Truck Accidents and Your Rights

Every item in your home, every product you buy, likely spent time in the back of a truck. Without these big vehicles, our supply chains would collapse, yet their size and weight make them one of the most dangerous vehicles on the road.

Truck accidents are not car accidents. The injuries are more severe, the legal battles are more complicated, and the insurance companies are more aggressive. Getting your dues can be tough, and that’s why speaking to personal injury attorney Felix Gonzalez of Felix Gonzalez Accident and Injury Law Firm can be useful. In this article, we’ll explain why truck accidents happen, who may be liable, and what you should do to protect yourself.

Why Truck Accidents Are More Complicated Than Car Accidents 

Truck accidents have multiple layers of liability. It’s not just the driver; it’s trucking companies, cargo loaders, and even vehicle manufacturers.

These vehicles are harder to maneuver, take longer to stop, and have stricter federal regulations to determine who’s at fault. Here are the factors that make truck accidents more complicated:

• Size and impact: A fully loaded truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, nearly 20 times more than the average passenger car. The force of impact in a crash often results in catastrophic injuries, extensive vehicle damage, and in extreme cases, fatalities.
• Stricter federal regulations: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has strict rules for companies and drivers. These cover hours of service, maintenance, and cargo safety.
• Multiple liable parties: Unlike a car accident, where the driver is usually at fault, truck accident liability can stretch to multiple parties:
  • The truck driver 
  • The trucking company 
  • The vehicle manufacturer 
  • Cargo loaders

For these reasons, trucking companies and their insurance providers will fight hard to limit liability because the stakes are high. It's important to understand your rights and ensure you’re not pressured into an unfair settlement.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

One mistake behind the wheel of a commercial truck can set off a deadly chain reaction. Here’s how common trucking errors lead to major crashes:

• Driver fatigue: Truck drivers often work under tight deadlines, causing exhaustion and slower reaction times, much like driving under the influence. 
• Distracted driving: Even a moment of distraction can lead to disaster, whether it's texting, eating, or adjusting a GPS.
• Speeding and reckless driving: The sheer size of a truck means it needs more time to stop. So, if the driver is speeding to make up for lost time, it could lead to a dangerous situation for both them and other road users.
• Poor vehicle maintenance: Faulty brakes, tire blowouts, and steering issues can make even an experienced driver lose control of the vehicle.
• Improper cargo loading: Overloaded or unbalanced cargo can lead to rollovers or lost loads, causing crashes.

Your Rights After a Truck Accident

Insurance companies won’t tell you this, but truck accident victims have powerful legal rights. Knowing them can mean the difference between a full recovery and a financial nightmare.

• Right to medical care: Seeking medical attention protects your health and provides official medical records, which strengthen your claim.
• The right to legal representation: Most trucking companies have aggressive legal teams tasked with minimizing their liability. An experienced truck accident attorney will protect your rights, handle all negotiations, and gather the evidence needed to build a case.
• The right to compensation: If the crash was a result of another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to:
  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering 
  • Property damage

Conclusion

Truck accidents bring confusion, stress, and uncertainty, but staying clear-headed can help you secure fair compensation for medical bills and lost wages. Start by seeking medical attention and acknowledging the fact that some injuries may take time to be apparent. Insurance adjusters are not your friends. It's better to let your attorney deal with negotiations. Whether it's for yourself or your loved one, taking the right legal and medical steps will lay the foundation for a smoother recovery.