For Victims of Truck Accidents
Know the laws
We recommend reading up on the Federal laws as well as the applicable State laws concerning your situation.
Watch our videos
Browse our selection of informative videos about trucking law.
Things you should keep in mind
Protect Yourself
In truck collisions, federal regulations require that
certain essential evidence only be maintained for a limited amount of time.
For instance, the truck driver's log may be destroyed after six months if an
attorney does not obtain a court order or take other immediate action.
Federal regulations also require over the road trucks to carry various levels of insurance coverage, depending on the nature of materials hauled. Many times, trucking, hauling, and leasing companies may argue over which insurance company is responsible for compensating the victim in a truck collision. Current federal regulations protect the innocent party by helping to ensure coverage.
Medical Process
The truck company may not pay your medical bills
immediately. However your own insurance will often contain medical payment
provisions to pay for bills ranging from funeral costs to x-rays. Many
people are reluctant to involve their own insurance company in any medical
claims process. However, most insurance policies require you to notify your
insurance company of any collision in which you have been involved.
It is usually in your best interest not to sign a medical release or authorization and not to give a statement to the trucking company or any insurance company before contacting an attorney.
Claims Process
After a serious collision, the trucking company's claims
adjuster begins to protect the trucking company's interests immediately. An
investigator will begin to collect evidence in order to defend or minimize
the claim. The trucking company may also attempt to steer you away from
legal counsel, because they know that if you have an attorney, you are
statistically likely to receive a greater settlement. The trucking company
takes immediate measures to actively insure that they are protected against
your claim as much as possible. What have you done to protect yourself and
your family as the result of permanent disability, a fatal collision, or
other tragedy?