Car accidents are scary, unexpected, and jarring. Even fender benders, which may seem harmless and might not cause any injuries or major damage, can be traumatic. Accidents involving tractor-trailers, also known as semis or 18-wheelers, are in a category all their own.
Put simply, accidents with 18-wheelers are typically more serious than accidents involving two cars. As a personal injury attorney with years of experience successfully fighting for compensation for victims of 18-wheeler accidents, we at Torgenson Law encourage anyone involved in an accident with a semi to understand the severity of the situation.
The size and weight of commercial vehicles can cause more catastrophic injuries than a typical car accident, as the forces of impact are dramatically higher. When collisions involve an 18-wheeler, there is the potential for more victims to be involved, as opposed to collisions between two cars. And, there’s a chance that more than one party could be at fault when these types of accidents happen.
The more parties involved, the more complex a legal case can be.
As with any accident, individuals involved in a collision with an 18-wheeler should immediately report it to authorities, seek medical treatment, and document as much as possible from the scene — from witness statements to photos to videos, license plates, and road conditions.
It’s also important to notify the company that carries your car insurance, but avoid sharing detailed statements about the collision until you have representation. Insurance companies are focused on minimizing payouts following accidents, so it’s best to keep details to a minimum until you’ve spoken to an experienced Arizona truck accident lawyer.
With an attorney at your side, it’s easier to avoid certain obstacles following an accident with a semi truck. Some of the most common pitfalls include the failure to collect enough or appropriate evidence, disregarding prescribed medical treatment or therapy, underestimating the long-term damages linked to the collision, and settling with an insurance company too quickly.
Sometimes these cases can drag on as bills begin to pile up when injuries and damages are involved, and we can appreciate the desire to just wrap up the case, get a payout and be done with it. But, as a personal injury attorney with years of experience working these types of cases, we’re telling you insurance companies are hoping you lose patience and settle early.
A personal injury attorney with experience representing victims of truck accidents can help you prove fault, maximize compensation, and wade through other complicated issues, such as whether a claim is on behalf of someone who lost their life in the accident. At Torgenson Law, our team is well-versed in what these types of cases require, and our track record of success may offer some added confidence to the clients we work with.
In fact, we recovered a $1 million settlement for a family after a tractor-trailer fatally struck a pedestrian. In those cases, when a suit is on behalf of someone who lost their life, the settlement payout goes to the immediate family or court-appointed representative for the family.
As you can imagine, proving fault in an accident involving a tractor-trailer can be complicated. Fault could squarely fall to the driver, but it could also be attributed to road maintenance, the trucking company, cargo loaders or even the manufacturer of faulty parts. The process of building a case can involve a number of different avenues for evidence, including maintenance records, dashcam footage, safety records, driver logs, and black box data from the truck itself.
Experienced representation knows what to look for and how to obtain it, which will help maximize compensation. As with any accident, those who are injured may be eligible for compensation that covers medical expenses for current and ongoing treatment, lost wages and future earning potential, property damage, and pain and suffering.
No one should handle a settlement following an accident with an 18-wheeler without a personal injury lawyer. The team at Torgenson Law is here to support you through this process, ensuring your best interests are represented. If you’ve been in an accident with a semi, reach out to our team today.
No pressure, no upfront costs, just answers from a legal team that takes your recovery personally.
John Torgenson is a highly experienced personal injury lawyer with over 20 years of practice in Arizona. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah and his Juris Doctor from Notre Dame. John has a proven track record of securing substantial verdicts and settlements, including an $8.25 million recovery for a gunshot injury victim. His expertise has earned him AVVO ratings and recognition as a Super Lawyer.
John is also a sought-after lecturer on personal injury law, sharing his extensive knowledge with peers and aspiring attorneys. Beyond his legal practice, John is an avid golfer and actively supports organizations like the Military Assistance Mission, Arizona School for the Arts, Page Balloon Regatta, University of Arizona Foundation, Junior Achievement of Arizona, and the Tim Huff Pro Bono Golf Classic.
Passionate about advocating for injury victims, John dedicates his career to battling insurance companies and corporate interests, ensuring that the rights of those who are hurt are vigorously defended.
