Understanding Out-of-Pocket Costs for Big Truck Accidents
by
Kirk Farrar on Oct. 13, 2017
Accident & Injury Car Accident Accident & Injury
Summary: Large truck accidents are some of the most devastating incidents on the roads, with thousands of people dying in these collisions across the nation every year.
There are many factors that go into what can cause a truck accident and who is responsible, but one constant is that truck accidents can turn the lives of everyone involved upside-down.
It can get even worse when it comes to settling the case. As medical bills pile up and income takes a dive due to inability to work, people have to face the rising costs of their accident court case. Learn about the out-of-pocket costs for big truck accidents, and how having the right truck accident attorney can minimize what you have to pay.
Statistics for Big Truck Accidents
According to data collected by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, about 10% of all highway deaths are the result of a collision involving a big truck. In 2015 alone, 3,852 deaths occurred from truck crashes, 16% of whom were truck passengers, 69% were in cars, wagons, SUVs or the like, and 15% of whom were on a bicycle, motorcycle or on foot.
Even worse, these numbers were up significantly from data collected in 2009. This means the problem is on the rise and is an epidemic. Because big rigs are up to 30 times heavier and more massive than passenger vehicles, the damage caused in these incidents can be catastrophic.
Liability and Truck Accidents
One problem that causes the cost of truck accident cases to skyrocket is the difficulty to pin down liability. That’s because when two cars collide, it usually comes down to one driver or the other.
When there’s a truck involved, it can be the driver, the trucking company, the loading crew, the maintenance crew, or even the manufacturers of vehicle parts, depending on the cause of the accident. This can cause the case to drag on, increasing the total costs.
Out-of-Pocket Costs for Big Truck Accidents
The out-of-pocket costs for big truck accidents can involve a range of factors. The most obvious of these are legal fees. There are tons of costs involved with a court case, including filing your case, briefings, court costs, attorney’s fees and a range of other issues. Investigation costs are typically much higher than other types of auto accidents. The use of an Accident Reconstruction Expert is almost always required to determine all of the liability issues. These Experts have the ability to download information of the vehicle’s “Black Boxes,” forensically map the area of the wreck, and examine the Tractor Trailer to make sure it meets all requirements of the Department of Transportation and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act.
The best way to control these fees is to seek the services of a strong attorney with experience handling these types of cases. A good attorney will work on contingency, agreeing to take your case and only collect a fee if you win the case. The best way to make sure that you’re getting the most for your money is to discuss the fees and costs with your attorney, who should be willing to provide a free case evaluation and a range of legal resources at no risk to you.
Georgia Truck Accident Attorneys
If you’ve been in a big truck accident and need help with your case as well as minimizing your risk of costs, the attorneys at Farrar Hennesy Tanner can help. We have been in business since 1949 helping to protect injury victims across Georgia, and we’d love to bring our 68 years of experience to you.
Don’t try to face your case alone. Getting the most compensation for your injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional trauma and other damages requires experience and knowledge, and our attorneys are respected, compassionate and experienced. Get in touch with us today for a free case review to talk about how we can help you.
