Why Are Semi Truck Accident Cases So Complex?

If you have been seriously injured or lost a loved one in a semi truck accident, it is important that you speak with a lawyer about your legal rights. Serious and fatal truck accidents can leave victims and their families facing substantial losses—and, even if you are clearly entitled to financial compensation, you could end up with nothing if you try to handle your situation on your own.

Semi Truck accident cases are incredibly complex. From the circumstances involved in the accident to the steps involved in filing a successful claim, everything about a semi truck accident can be more complex than an “ordinary” vehicle collision. An experienced truck accident lawyer at Oliver Law Firm can help protect your rights and pursue the maximum compensation you deserve under the law. Our firm works on a contingency basis, which means we handle all the costs upfront to represent you and you pay nothing if a settlement is not reached.

Understanding Why Semi Truck Accident Cases Are So Complex

What makes semi truck accident cases so complex? Here are some of the key factors at play:

1. There Are Often Multiple Factors Involved

Large commercial trucks are complex vehicles that can carry several tons of cargo. Driving them safely requires special skill—along with constant attention to the task at hand. Adequate maintenance is essential as well, as even minor issues with 18-wheelers and other large commercial trucks can lead to serious accidents.

Due to these issues, there are often multiple factors involved in commercial truck accidents.

After a serious or fatal semi truck accident, determining the factors involved is a key step in the recovery process. Was the truck overloaded? Was the truck driver distracted or fatigued? Did the truck suffer a brake or tire failure? These are just a few examples of numerous factors your lawyer may need to prove in order to recover just compensation.

2. There Are Often Multiple Liable Parties

Not only can there be multiple factors involved in a commercial truck accident, but multiple parties could be liable as well. For example, depending on the factors involved in your (or your loved one’s) accident, your lawyer may need to pursue a claim (or claims) against:

• The truck driver (if the driver is an owner-operator)
• The trucking company
• The shipping company
• The truck manufacturer or a component manufacturer
• Another driver, a government entity, or another third party

3. There is A LOT to Investigate

Once your lawyer identifies the factors involved in the accident, then your lawyer can determine what company (or companies) owe you just compensation. This itself can be a process that requires an intensive investigation.

After a serious or fatal semi truck accident, there is a lot to investigate. While the investigation may start at the scene of the crash, this on-scene investigation will typically be just the beginning.

Proving what happened and what company (or companies) are responsible may also involve obtaining evidence such as:

• Surveillance camera, dash camera, and cell phone camera footage
• The truck driver’s driving logs
• The trucking company’s maintenance records
• The shipping manifest
• Communications, engineering documents, and other files from the truck manufacturer
• An inspection report for each vehicle involved in the accident
• Employment records, phone records, contracts, and various other forms of documentation

4. Your Losses Can Be Substantial

Due to the sheer size of 18-wheelers and other large trucks, accidents involving these vehicles tend to result in serious (if not fatal injuries). When you get seriously injured or lose a loved one, your losses can be substantial—and proving your losses can be a complex and detail-oriented process. Accident victims and their families can recover just compensation for their financial and non-financial losses under Arkansas law.

5. The Insurance Companies Will Point at Each Other

Finally, regardless of the circumstances involved in your (or your loved one’s) truck accident, the insurance companies will almost certainly point the finger at one another. They will all do everything they can to avoid liability for the crash. Overcoming their defense tactics will require experienced legal representation; and, while negotiating a settlement may ultimately be your best option, it will be important to show the insurance companies that you are prepared to go to trial if necessary.

Discuss Your Semi Truck Accident Case with a Lawyer in Rogers, AR

If you are dealing with the aftermath of a serious or fatal semi truck accident in Arkansas, we encourage you to contact us for more information. Our lawyers can help you understand your situation and take all appropriate legal action on your behalf.

To get started with a FREE, no-obligation case evaluation, call our Rogers, AR law offices at 479-202-5200 or tell us how we can help online today.