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Edwardsville
Case Types We Handle
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Motorcycle Accidents
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St. Louis
Case Types We Handle
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Construction Accidents
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Slip and Fall Accidents
Daycare Injury & Abuse
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How To File a Truck Accident Lawsuit | Tips from the #1 Truck Accident Lawyers

Use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify to file a truck accident lawsuit.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

Published By:
Tor Hoerman
Tor Hoerman

Attorney Tor Hoerman, admitted to the Illinois State Bar Association since 1995 and The Missouri Bar since 2009, specializes nationally in mass tort litigations. Locally, Tor specializes in auto accidents and a wide variety of personal injury incidents occuring in Illinois and Missouri.

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy and clarity by the team of writers and attorneys at TorHoerman Law and is as accurate as possible. This content should not be taken as legal advice from an attorney. If you would like to learn more about our owner and experienced injury lawyer, Tor Hoerman, you can do so here.

TorHoerman Law does everything possible to make sure the information in this article is up to date and accurate. If you need specific legal advice about your case, contact us. This article should not be taken as advice from an attorney.

How to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit: Overview

On this page, we’ll discuss the steps that go into filing a truck accident lawsuit, how long you have to file a truck accident claim, typical compensation and damages recovered by truck accident lawyers, and much more.

Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit: Steps to Take and How to Seek Justice

Truck accidents are not like most other vehicle accidents.

Because of their size and the cargo they carry, crashes involving commercial trucks can result in more severe injuries and property damage.

How To File a Truck Accident Lawsuit Tips from the #1 Truck Accident Lawyers; How to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit; Truck Accident Lawsuits; Truck Accident Lawyers; Truck Accident Case; Truck Accident Attorneys

Victims can also expect a more complicated legal process since it’s not just individual truck drivers that they’re dealing with:

  • Trucking companies;
  • Vehicle manufacturers; and
  • Other parties could be just as liable as the truck driver.

Of course, these complications shouldn’t stop you from filing a lawsuit and getting compensation for the damages you suffered.

To file a claim and seek financial compensation, contact the experienced truck accident attorneys at TorHoerman Law.

Contact us today for a free consultation. You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for a truck accident lawsuit instantly.

Our law firm is committed to seeking compensation for people harmed at no fault of their own.

Reach out to our truck accident lawyers and find out how we can help.

Table of Contents

Steps for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit

How to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit

There’s been a steady increase in the number of fatal truck accidents since 2021.

While car accidents are still more common, the fatality rate in truck crashes is higher due to vehicle size and limited maneuverability, so it’s not rare that instead of the victim pursuing compensation, it’s the family they left behind.

Whether you’re the injured party or the loved one of someone who died at the accident scene, there are multiple steps to follow to both protect yourself and your legal rights.

What To Do Immediately After a Truck Accident

Accidents involving semi trucks and other commercial vehicles can be traumatizing and dangerous.

Accident victims may be disoriented or injured, but there are still some crucial steps that must be taken to protect themselves and their legal rights.

Below are the steps to take immediately following a truck accident:

  1. Call 911 and wait for emergency services.
  2. If possible, move to the side of the road to avoid passing vehicles.
  3. Exchange information with the parties at the accident scene and DO NOT admit fault.
  4. Document the accident scene: take videos and pictures of the accident.
  5. Seek medical attention.
  6. Contact a truck accident lawyer.

How To File a Truck Accident Lawsuit Tips from the #1 Truck Accident Lawyers

Why You Should Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured at no fault of your own, a truck accident attorney can help you seek financial compensation for your injuries and damages.

Too often, a truck accident victim is left with costly medical bills and property damage, and instead of pursuing legal action, they accept a payout from an insurance company.

An experienced truck accident attorney can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and advocate for compensation that accurately reflects how you’ve been impacted.

Reach out to a truck accident lawyer today for a free consultation and find out if you qualify to file a truck accident lawsuit.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for a truck accident lawsuit instantly.

Gather Evidence for Your Truck Accident Claim

How to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit

Trucking accidents generally produce a considerable amount of evidence.

Different pieces of evidence can help you and your truck accident lawyer prove negligence of at-fault parties and will be crucial in the filing of your lawsuit.

Your truck accident lawyers will help you gather evidence, but you can help them in that endeavor.

Evidence To Gather for Your Truck Accident Case may include:

  • Accident reports and police reports
  • Testimonies from witnesses
  • Surveillance footage from dash-cam or CCTV cameras
  • Medical records
  • Data from vehicle recorders, such as dash cams and event data recorders
  • Reconstructions by insurance companies and law firms

Who Are the Liable Parties in Truck Accidents?

How to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit

In commercial truck accidents, there could be several liable parties involved — not just the driver.

You can also sue the following other entities and get compensation from multiple parties.

Truck Driver

Since they’re the ones operating the vehicle, truck drivers are usually the first people your lawyer will investigate for liability.

The nature of drivers’ work requires them to be awake for several hours a day, resulting in fatigue.

In fact, the National Transport Safety Board estimates that truck driver fatigue is a major contributor to up to 40% of truck accidents.

Trucking Company

There are certain scenarios when a truck company can be held liable for a car accident.

They might have pushed a driver to take more shifts even if the driver was already tired.

In other cases, they knowingly purchased trucks or components that didn’t pass safety checks.

Hiring unqualified drivers also makes them liable for truck and auto accidents.

Truck Manufacturer and Truck Parts Maker

A fleet manufacturer or parts fabrication company may be liable in truck accident cases if they supplied faulty parts or failed to provide correct usage instructions.

Pedestrians and Other Motorists

In some cases, pedestrians that didn’t follow traffic rules can be held liable if they caused the accident. The same goes for drivers of whatever type of vehicle.

Road Contractor

While difficult to prove, you can still hold a road construction company or independent contractor liable for accidents involving commercial trucks.

If they failed to adhere to safety procedures, and their actions directly led to the auto accident, then they can be involved in the lawsuit.

What Damages Can Get Compensated in a Truck Accident Lawsuit?

How to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit

There are several types of injuries accident victims may experience.

Damages are the losses you suffer as a result of the truck accident, and there are two (2) types of damages you may be able to get compensated for:

  • Economic Damages
  • Non-Economic Damages

With a personal injury lawsuit, you can seek financial compensation for damages incurred as a result of a truck accident.

Medical Bills

Physical injuries after semi-truck accidents require medical attention.

While in the hospital, you could rack up bills for the room you’re staying in, treatments, consultations with doctors, and exams.

A personal injury claim can help reimburse these medical costs.

Future Medical Expenses

After your initial recovery from a semi-truck accident, you might still need therapy, ongoing treatments, and additional medication to help you fully recuperate and live a normal life.

These additional expenses can be included in the truck crash lawsuit.

Of course, the amount you’ll receive will vary depending on the extent of treatments you need to fully recover.

Lost Wages

While recovering from semi-truck, large truck, or tractor-trailer accidents, you may not be able to report to work, leading to loss of income.

This damage can be compensated in personal injury cases.

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering is a non-economic damage, and it refers to the emotional toll and mental anguish you or a loved one endured after being in a trucking accident.

To calculate this damage, insurance companies usually follow a multiplier based on the victim’s medical bills, wages, and other factors.

The rules vary from state to state.

Loss of Companionship

An accident involving large trucks can result in the loss of life.

Those who lost a loved one may receive compensation for loss of consortium or companionship.

This is another non-economic damage, and there is no precise formula to calculate this.

In general, claimants can get higher amounts if their loved one lost their life.

However, you can still file a loss of companionship claim so long as the truck accident has severely impacted your lives as a couple.

Wrongful Death

A wrongful death claim is meant to provide compensation for the dependents of a person that lost their life after an accident.

If the spouse or children win the case, they will be awarded death benefits by the truck driver or fleet operator’s insurance company.

TorHoerman Law: Your Truck Accident Lawyers

Lawsuits involving commercial vehicles and semi trucks are not the same as those involving just passenger vehicles.

There are nuances that make lawsuits for truck collisions more complex than regular auto accident lawsuits.

TorHoerman Law is staffed with experienced truck accident lawyers who’ve worked on countless personal injury claims over the years.

Our team works diligently with injured clients, representing their claims in the court of law and fighting for their best interests.

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident at no fault of your own, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit and seek compensation.

Contact an experienced truck accident lawyer at TorHoerman Law to schedule a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for a truck accident claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How Long Do I Have To File A Truck Accident Lawsuit?

    Understanding the timeframe to file a truck accident lawsuit in your respective state is critical to recovering damages.

    Some important aspects to keep in mind are:

    • Statute of Limitations:  Each jurisdiction sets its own timeframe for filing such a lawsuit.
    • Legal Advice:  Prompt legal consultation ensures you meet all necessary deadlines and protects your rights.

    Conducting a free consultation with an experienced truck accident lawyer can help you navigate these complexities, ensuring you file within the necessary timeframe.

  • What Types Of Compensation Can I Receive In A Truck Accident Lawsuit?

    Injured victims of truck accidents may be eligible for various types of compensation.

    Types of compensation in truck accident lawsuits may include:

    • Medical Expenses:  These cover costs of hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and ongoing therapies.
    • Lost Wages:  You may recover both past and future wages if the accident led to an inability to work.
    • Pain and Suffering:  Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident is possible.
    • Property Damage Costs:  Damages may include reimbursement for damage to your vehicle or other property.
    • Punitive Damages:  In cases of gross negligence, punitive damages may be awarded as punishment to the negligent party and a deterrent for others.

    Understanding these potential damages can help victims comprehend the full scope of what they may be able to recover.

    Every truck accident case is different, so it’s crucial you meet with an experienced truck accident lawyer to understand what damages you may be able to claim in your case.

  • What Factors Can Influence The Outcome Of My Truck Accident Lawsuit?

    When it comes to the outcome of a truck accident lawsuit, several factors can play a role in the success of your case.

    Some of these factors may include:

    • Evidence:  The strength and quality of the evidence, including physical evidence from the accident scene, testimonies of eyewitnesses, and expert opinions, play a crucial role.
    • Credibility of Witnesses:  The reliability and trustworthiness of all witnesses can significantly impact the case.
    • Legal Representation:  The skill and experience of your legal representation can greatly influence the case presentation.
    • Jurisdiction:  Local laws and tendencies of local courts and juries can also alter the outcome.

    Being aware of these factors can help you better understand the complexities of a truck accident lawsuit and prepare accordingly.

    Talk to a truck accident lawyer for unique advice about your case.

Written By:
Tor Hoerman

Tor Hoerman

Owner & Attorney - TorHoerman Law

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