Many people who have been seriously injured in a truck accident mistakenly assume that a car accident and a commercial truck accident are very much the same. This is a mistake. The two are very different and require a different approach. One key difference, for example, is that if you are injured in a trucking accident, you may find you need the services of an attorney right away.
There are several significant issues that make these two types of collisions significantly different:
1) Commercial truck accidents have more parties involved.
When you’re involved in a car accident in Hollywood or any South Florida community, there may only be two parties involved – you and the other driver. In a commercial truck accident, however, there are likely multiple potential liable parties involved. You may be dealing with the truck driver, the truck carrier, the company whose goods are being transported, the truck manufacturer, the company loading the cargo, and more. Multiple liable parties can make the case more complex.
2) The parties involved in commercial truck accidents have more resources.
It’s not just that commercial truck collisions have more potential liable parties involved — these parties tend to be more powerful. Large truck companies, for example, may have teams of attorneys working for them. Generally, they’re protected by very large insurance plans, so insurance companies are willing to invest a lot of effort and money into these claims. There may be professional truck associations involved defending the truck driver or truck carrier. If everyone else involved has a team of attorneys or other resources on their side, you as the injured party certainly deserve the same.
3) The injuries from a commercial truck accident are more likely to be severe.
Fuel truck fires, rollovers, squeeze play accidents, and other devastating accidents are not uncommon with commercial truck accidents. These types of accidents can cause devastating injuries, including lifelong injuries. Severe injuries are always more complex because they require more substantial financial compensation for the victim, something that insurance companies will not always acknowledge right away.
4) You may face more pressure to accept a small, fast offer.
The company is involved in a commercial truck accident don’t want the truck accident to affect their name brand or their reputation. Often, they want to settle the complaint quickly. At the same time, they want to pay out less than the full amount because they are a business and don’t want to lose money on a truck accident.
For all of these reasons, it’s important to consult with a truck accident attorney in Hollywood or your community. An attorney can step in and pursue all liable parties if you decide to file a claim. An attorney can also tell you whether you have a claim and can help you make decisions to help you pursue compensation.
If you have been injured in a trucking accident anywhere in South Florida, you can always reach the law offices of Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation. Our attorneys have been helping plaintiffs in the South Florida area for years. In fact, our legal staff has more than 60 years of combined experience negotiating settlements and settling cases in court.