Truck Rollovers
Truck rollover accidents can be catastrophic, causing harm to both truck occupants and those in affected passenger vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that rollovers accounted for about 6 percent of fatal and injury-causing truck accidents in a recent year. All it takes is one truck rollover to change your life forever.
If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a truck rollover accident, you can hire a trcuk accident attorney to seek fair compensation for your losses.
Who Can Seek Compensation for a Truck Rollover Accident?
Your ability to get compensation depends on the circumstances of your accident.
You may generally seek a financial recovery if:
- You were involved in a truck rollover accident
- You suffered injuries or lost a loved one
- You are not at fault for the accident, or you’re only partially at fault for the accident
These circumstances may apply to truck drivers, passenger vehicle drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. An attorney can review your case circumstances and provide specific advice.
Who Is Liable for a Truck Rollover Accident?
The FMCSA has found that drivers are most often responsible for truck accidents. Statistically, a motorist is the most likely at-fault party in your truck rollover accident. Whether an unqualified truck driver or other motorist is responsible for your accident, your attorney will identify negligent behaviors that caused the rollover.
Some negligent behaviors by motorists include:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Speeding
- Changing lanes without checking blind spots
- Failing to stop for red lights or traffic signs
- Doing anything else that increases the likelihood of an accident
While motorists are often responsible for accidents, they aren’t the only cause. Dangerous road conditions, vehicle defects, and other hazards can also cause truck rollover accidents. Your lawyer can diagnose who is responsible for your accident and seek compensation from those liable parties.
A Trucking Company Could Be Liable for Your Rollover Accident
Victims of truck rollover accidents aren’t always in the truck. When a semi-truck rolls over, it may fall on other vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians, or motorcyclists. The contents of a truck may also become dangerous when they spill onto a roadway, causing other accidents, fires, and other harmful circumstances.
You can hold a trucking company liable for your accident. These companies have a great responsibility to their drivers and the general public.
Even if you were driving the truck that rolled over, you might seek compensation from a liable trucking company.
You can hold trucking companies liable when:
- Their driver causes a collision
- They do not service vehicles, allowing defects to go unnoticed
- They do not train drivers properly
- They fail to test their drivers for drug or alcohol use
- They do anything else that contributes to a rollover accident
Proving a trucking company’s liability may not be easy. An experienced attorney can help you.
What Damages Are Available to Truck Rollover Accident Victims?
Per the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), passenger vehicle victims are extremely vulnerable when they’re involved in trucking accidents. Whether you were in a truck or another vehicle when your accident happened, your recoverable damages may include:
#1. Medical Expenses
Injuries you suffer in a truck rollover accident may be quite serious or even disabling.
You may need extensive medical treatment for those injuries, including:
- Ambulance transportation from your accident scene
- Imaging of your injuries
- Emergency care
- Surgery
- Hospitalization
- Rehabilitation
You may need to visit the doctor regularly after your truck accident. Financial recovery may cover all medical costs stemming from your rollover accident.
#2. Pain and Suffering
Whenever someone suffers injuries or loses a loved one in a truck accident, suffering occurs.
That pain and suffering may include:
- Emotional anguish
- Trauma from memories and dreams of your truck rollover accident
- Pain from your injuries
- Lost sleep
- Lost quality of life
Those who bring truck accident lawsuits can seek coverage for pain and suffering. You may also seek coverage for counseling or other treatment you require for pain and suffering.
#3. Professional Losses
Injuries from a truck accident may interfere with:
- Your short- and long-term earnings
- Your productivity
- The progress of your career
- Your standing with your employer
- Your professional benefits
If you didn’t cause your truck accident, then you shouldn’t have to suffer the consequences of these losses. Your lawyer will seek appropriate compensation for these damages.
#4. Temporary Transportation and Property Costs
If your vehicle suffered damage in a truck rollover accident, you might deserve compensation for the cost of repairs. If you need a temporary vehicle while yours is in the shop, liable parties may cover the cost of the rental, too.
Should I Hire an Injury Lawyer for a Rollover Truck Accident Case?
You may want to hire an attorney because:
- Truck accident cases are notoriously complex and may require you to obtain evidence from a trucking company or other liable parties.
- Your case may involve significant compensation, and you may want an experienced lawyer to fight for the recovery you deserve.
- Your recovery occupies you.
- You are in physical and emotional pain and want to protect yourself from the stress of a lawsuit or insurance claim.
A truck accident lawyer is affordable. These attorneys generally represent their clients on a contingency fee basis. This means that clients don’t pay any upfront cost to hire a lawyer. The attorney only receives their fee if they secure a financial recovery for the client.
What Will a Truck Accident Lawyer Do for Me?
A truck accident lawyer will deal with trucking companies, other attorneys, insurance companies, and anyone else involved in your case. Their goal will be to get an insurance payment, settlement, or judgment to cover all your damages.
A lawyer can handle:
- Investigation of your accident
- Calculation of your damages
- Documentation of your damages
- Settlement negotiations
- Trial
First and foremost, a lawyer will defend your rights. They’ll make sure that nobody interferes with your financial recovery.
Call a Truck Accident Lawyer Today to Start Your Truck Rollover Case
Whatever the circumstances of your truck rollover accident are, it’s wise to consult a personal injury law firm. You may have a case for significant compensation but may also have a limited deadline to file. Call a law firm as soon as possible to start your case.
