Tucking accidents aren’t simple fender-benders. Semi-trucks travel on the highway at speeds of a minimum of 55 miles per hour and can carry loads upwards of 80,000 pounds. The sheer force behind a semi-truck can cause severe injuries and even death when they collide with the much smaller cars, trucks, and SUVs that most people drive. The severity of these collisions along can make trucking accident claims complex, but there are usually several different corporate entities and insurance companies involved in a claim. If you’re ever involved in a trucking accident, it’s important that you have an experienced, attentive, and knowledgeable attorney who knows how to assess and respond to the complexities of a trucking accident claim. You deserve to have your rights protected, and just compensation for your injuries.
Most semi-trucks on the road today have electric control modules, or EMCs, which record data relating to the speed, braking, and acceleration of the vehicle. Additionally, many trucking companies install GPS devices in trucks that record data related to the location of the vehicle, the time the vehicle was in a location, and how many hours it was on the road. These recording devices can be important evidence in a trucking accident claim.
There are also federal and state laws that require truck drivers and trucking companies to follow certain guidelines to reduce the risk of an accident occurring. These laws require truck drivers to get enough rest and require specific, regular maintenance. They also require drivers and companies have proof that they are following these laws in the form of log books and maintenance logs.
All this evidence is important to collect because there are many players involved in a trucking accident. There can be multiple be at-fault for a trucking accident, including:
- The owner of the truck
- The owner of the trailer
- The driver of the truck
- The shipper or the company who loaded the truck
- The lessee of the truck
- The lessee of the trailer
- The manufacturer of the truck or its component parts
- The manufacturer of the trailer or its component parts
Each of these parties will have their own insurance provider and their own insurance agents and investigators involved in the claim. They’ll each try to claim the other was responsible for the accident. This can make it difficult and time consuming to get a claim settled, or even to obtain all the evidence and facts necessary to pursue a claim.
A car accident is always a stressful situation. A trucking accident can be far worse, and far more complicated. If you’ve been in a trucking accident, call the lawyers at Fasig Brooks today to ensure that you have attorneys who know how to navigate the complex process of a trucking accident claim.
