that can cause an accident, including speed, response time, road conditions like wet pavement or ice patches, etc.
In addition to demonstrating carelessness and causation, there may be restrictions on how much money may be recovered from each party involved, such as another driver’s insurance company or a manufacturer of harmful equipment (e.g.: airbags).
A truck accident lawyer Northwest Indiana have the expertise and knowledge to navigate the complex legal process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.