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3 Ways To Get Proper Compensation From An Accident With A Semi-Truck

13 May 2015 by Jo Rodriquez

Just a few years ago, there were 333,000 semi-trucks involved in car accidents, many of those being the cause of negligent driving. Of these accidents, many of them were probably fatal or at least caused serious injury. This is because semi-trucks weigh so much more than other trucks and cars, so if you are involved in an accident with one of these larger trucks, it can be extremely terrifying, but you also have to remember that you need to know what to do if you are injured to ensure that you win a personal injury claim. Here's what you need to know to help receive proper personal injury compensation:

1. Providing Proof of Negligence: 

To prove that a trucker was indeed negligent and the cause of the accident in which you have been injured, you want to be sure that you have that available proof. This is why you should follow the proper procedures for recording the incident immediately after it takes place. The first thing you must do is call the police. The police will check for violated state and federal regulations, which are described in the next section below. From here, you want to take pictures of damages to your vehicle and physical injuries that you have noticed right away, as well as gather witness statements. Also, check to see if there are any surveillance cameras around that may have captured the accident on video.

2. Providing Proof of Violated State and Federal Regulations:

Using police records from the day of the accident, you will want to prove in one way or another that the trucker has violated one of or both of the state and federal regulations that are often abused. Proving this can not only guarantee that you win your personal injury claim, but it can also ensure that you receive more compensation for your injuries. So, be sure that you check their CDL licensing. If this licensing is not up-to-date or does not meet the standards of the state in which they have received it, then it proves negligence. Another thing to check is the driver's log book. All truck drivers must keep a log book and if this log book has some faulty or unrecorded information, then this further suggests negligence. 

3. Recording Medical Damages:

To guarantee that you receive proper medical compensation, you want to be sure that all of your injuries are well recorded and that your doctor takes note that the injury is a direct result from the incident itself. These medical records will help you with your negotiations for proper compensation in which the insurance companies may try to offer you less than what you deserve. 

For further assistance with your semi-truck accident, you may require help from a trucking accident lawyer who has professional expertise in the federal and state regulations that truckers must meet. 

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