It is said that the average truck weighs in the range of about 6,000 to 7,000 pounds. A big rig, i.e., an 18-wheeler, weighs about 35,000 pounds on its own; when loaded with cargo, it could increase to as much as 80,000 pounds.
Given the tonnage of these vehicles, a truck collision can have devastating consequences for accident victims and the victims’ loved ones.
Using the term “impact” in its broadest sense, moreover, a truck in comparison to a car crash can pose enormous harm with respect to bodily injury, income, and psychological/emotional well-being. To protect your rights for compensation after a truck wreck, contact a Philadelphia truck accident lawyer for knowledgeable assistance.
Physical Injuries
Truck accidents can sadly result in a litany of injuries, some of which can be life threatening and result in long-term effects.
If you’re a driver or passenger, an accident impact from a truck injury can lead to the following conditions or cascade of maladies:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Internal organ damage/internal bleeding
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Severe lacerations or amputations
- Disfigurement
- Other injuries that lead to disability, either permanent or temporary
If you’ve been hit by a large vehicle of this kind, there are several steps to take after a truck accident including, but not limited to, calling 911 for emergency services.
In the accident aftermath, you should strongly consider promptly contacting a lawyer to take charge of your claim for monetary damages that includes the psychological effects of what happened on the road in addition to the physical suffering plus the resulting pain and suffering.
The negative effects on family life can also be an element of monetary damages.
In tragic situations, a victim or victims could perish at the accident scene or afterwards, which could provide the context for a wrongful death claim from the spouse or victim families.
Financial Impact
If the accident victim is unable to work for a significant time, the financial burden on that person and the household can be harsh. Lost wages, including those that extend into the future, can obviously have an impact on one’s family and ability to make ends meet.
In addition to the massive medical bills that can result from immediate and ongoing treatment, rehabilitation costs can also be significant.
A key function of a lawyer, among others, is to make sure that the victim receives compensation for lost pay in the short term as well as any compensation for an impairment that may affect continued employment or career advancement.
Emotional Trauma
Truck accidents are emotionally devastating experiences. Their impact on the victim of a car accident can extend far beyond the initial occurrence, and have lasting implications for people’s state of mind and wellbeing.
The residual effects of emotional trauma which can have a huge impact on all aspects of day-to-day life, personal and professional, can include insomnia, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other psychological impacts.
From the perspective of victim support, the stress (emotionally as well as financially) on the immediate family, too, could be immense from caring for a victim who is immobile or cognitively challenged or trying to fund a home healthcare aide.
Time Limit to Pursue Compensation
The legal deadline in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for personal injuries is two years from the date of the accident, subject to certain exceptions.
That means that a lawsuit against the at-fault driver and any others who are or might be deemed legally culpable must be filed within that window to remain viable even if, e.g., negotiations are ongoing.
Fortunately, most insurance claims settle out of court and ideally before the statute of limitations becomes an issue. The higher the stakes, though, the longer a case usually takes to resolve itself.
A competent personal injury lawyer can guide you through the entire settlement process, statute of limitations pitfalls, and potential court proceedings.
What’s more, the sooner that you hire a lawyer the better, so that your legal counsel, among other priorities, can promptly begin the evidence gathering process into the cause of the collision and in what could be a situation with several levels of complexity.
Since the transportation industry tends to be closely monitored by government, determining whether the driver complied with Federal Trucking Regulations is one of your lawyer’s responsibilities in the investigation into fault.
Need Legal Help? Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been hit by a delivery truck, tractor-trailer, or other commercial motor vehicle, the skilled and compassionate team at The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C. can systematically represent you in your personal injury claim.
Our firm has over 30 years of experience helping truck accident victims, and we are committed to getting our clients results in obtaining fair financial compensation for what they are enduring. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.