Elizabethtown Truck Accident Lawyer

If you have been in an accident with a semi-truck, you may be facing substantial property damage and personal injuries. Because of their size, commercial trucks are extremely hazardous to other drivers. If the truck that hit you was being operated improperly, you may be able to receive compensation to assist with your medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses.

However, the laws that apply to commercial truckers can be complex, and you may want to consider contacting an Elizabethtown truck accident lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney may be able to help you understand your legal rights and also act as your advocate when dealing with the trucking company and their insurer.

Commercial Trucking Laws in Elizabethtown

Accidents with commercial trucks or 18-wheelers may result in substantial personal injuries and property damage for those driving regular passenger vehicles. Consequently, semi-truck drivers and trucking companies are subject to additional regulations that do not apply to drivers of regular passenger vehicles.

Truck drivers must undergo additional training in order to operate these massive vehicles. In addition, while they are operating a commercial truck, drivers must take appropriate rest breaks, as well as avoid substances that affect their ability to drive. Further, truckers must maintain driving logs, as well as records about the truck and other equipment.

Trucking companies, along with independent contractor truck drivers, must properly maintain their vehicles. Companies must also provide adequate training to drivers, along with safety policies and procedures. A knowledgeable accident attorney in Elizabethtown could investigate an injured party’s case to determine whether the at-fault party broke one of these trucking laws.

Pursuing Compensation in a Tractor-Trailer Collision Case

Unfortunately, despite extra regulations, the trucking industry has long been criticized for putting the bottom line before safety. Drivers may be incentivized to work long hours, leaving them fatigued and less aware while on the road.

Companies have been accused of ignoring regulations in order to bring down their operating costs. If an injured party can prove reckless driving or a breach in trucking regulations caused the accident, they can pursue compensation from the responsible party.

Due to their massive size, an accident with a semi-truck may lead to substantial physical injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. In addition, these accidents may be emotionally traumatic. Injured parties may seek financial compensation for these types of economic and non-economic losses.

Deadline for Filing a Claim

Truck accident claims are subject to a deadline, also known as a “statute of limitations.” The statute of limitations is simply the amount of time a person has to file a lawsuit.

Under state law, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims stemming from truck accidents is at least two years. This deadline can be extended for injured parties who receive Personal Injury Protection (PIP) payments. These individuals have two years from the date of their last PIP payment to file a lawsuit. Claims for damage to a vehicle or other property damage must also be made within two years under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 413.125. Otherwise, the injured party may lose their chance to obtain compensation.

Insurance Settlements After an 18-Wheeler Collision

Trucking companies, along with their insurers, will begin an investigation immediately after a truck accident occurs. Both of these entities have a common goal—to minimize the expense of the truck accident.

An injured motorist may get caught up in the investigation and tactics used by the trucking company and their insurer to minimize the payout. Insurance companies may try to offer a low settlement amount early in the process before the injured motorist realized the extent of the damage caused by the truck accident.

Alternatively, commercial truck insurance companies may try to draw out the process, hoping that the injured driver becomes desperate and takes a smaller settlement. A seasoned lawyer could help an injured party deal with these powerful companies after a semi-truck accident.

Contacting an Elizabethtown Truck Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in an accident with a big rig, you may want to consider contacting an Elizabethtown truck accident lawyer sooner rather than later in the process. You may be facing a dizzying array of medical and repair bills, all while trying to recover from your injuries. A skilled attorney may be able to help you organize your records and understand what financial compensation you are due after a truck accident. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.