Unless you’ve seen the view from a big rig, it’s hard to imagine how small the road and the cars on it look to the drivers. These drivers have to be very highly-trained and have to be able to handle unwieldy, dangerous vehicles in all types of weather and traffic conditions. In some cases, a big rig collision can turn fatal, and most of the truck drivers out there understand the gravity of what their job entails. There are some drivers, however, and some trucking companies, that don’t take these responsibilities seriously and, oftentimes, people end up suffering as a result of that.
A big rig crash is particularly dangerous simply because of the weight of the vehicle involved. When a big rig goes out of control, there are few things that can stop it. Unless it happens to hit a natural or road barrier, it’s likely to take out several vehicles before it stops. In these cases, the drivers of those vehicles may be seriously hurt or killed. All too often, it turns out that there is blame to go around where the cause of the accident is concerned. In some cases, the company may try to discourage you from seeking compensation.
The reason for this is that, sometimes, the trucking company may be negligent. Their trucks and drivers may not be up to par. Make sure you avoid semis that seem to be driving erratically. Get away from them as soon as possible. Also be on the lookout for drivers who are showing the signs of fatigue. These include drifting between lanes and driving at erratic speeds. A vehicle accident lawyer will investigate how much rest the driver had and the maintenance procedures followed, or not followed, for the vehicle they were driving at the time of the crash.
A truck accident lawyer may be able to help you win compensation for your pain and suffering through a jury award or a settlement. A settlement is negotiated out of court with the party you’re suing. It will usually be a bit less than the jury award being sought, but it also allows you to avoid paying court costs. If the case goes to trial, your lawyer will make sure that you’re well prepared to face the jury and that you have all the resources you need to back up your case and to seek compensation.
