If you have been in an accident in Tampa with a commercial truck driver, we highly suggest that you contact a personal injury lawyer before you begin working with insurance companies or lawyers. When you are in an accident with a semi-truck or an 18-wheeler, you are generally dealing with a much more complicated insurance policy, more aggressive lawyers, and a set of standards that do not apply to passenger vehicles because of the increased responsibilities of a commercial driver. As such, any injuries that are sustained from an accident between a truck and a passenger vehicle receive an increased amount of scrutiny.
1800-Injured works with a robust network of experienced personal injury attorneys in Tampa who will work with you through this case to ensure you get the payout you deserve for all damages. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation to get connected with an excellent lawyer immediately, and read more below about what to expect when you are working on a settlement or lawsuit after a truck accident in Tampa.
What Makes a Truck Accident Different?
If you have been in an accident with a semi-truck or 18-wheeler, you may already know some of the immediate differences, such as more damages to your car because of the size difference. However, there are many differences that may not immediately be so obvious. Take a look at a list of differences below:
More Damage
As we mentioned already, one of the most obvious differences between an accident with two passenger cars and an accident with a truck is the additional damages that can be cased. A low-speed crash between two passenger vehicles may end up being a “fender bender,” but if one vehicle is a large shipping truck, the damages could be significant to both property and person. When there are more damages in an accident, there are instantly more complicated procedures to follow during the claims process.
More Regulations
Commercial truck drivers have a much more rigorous licensing procedure, and are issued a CDL license upon completing their commercial driving exams. This CDL license indicates that the driver is prepared to drive with heavy loads, long distances, in control of dangerous vehicles. Each CDL license (Classes A, B, and C) gives a driver a different weight limit that they are legally allowed to operate. If you were in an accident with any vehicle of the following, it is likely that the driver had a CDL license:
- Buses
- Box Trucks
- Dump Trucks
- Tractor-trailers
- Double or Triple Trailers
- Tanker Trucks
- Livestock Transports
- Flatbeds
There are many other situations that may require a driver to have a CDL license, and there are many additional regulations that come with operating a vehicle with that license. For example, commercial truckers must keep a log of the time they have driven, and are restricted to caps throughout a week in order to stay safe.
Bigger Insurance Policies
When a commercial driver is transporting valuable goods or commodities, and operating a more-technical vehicle that poses a greater risk to other drivers, there are obvious reasons that there are larger insurance policies appended to the driver and vehicle. When there is an accident involving a commercial vehicle and commercial insurance policy, these policy amounts could be in excess of $1 million. While these larger insurance policies do protect the drivers, companies, and other drives to a greater dollar amount, it also means that the attorneys working on behalf of the insurance company will work even harder to keep their payments low.
More Complicated Claims Processes
As you now see, commercial insurance policies can be for significantly more money than passenger vehicle policies, and there are many more regulations that commercial drivers must follow to remain compliant to the rules of the road. This means that the claims process will be more complicated as the insurance company reviews each and every aspect of the driver’s compliance, your involvement, and any possible reasons for the crash.
Tampa has many major roads and highways passing through it, and therefore exposes drivers to a greater risk of crashes. This means that truck accidents are a reality in Tampa, and the insurance companies are ready to handle any and all claims with their top legal professionals.
How Much Can I Collect Following a Truck Accident?
There are many different factors that will go into your final claim amount following a truck accident, and when you are paired with an attorney through 1800-injured, they will work with you to seek the compensation you deserve. Below are some of the basic factors that you and your attorney will seek payments for. Keep in mind that every accident is different, and that you and your lawyer will work to create a case specific to you.
Medical Bills
Medical bills that are a result of your accident are one of the first things that you and your attorney will factor into the damages you are owed. This includes anything associated with medical treatment, from surgeries to medications, and anything in between. If you have not completely recovered yet, you will additionally factor in any future medical bills and recovery costs as well.
Lost Wages
In addition to medical bills, your recovery will likely limit your ability to work, at all or at least to full capacity. In either case, you and your attorney will determine any work that you have been unable to perform because of your accident and injuries, and factor those into your claim. Like your medical bills, you will also determine if there are any future lost wages to consider as well.
Many Other Factors
There are many other factors that you will discuss with your attorney, such as your pain and suffering, diminished quality of life, and a variety of other economic and non-economic damages that you may argue that you are owed following your accident.
Contact Us Today
1800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service. Before you begin the claims process following a truck accident in Tampa, work with 1800-Injured to get connected with a qualified, experienced personal injury attorney who is ready to take your case. You do not deserve to suffer without compensation after your injury, and working with a professional is the best way to ensure that you will get what you are owed.