Did you know that there are different types of settlements depending on the type of vehicles involved in a car crash? Truck accident settlements, for example, have extra factors that need to be taken into account that a regular personal injury settlement may not.
At Dussault + Zatir, our legal team has decades of experience with truck accidents and helping to get people’s lives in order after what is often a life changing event. Accidents involving two or more cars or regular passenger vehicles differ from trucking accidents in a few ways.
Firstly, most accidents involving two or more regular passenger vehicles happen at night. When it comes to trucking accidents, ⅔ of those accidents happen in broad daylight, in a rural area, and occur over the weekend. Additionally, over 10% of the trucking accidents that result in a fatality have rollovers listed as a part of the accident. Secondly, it is necessary to prove that a truck driver themselves is at fault for the accident in order for a significant monetary settlement to be made. It’s found that about 75% of trucking accidents result from surrounding cars and their drivers and not due to the truck driver’s own error, and this plays a part as the case plays out. Passengers and/or drivers of the other vehicle involved in the accident tend to have a better chance of winning the settlement when one or more of the following things have occurred:
The truck driver exhibits carelessness or lack of attention while operating the truck
The truck driver got tired and was acting fatigued
The truck driver was new or had not been properly trained
A traffic law was violated – this can include speeding, running a red light, not using a turn signal or a cell phone was in use not in hands free mode
The truck itself has an issue such as a blown tire or the loss of power steering leading up to the collision If the truck’s cargo was not secured properly or the trailer was not properly attached
Thirdly, the majority of truck drivers involved in these accidents are employed by a company while they’re driving. Some may be independent drivers, but in the case of an accident resulting in a settlement, it could be the employer, not the truck driver themselves who would be held responsible to cover the settlement fees. For the independent truck drivers, it would be their personal insurance company, not that of their employer, who would be held responsible for the settlement fees.
Settlements for accidents caused by trucks usually involve significant costs for both the passengers and driver of the other car, van, or SUVs involved in the accident due to the sheer size difference in the vehicles. These expenses such as medical bills, loss of wages due to injury, the damage or totaling of the victim’s vehicle, even cost for pain and suffering can start to add up. It’s found that expenses from victims that have been involved in a trucking accident can run into the tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
At its simplest, when you or a loved one has been involved in a trucking accident, you are likely entitled to receive compensation. Choosing the right attorney for your case is key, so please don’t hesitate to contact us to speak with one of our experienced attorneys. Over the past two decades, the law offices of Dussault + Zatir have successfully handled hundreds of cases in Massachusetts and Rhode Island involving a wide variety of personal injuries and we’re here for you. Dussault + Zatir, P.C. is prepared to ensure that you receive a full and fair settlement for your injuries. Reach out today! 508-999-2000.