Accidents involving commercial vehicles, or vehicles owned by a business, are far more complex than typical car accidents. Commercial vehicles include delivery trucks, 18-wheelers, dump trucks, and very large and heavy trucks. The reason these accidents are more complex is that there are many laws and rules that apply to commercial vehicles that do not apply to personal vehicles, like your car. In many cases, there are both state and federal laws and rules that the drivers of commercial vehicles must comply with. This is where the experienced commercial truck accident lawyers at Dan Chapman and Associates, LLC can help. We hold commercial drivers accountable for violating the laws and rules under state and federal law, and in doing so we help our clients obtain full compensation for the harms and losses suffered in a crash with a commercial vehicle.
In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about accident settlements involving commercial vehicles.
What Makes Commercial Vehicle Accidents Unique?
The stakes are higher in commercial vehicle accidents due to the size and weight of these vehicles, which can lead to devastating consequences. But there’s another layer of complexity: the involvement of commercial entities. Unlike personal car accidents, these cases often involve multiple parties, higher insurance coverage, and complex federal rules and regulations on what the companies and drivers must do to maintain safety.
Determining Liability in a Commercial Vehicle Accident
Understanding who is responsible is key to pursuing a successful claim against the driver of a commercial vehicle. However, pinpointing liability can sometimes be challenging in commercial vehicle accidents. Common scenarios include:
- Driver error, such as fatigue, distraction, or impaired driving.
- Employer negligence, including failure to train drivers or encouraging safe driving practices.
- Mechanical failures, where the manufacturer or maintenance provider could share responsibility.
- Cargo-related issues, such as improperly loaded or unsecured freight.
An experienced lawyer who understands the requirements and restrictions on these drivers and vehicles can find multiple violations of safety practices and requirements that will build a strong case for you, usually resulting in a much larger amount of compensation at the time of settlement.
Steps to Take After a Commercial Vehicle Accident
If you’ve been in an accident involving a commercial vehicle, your immediate actions can significantly affect your claim. Here’s what you should do:
- Ensure safety and check for injuries.
- Call emergency services to file a police report and seek medical attention.
- Document the scene by taking photos and videos, and gathering witness contact information.
- Avoid discussing fault with anyone on-site or the insurance company.
- Consult a lawyer as soon as possible. Commercial vehicle insurers have teams on standby to investigate crashes and gather evidence to help them hold down the damages they might have to pay. You need a legal team like Dan Chapman & Associates because we also have accident reconstruction experts and investigators on standby to help our clients.
The Role of a Commercial Vehicle Wreck Lawyer
An experienced attorney is your greatest ally in securing a full and fair settlement. Here’s how a lawyer can help:
- We have experts, many who are former law enforcement, who conduct investigations into the cause of the accident, including doing accident reconstruction at the scene and on the damaged vehicles, and who can download the electronic data from the vehicles involved in the crash to show things like speed, braking and steering before and during the crash..
- We have experts who can analyze the electronic driver logs and driver employment files to find violations of state and federal laws and rules.
- We know of to find and calculate all of your compensable damages, including medical bills, lost wages, disabilities and pain and suffering.
- We have a lot of experience negotiating with the commercial vehicle insurance companies to get top settlements, and when necessary we have the skills to litigate the claims in court to win.
What Compensation Can You Expect?
Settlements in commercial vehicle accidents can be substantial, but the amount of money we can recover depends on various factors. The most common factors that increase settlement values are serious injuries, high medical expenses, permanent disability, lost income, and clear violations of safety rules and regulations. In some cases, courts may award punitive damages for egregious conduct, such as driving impaired or hit and run.
Take the First Step Toward Justice
Recovering from a commercial vehicle accident is never easy, but you don’t have to go through it alone. By partnering with Dan Chapman and Associates, LLC, you can focus on healing while we handle the legal complexities. Whether you’re dealing with a powerful trucking company or a reluctant insurance provider, our team is here to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Dan Chapman and Associates, LLC?
At Dan Chapman and Associates, LLC, we’re committed to protecting the rights of accident victims. Our legal team consists of experienced accident lawyers, paralegals and industry experts to work together to fight for you. We understand the complexities of these cases and have a proven track record of securing large settlements for our clients. Here’s why clients trust us:
- Personalized attention for every case.
- Extensive resources.
- You owe nothing unless we win your case.
