Semi-truck drivers have federal and state regulations and laws to follow and it takes knowledgeable attorneys to help you sort through the red-tape involved in these cases. Additionally, often the driver of a semi-truck works for some other party, so the liability may settle on different defendants.
Even though semi-trucks are large and are usually intended to travel at the speed limit or slower, especially when fully loaded, drivers are under a great deal of pressure to keep their vehicles and loads on a set schedule.
This pressure can cause drivers to drive faster than they should, and the sheer size and weight of a truck, combined with the speed can make injuries even more perilous. An 80,000 pound tractor-trailer barreling down the highway at 70 miles per hour with a full load will take more than 400 feet to stop in good road conditions.
Being in any kind of automobile accident can be intimidating and scary; if you were injured, the results can be life-altering and not only for you, but also for your dependents and other loved ones. If you have been in an accident involving a semi-truck and were injured, you will need to seek an experienced law firm to offer you reliable assistance in your case.
Was it the driver solely responsible for the accident? Were truck parts or tires faulty? Did the owners of the company allow the driver to take required rests? How much insurance do the parties that will be held responsible have? Will settling make more sense for you, the injured party, or will going to court make more sense?
It is important to have a company with experience on your side to answer these questions when undertaking a personal injury lawsuit against a trucking company. There are more rules and regulations for semi-trucks than for most other vehicles, and determining all parties responsible for the accident takes experience.