It is a complicated and stressful situation when you get into an accident. Big rig truck accidents can cause untold damages to vehicles and lives. If you or a loved one has been injured in a big rig truck accident, you may be entitled to a range of damages, including medical bills, lost wages, or repair bills.
A Pembroke Pines big rig truck accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can guide you and help you understand your legal rights.
What Can Cause Big Rig Truck Accidents?
Accidents can happen for several reasons. However, determining liability (and ultimately recovering compensation) is crucial for a big rig truck accident victim. Big rig trucks can weigh thousands of pounds, so the fallout from an accident can be enormous. Some common causes of big rig accidents include:
- Impaired Driver. Drugs or alcohol
- Distracted Driver. Texting, eating, talking on the phone
- Fatigued Driver. Many drivers are asked to meet fast deadlines and work long hours. Due to overwork, many of them are not as alert and rested as they should be at the wheel.
- Speeding or Reckless Driving. Because of the pressure on big rig truck drivers, they often feel they need to drive over the speed limit. Big rigs are extremely difficult to stop and even more so at high speeds.
- Inclement Weather. Sudden rain or snow can be dangerous. Ice patches on the road can cause a truck driver to lose control.
- Road Conditions. A sudden lane closure, loose gravel, or traffic can cause deadly accidents.
- Mechanical Failure. Big rig trucks need to be maintained properly. One seemingly minor mechanical issue can cause dangerous conditions on the road.
If you are not sure exactly what caused your accident, a Pembroke Pines truck accident lawyer may be able to advise you and work to find the reason for the accident and identify who is liable.
Potentially Important Evidence
Establishing negligence is essential to recovering compensation. A big rig truck accident victim is usually injured and shaken up after an accident. However, to establish negligence, you must investigate key pieces of evidence. Some of these include:
- The Truck’s “Black Box.” Records the speed of the truck, how recently it had stopped, and other crucial information
- Maintenance Logs for the Truck. This can show whether or not the truck has been appropriately maintained.
- Inspection Records. Again, this can determine whether or not the big rig truck was road safe with secured the cargo.
- Employment Records. Employment records allow you to verify that the driver was employed and in good standing.
- Witness Reports. Contacting a witness from the scene can help provide an objective perspective of the event.
- Driving Record and Certification. Was the driver properly licensed? Do they have a history of reckless driving? A big rig truck accident lawyer will want to know this information.
Accruing this evidence all on your own can be daunting and even overwhelming. The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can work on your behalf to collect all relevant evidence and use it to your advantage.
How Much Can I Recover for My Accident?
Big rig truck accidents can cause different degrees and severities of injuries. Due to the enormous nature of a big rig, injuries can be truly devastating. Generally, a big rig truck accident will have a much larger payout than a typical personal injury case. The amount that you can recover will correlate directly to the severity of your injuries and the costs incurred in your recovery.
You may also be able to receive damages unrelated to medical expenses. In the past, our firm has won compensation for a variety of categories, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Vehicle repair bills
- Rental car costs
- Lost wages
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Estimates of future medical bills
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Estimated lost future income
Determining what compensation (and how much compensation) you can claim can be complex and tricky. A Pembroke Pines big rig truck accident lawyer can help you calculate these numbers accurately and make sure that you get the compensation you need to cover all accident-related expenses.
What Can a Pembroke Pines Big Rig Truck Accident Lawyer Do for Me?
Our experienced team at The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine is ready to go to work for you. We will go to great lengths to fight for the compensation you are entitled to. We can help in the following ways:
- Communicate with the insurance company on your behalf
- Investigate the circumstances leading up to your accident
- Accurately calculate the appropriate amount of compensation to claim
- Prove negligence from either the truck driver, trucking company, or third party
- Negotiate settlement offers
- If necessary, take your case to trial and represent your claim
Will a Big Rig Truck Accident Go to Trial?
When it comes to truck accidents, there are several complicating factors. With these kinds of accidents, an insurance company will make a settlement offer to you directly, with the hope you will take the money and walk away. While this may seem like a large amount of money, it rarely covers what you are entitled to.
In many cases, not taking their first offer will lead to negotiations. The insurance company does not want to go to trial in truck accident cases. Taking a case to trial is expensive. For this reason, some big rig truck accidents do not go to trial. However, if it is necessary to take your case to trial, a Pembroke Pines big rig truck accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can represent you.
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Can Help
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, our firm can represent you throughout the legal claims process. Our team wants to ensure that your rights are protected and fight for the compensation you deserve.
We have the resources necessary to build a strong case on your behalf; we want you to focus on your recovery. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.