Let’s face it. We all think about semi truck accidents while driving long distances on interstate highways. Everywhere you turn, there’s another semi truck driver in your field of vision. From the time we’re young, people warn us about the dangers of commercial vehicles. Accidents involving these vehicles range from mild fender-benders to catastrophic in nature. Their ability to cause great damage comes from their size and cargo weight. After an accident with a semi truck, you’ll probably ask, “How much can I get from the settlement?”
At Gordon & Gordon, we believe that those who suffer injuries or property damage in a semi truck accident deserve compensation for their losses. We’re here to explore what causes semi truck accidents, how we determine fault in a case, what the average semi truck accident settlement is, and much more. If you’re in need of a Shreveport personal injury attorney, Gordon & Gordon is here for you. To schedule your appointment, call 318-716-HELP today. We don’t get a cent unless you get a settlement.
What Causes Truck Accidents?
Just like car accidents, semi truck accidents happen as a result of many, many factors. Roads that these trucks drive on are often busy, and they spend much more time on the road than the average person. After all, it is their job to drive. However, just because it’s their job, that doesn’t mean they don’t make mistakes. Below, our Shreveport 18-wheeler accident attorneys outline common causes of trucking accidents.
- Distracted driving. Even truck drivers experience distractions. Cell phones, outside distractions, and other elements contribute to distracted driving.
- Fatigue. Semi truck drivers work long and irregular hours, as they earn more money the more miles they drive. Companies require drivers to limit the number of hours they spend on the road in a day, but sometimes this isn’t enough. After a long day, a driver may experience fatigue and increases their chances of getting into an accident.
- Impaired driving. Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol while behind the wheel is extremely dangerous, especially for semi trucks. Sometimes, due to their schedules, truckers lead solitary lives. This unfortunately opens the door for drugs and alcohol for some people, and in turn, accidents.
- Poor judgment. To err is human. However, mistakes have the potential to turn catastrophic when semi trucks are involved. Their size and weight make them especially dangerous to other drivers on the road.
- Speeding. Speeding is dangerous for any vehicle, but especially for semi trucks due to their size and weight.
- Lack of training/experience. Driving a semi truck takes a special license, certification, and training. Those who lack the proper training for driving large, heavy vehicles are much more likely to make mistakes or cause accidents.
- Failing to obey traffic laws. Due to the pressure of making more money for driving more miles, truckers might be tempted to disobey traffic laws or posted signs. This is both dangerous and illegal, but not everyone adheres to traffic laws as closely as they should.
How Is Fault Determined After a Truck Accident?
In order to determine fault for your semi truck accident settlement, you need an experienced attorney to review all the facts of your case. This involves collecting a multitude of things, including police reports, evidence, and witness statements. At Gordon & Gordon, we handle every single case with care, and we use the evidence to your advantage. Below, we outline what we take into consideration when determining who is to blame for your accident.
- Truck driver. As we stated before, truck drivers are not perfect, even though their job is to drive. People make mistakes, but trucking mistakes can have catastrophic consequences.
- Trucking company. These companies are responsible for running background checks and ensuring that their drivers receive proper training. If the trucking company hires an unqualified driver, they may be liable for the accident.
- Maintenance company. Large semi trucks require a lot of care and maintenance. If the company responsible for that maintenance fails to do their job properly, they may be liable for the accident.
- Manufacturing company. Companies that manufacture semi trucks and their component parts also have a duty to make sure that their products are safe. If a manufacturing company’s product was defective and caused an accident, they may be held liable.
- Shipping or loading company. Cargo companies have a responsibility to load materials into a truck in a safe manner. If the way they loaded the truck resulted in an accident, they may be held liable.
How Are Damages Determined After a Truck Accident?
A good personal injury attorney will take into account every available detail while handling your case. At Gordon & Gordon, we believe in getting our clients the best settlement they deserve. Depending on the nature of the accident, you have the potential for a significant semi truck accident settlement. Below, we detail the damages we consider while valuing your case.
- Current and future medical bills. We consider any and all medical bills resulting from your accident. This includes immediate medical attention, as well as future bills for continuing treatment.
- Medications. Sometimes, victims of semi truck accidents require expensive medications to manage their pain or to recover from medical treatments. We take all of these medications into consideration.
- Current and future lost wages or income. Many times, victims are unable to return to work for either a short or extended period of time after their accident. We consider all income lost due to your accident.
- Pain and suffering. Semi truck accidents can be physically traumatizing, and we take into account how much pain and suffering you endured after the accident while valuing your case.
- Disability or disfigurement. Semi truck accidents sometimes result in disability or disfigurement of the body. These results come with their own medical bills, often recurring.
- Loss of consortium. Catastrophic accidents have the potential to negatively affect one’s marriage. In this case, we take marital damages into consideration.
- Emotional distress. Bad accidents sometimes result in high levels of emotional distress, or even PTSD. In these cases, we take this into consideration.
What Kind of Settlement Can I Expect?
In reality, there is no way to determine what the “average” is for a semi truck accident settlement. However, we work with our clients very closely in determining the value of their case. Whether you experienced a mild fender-bender or a devastating crash, Gordon & Gordon Law Firm is here for you. We consider every single detail, large or small, when fighting to get you just compensation. Someone else’s negligence shouldn’t result in your financial insecurity.
How Can a Shreveport Truck Accident Lawyer Help?
Calling a Shreveport semi truck accident settlement attorney right after your accident will help in countless ways. Because of the potential money at stake, it’s a good idea to call a personal injury attorney sooner rather than later. From the very beginning, our attorneys at Gordon & Gordon pledge to guide you through the stressful process of a semi truck accident settlement. We’re extremely proud of the reputation we have built over the years and throughout the Arklatex area. Not only do we make sure that insurance companies take us seriously, we’ll make sure they take you seriously. To schedule your consultation, give us a call at 318-716-HELP.