When Trucks Crash Into Cars
When Trucks Crash Into Cars
There are few forces more destructive than a large commercial truck slamming into a passenger vehicle. Large trucks can weigh up to 30 times what a passenger car weighs when a truck is loaded with the maximum amount of freight allowed under the law. Drivers of large commercial trucks are disadvantaged by massive blind spots, imprecise turning radiuses, and an inability to brake fully in an instant. As a result of all these challenges and more, when massive trucks slam into smaller cars, the devastation can be catastrophic.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
As an experienced, serious car accident injury lawyer in Medford, OR – including those who practice at Andersen Morse & Linthorst – can confirm, when individuals are hurt or lose loved ones due to fatal injuries caused by truck accidents, one of the first questions that must be asked from a legal standpoint is whether someone can be held legally and financially responsible for the harm that the injury victims involved have suffered.
Before it can be determined whether an accident victim has strong grounds upon which to file legal action, the cause of the accident must be identified and the fault issue in the victim’s case must be objectively and accurately assessed. Truck accident cases tend to be very complex. As a result, it is important to avoid making assumptions about whether you have a strong cause of action or not until an attorney has investigated your injurious circumstances.
Most of the time, if a victim’s injuries were caused partially or totally by the negligent, reckless, or intentionally harmful actions or inactions of another, that victim will be able to hold the responsible party accountable for financial damages related to that harm. Damage awards may address medical expenses, impaired earning potential, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
If an individual suffers injuries as a result of a truck accident while either driving a truck for a living or otherwise engaging in work activities, that individual will likely be entitled to a workers’ compensation benefit award if they’re eligible for workers’ compensation coverage. Independent contractors are not generally entitled to this coverage but most full-time employees and part-time employees are eligible for this coverage and for benefits in the event of work-related harm.
If you are eligible for benefits, you will want to speak with an attorney as quickly as you can because if you don’t file certain paperwork within a matter of weeks of your accident, you may be barred from receiving compensation.