Traffic accidents involving commercial trucks cause thousands of injuries each year. The size and weight of commercial trucks leads to catastrophic odds for the passengers in smaller vehicles. One out of every eight highway-related deaths in the U.S. involves large commercial trucks.

According to the Department of Transportation, leading contributors to commercial truck accidents include:

  • Problems with brakes
  • Traffic interruption
  • Driver fatigue
  • Excessive speed
  • External distraction
  • Illegal Maneuvers
  • Inadequate surveillance
  • Inattention
  • Misjudgment of other vehicle’s speed
  • Overweight
  • Tailgating

Immediately after the accident

Due to size disparities, collision between a commercial truck and passenger vehicle is likely to result in serious injuries and significant property damage.
Follow these general guideline surrounding your accident:

  • Report the accident immediately
  • Provide only the basic details about the accident
  • Do not admit fault
  • Seek medical attention immediately
  • File a police report and obtain a copy
  • File your insurance claim
  • Give only the basic facts of your accident to the insurance adjuster
  • Do not provide any tape recording or written statement until after talking to an experienced lawyer

Why you need representation

Although the trucking industry is regulated, there are many complicated state and federal laws that commercial truck companies can easily deny your claim because of a technicality. Most commercial trucks are covered by insurance policies that are usually valued at fifty-times the coverage of a passenger car.

Insurance companies that insure commercial trucks have a team of defense attorneys ready to respond to any accident to protect their interests. The same insurance companies also employ a team of investigators who are on call 24-hours a day that respond to an accident before the accident has cleared. There hope is to find a technicality to use in denying your claim.

Before the authorities have even left the accident, the trucking company and their insurance carrier are ready to fight. Therefore, you should be looking for an experienced team to help build your claim.

Here to help

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a commercial truck, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your injuries by bringing a legal claim against the responsible parties. At The Cochran Firm, we will evaluate your claim at no charge. There is no obligation, and the consultation could make all the difference in your claim.

(Originally posted by The Cochran Firm Philadelphia)