If you suffered severe injuries, losses, and property damage in an accident involving a truck, a skilled personal injury attorney could help you get the compensation you need for your damages. Due to the size of the vehicles, these accidents lead to more severe impairments, and the injury claims and recovery process are more challenging than in other injury cases.
Large trucking companies have a team of lawyers and insurance companies ready to fight for them, and you must have experience in your corner. For help with a civil claim, contact a seasoned Pleasant Prairie truck accident lawyer at the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd.
Insurance Company Communication
An insurance company representing a truck driver and company will likely begin calling an injured claimant shortly after an accident. However, it is never in the plaintiff’s best interest to deal with them directly. Because an accident often means extensive damages and losses, the cost of paying compensation is significant.
While insurance companies may seem helpful and on the injured party’s side, they represent the trucking company’s interests and may use things the plaintiff says against them. Likewise, they often offer to settle quickly at an amount too low for the significant damages the injured party suffered. A diligent attorney in Pleasant Prairie with over 30 years of experience could handle all communication and negotiations with the insurance company on the plaintiff’s behalf.
What Causes Truck Crashes?
Like other passenger vehicles, truck crashes can occur at any time. However, some of the most common causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Long hours on-road resulting in driver fatigue
- Inadequate driver training
- Improper loading of cargo
- Speeding, especially in poor weather conditions
- Reckless or aggressive driving
Because truck crashes are so hazardous for other drivers involved, there are many federal and state safety laws that trucking companies and their drivers must follow. Failure to follow safety legislation can cause truck drivers to lose their commercial driver’s licenses. A hardworking lawyer in Pleasant Prairie could help truck accident victims identify the cause of a crash and help them file a civil claim for damages.
Commercial Trucking Safety Regulations
Many statutes ensure trucking companies and their drivers safely operate massive vehicles. According to the Wisconsin Commercial Driver’s Manual 2.1, federal and state laws require truck drivers to regularly complete a thorough safety inspection to look for defects that could pose a risk to drivers and other motorists around them.
Truck drivers must complete an inspection report before and after a trip by ensuring the truck’s tires, wheels, rims, and brakes are operating correctly. They must also stay alert to any potential malfunctions while behind the wheel.
Under the Code of Federal Regulations § 385.13, if an inspector finds an owner or operator of a commercial vehicle has an unsatisfactory safety rating, the statute prohibits them from driving a truck until they address and correct any safety concerns. If an operator or the company they drive for is out of compliance and causes damages in a collision, a lawyer with over 30 years of experience in Pleasant Prairie could help hold them accountable.
Meet With a Seasoned Truck Accident Attorney in Pleasant Prairie
A crash with a massive commercial truck could be a traumatic event that can leave you with extensive injuries. If another driver’s negligence caused an accident, you could file a civil lawsuit for your damages.
Trucking companies will have a team representing them after a crash, but a hard-working Pleasant Prairie truck accident lawyer could advocate for the best outcome for you. For help recovering compensation for your injuries, call today the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. to schedule a consultation.