Why And How Truck Accidents Are Different
Last updated on December 15, 2021
Were you or a family member recently involved in an accident with a truck? Truck accidents are different because truck drivers and their employers have to follow different rules on the road.
At Kuiper Kraemer PC, we understand that after a serious crash with a truck, your whole life changes. We understand how to investigate and how to pursue compensation. We also understand the roles that negligence and liability play in these crashes. Call 616-537-1016 to speak with us about what happened. We will let you know how we can help.
What Causes Truck Accidents?
When a truck weighing 25,000 pounds is moving at a high rate of speed, even a small error in judgment can have serious results.
A truck driver may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The driver may have been distracted or texting or not driving according to the conditions of the road. Driver errors can be due to many things, including not being fully trained or not having enough time between shifts to get adequate sleep or the load not being balanced. Crashes are sometimes caused by faulty equipment or parts – a trucker can’t stop in time if the brakes fail.
We will fully investigate the crash, the truck’s logs, the trucking company’s policies and, when warranted, the crash site, among other things. We are experienced in truck and car crashes of all types.
The Real Cost Of A Serious Injury
It may happen that the insurance company for the trucking company makes an offer for settlement. At first blush, this offer may seem very attractive. But is it? People who have never been in a serious accident may not know what the true costs – emotional, physical and financial – will be.
A serious injury can mean:
- Loss of income for a long period of time
- Loss of career
- Medical bills that include MRIs, the emergency room, surgery and equipment
- Loss of your vehicle
- Loss of your enjoyment of previous sports or hobbies
- Emotional trauma such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Truck accidents are often complex. Because of the serious consequences they involve, it is in your best interest to work with a Michigan legal team that understands cases involving personal injury and truck accidents.
Speak With Us Before You Talk To Any Insurance Company
With truck accidents, the insurance company for the trucking company will likely act right away. Crucial evidence could be lost or destroyed if not preserved immediately. In many instances, the company will make a quick “take-it-or-forget-it” offer. This type of offer is almost never the best offer and rarely, if ever, needs to be accepted without your own attorney reviewing it. This is why we advise that you never sign or agree to anything without having your attorney review and advise on it. Insurance companies have one goal: maintaining their own profit. They attempt to pay out as little as possible in these cases. Your best course of action is to decline to speak with anyone from your insurance or the trucking company insurance until you have your own legal representation.
Find Out How We Can Help In A Free Consultation
You should not have to live the rest of your life with an injury while trying to pay off debt incurred because you were in the hospital or not able to work. Our team will aggressively go after the compensation you deserve. We will do the negotiating. We are trial attorneys. This means that if the insurance company does not make a fair settlement offer, we will take them to court. Get in touch with us. Call 616-537-1016 or connect with us via our email contact form. Based in Grand Rapids, we serve the legal needs of injured clients throughout the greater Grand Rapids area.