Are Trucking Accident Cases Different Than Cases Involving Other Types Of Vehicles?

Have you or a loved one been injured in a motor vehicle accident involving a large or commercial truck? Are you struggling to recover from traumatic injuries sustained in the accident? If so, you need an experienced network of physicians and attorneys to support you through this crisis. It is important that you know you and your family are not alone in this struggle — there is support and help available to you during this difficult time.

The Levinson Law Group can provide you with the legal support you need as you and your family adjust to this life-changing event. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling trucking accident cases. We accept cases on a contingent fee. That means that if there is no recovery in your case you pay no fee. And in most cases, we even advance the costs. For your free consultation, call (760) 642-5475 today.

Why Is My Trucking Accident Case Different from Other Vehicle Accident Cases?

Most personal injury attorneys handle vehicle accidents; however, not all attorneys have experience with trucking accident cases. Trucking accident cases are different from other vehicle accidents for several reasons. While there are several differences that making trucking accident cases unique, the main difference is the accident investigation process.

The Accident Investigation Process is Different in a Trucking Accident Case

• You Must Act Quickly

Accident investigations are very important in all vehicle accidents; however, in a trucking accident case, an attorney must act quickly in order to identify and preserve vital information to prove liability. Typically, trucking accident cases are “high dollar” cases for insurance companies because the injuries sustained in these types of accidents are so severe. Therefore, trucking companies and insurance companies have teams who respond to truck accidents within hours of the accident to perform “damage control” to try to decrease liability. Your attorney must be able to act quickly as soon as you contact him.

• Gathering and Preserving Evidence

In some cases, key evidence can be destroyed or lost. For example, every commercial truck should have a black box that records all of the truck’s information immediately prior to the accident. This information is often very important to prove fault on the part of the driver or company. An attorney must act quickly to preserve the information on the black box before it is destroyed or erased. Furthermore, evidence on the truck itself must be preserved quickly before the truck is repaired or destroyed.

• Hiring Experts

In many cases, experts will be required to assist the attorney during the accident investigation in trucking accident cases. Attorneys who handle these types of cases have built a network of experts who can assist the attorney in proving liability. For example, accident reconstructionists may be required in order to determine exactly how the accident occurred to establish that the truck driver was at fault. Because injuries in trucking accident cases tend to be traumatic and life-changing, medical experts and financial experts may be required to substantiate the extent of the damages suffered by the accident victim.

• Different Laws Apply in Trucking Accident Cases

The trucking industry is regulated by federal and state laws specific to commercial trucking. These laws and regulations can substantially affect the outcome of a trucking accident case. Because motor carrier regulations and trucking laws are complex, it is better to hire an attorney with experience in trucking accident cases who already knows and understands these laws and regulations.