Key Points in This Article:

• Understanding the type of claim you are making concerning your truck accident
• Knowing what to do after being in an accident
• Understanding why you may need a lawyer to maximize your truck accident settlement

Were you in an accident where a truck was one of the vehicles involved? Nearly 2 million semi-trucks are operating on the roads in the US. Because of their size, accidents with a semi-truck can be catastrophic.

In 2022, there were over 168,000 accidents involving trucks. Truck accidents can not only cause immense damage to vehicles, but they are also more likely to cause injuries or even be fatal. These accidents are the cause of 11 deaths a day and over 100,000 injuries every year. If you or a loved one have been involved in a truck accident, it’s essential to understand what legal rights you may have in the situation.

Maximizing Truck Accident Settlements

An insurance or legal claim is a way of getting compensated for the damages that occurred during a truck-related accident. The amount you are compensated will come from a settlement or jury verdict.   Truck accident settlements may cover aspects such as car damage, personal injury, wages lost from missed work, pain and suffering,  and more. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, there are a few important things to do to maximize your semi truck accident settlement:

Call Police

Responding officers can take statements from the other driver and any witnesses. They will also gather evidence and file a police report. This report can be key evidence for your claim.

Gather Evidence

After an accident, you may be disoriented. However, it is an essential time to collect evidence if you are safe to do so. If you have any injuries, you should always call 911 before doing anything else.

Evidence can include:

• Photos of the vehicles involved and of the area where the accident took place
• Gathering contact info of any eyewitnesses, such as drivers, passengers, and other bystanders
• After the fact, obtain a copy of the police report

See a Medical Professional

Even if you don’t appear or feel injured, there may be an injury that has not yet presented symptoms. It’s important, in any accident, to seek medical care. A doctor will assess any injuries and discuss potential symptoms that you have not yet noticed. Internal bleeding and some bone breaks may not be immediately painful but are still serious. Additionally, having a medical record of any injuries is an essential aspect of making a claim.

Determine Fault

Reasons accidents happen can include everything from faulty stop lights and driver inattention to intoxicated drivers and poor weather conditions. Because of this, many times it can make it difficult to determine who is at fault. In truck accidents, it may be the driver or the trucking company itself. Truck companies may be at fault if they have negligent hiring practices, poor or limited training for drivers, limited supervision of drivers, and failure to maintain the safety and quality of their vehicle fleet. 

Get a Damage Estimate

A damage estimate on your vehicle will often be the first number that an insurance adjuster looks at when deciding on what would be a fair settlement for your claim.

Talk to a Lawyer

Discussing your claim with a personal injury or accident lawyer is one of the most beneficial things you can do. A truck accident lawyer will fully understand laws regarding trucking in your state, will be able to negotiate with insurance adjusters on your behalf, help you with any important paperwork, and argue your case in court.

Types of Truck Accident Claims

Different claims will be made depending on the type of truck involved, such as semi-truck accidents, commercial trucking accidents, and more. Additionally, you may be filing a claim solely for damage done to your vehicle, a personal injury claim, or in the tragic case of a loved one’s death, a wrongful death claim.

Rhoads & Rhoads – Kentucky Truck Accident Lawyers

Working with an experienced truck accident attorney allows you to have the advice and negotiating expertise of a lawyer or team of lawyers with years of experience making truck accident claims. Additionally, they can assist you, after the fact, in gathering evidence such as police reports or security cam footage from nearby establishments. A lawyer will help you build a strong claim to receive the average truck accident settlement or more for the damage that you have experienced.

At Rhoads & Rhoads, located in Central Kentucky, we have decades of experience with truck accident cases. We want you to feel supported and truly understand the type of claim you may be eligible for, so we provide free initial consultations.

No up-front payment is required from you as we are only paid if we win or settle your truck accident case, so you can feel confident and RISK-FREE when talking to us.  Connect with us at 888-709-9329 to schedule an appointment now.