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How Insurance Plays Into Truck Accident Cases, and Why You Need an Attorney

A truck accident can be particularly devastating, especially for the individual in the smaller car. This is because smaller sedans are no match for the weight and sheer size of the 18 wheelers that we often see on our roads, as well as the fact that these vehicles more often than not will block the entire road in the moments or seconds leading up to the accident, leaving drivers in smaller cars helpless with regard to how to escape the impending accident either by swerving or attempting to drive off the road. Truck accidents are known for their catastrophic nature, and it is not uncommon for individuals to suffer broken legs and arms, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, burns and so much more.

Due to the catastrophic nature of these accidents, victims ought to do whatever they can to recover maximum compensation so they can take care of their medical bills, seek out physical therapy, and be compensated for lost wages as well as an amount that is commensurate with their inability to work should they become disabled due to these types of accidents.

Truck accident attorneys understand the complexities of these types of claims, and one of the reasons why they can be so challenging to resolve lies in the fact that insurance policies and intrigue always follow these claims, making it difficult to determine where and how to apportion liability. It is never a wise idea to take on a truck accident lawsuit on your own, as a law firm which handles these types of cases already has experience dealing with insurance companies and their underhanded tricks to undermine your claim, and we’re here to help with that.

Nationwide Representation: McCready Law is Here for You

Are you looking for the best truck accident injury lawsuit attorney? Please call us NOW at 312-444-0214 to learn more about your legal options for justice and compensation. The experienced truck accident lawyers at McCready Law bring to the table over 50 years of combined legal experience where we’ve helped tens of thousands of individuals just like you seek and receive compensation after getting injured on account of the negligent actions of another party or corporation.

McCready Law best truck accident attorneys have nationwide reach, which means you can call us from anywhere you are in the country, and we will hit the ground running as far as representing you is concerned. In addition to having a bilingual staff (hablamos Español), all cases are taken up on contingency fee basis, and what this means is that there are ZERO UPFRONT FEES as we only levy our legal fees at the end of the case, and only if we’ve won your case for you.

Before you answer any insurance company calls or hit send on that email you received from these companies, please call us at 312-444-0214 so we can secure your right to compensation if you were involved in a truck accident you believe was not your fault – our intake team is standing by. 

Truck accidents are complicated by the fact that trucks are often covered by multiple insurance policies which cater to different aspects. It is important to have a clear understanding of these policies in order to ensure one is appropriately and exhaustively compensated in the event of an accident. 

Insurance Types

The main insurance types that are related to truck accidents are:

  1. Liability insurance 
  2. Cargo insurance 
  3. Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
  4. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Liability Insurance and Truck Accidents

Liability insurance covers damages caused by the truck driver to other entities or individuals. This usually covers property and bodily injury that is commonly seen in an accident. That said, liability here is what matters as well as the coverage limits. For instance, if you were involved in a truck accident where the truck driver was found to be negligent or at fault, but their liability insurance is capped at $2 million, that is as much as you’re going to get from the insurance company, leaving you in the lurch if you suffered severe, life-changing injuries requiring extensive surgeries or if the accident left you paralyzed from the waist down.

Negligence is key when it comes to recovering compensation, as this is defined as the failure to take reasonable care leading to injury of another party’s person. Evidence can be corroborated via the presenting of police reports, witness statements, photographs as well as traffic camera footage, all of which can make it that much easier to recover compensation. 

Cargo Insurance and Truck Accidents

Cargo Insurance is a type of liability insurance which is meant to protect the cargo that the truck driver is transporting. While this may not impact you as a victim, it may come into play should you get injured by improperly secured cargo. If the securing process was done in a manner that is negligent or not in line with industry standards, you may be able to go after the cargo insurance when it comes to recovering compensation.

That said, apportioning liability can target multiple parties, making recovering compensation under cargo insurance a herculean task: the truck driver, freight company and loader may all be held responsible for improper loading and securing of cargo, but it doesn’t end there; all these entities may have their individual insurance policies, further complicating matters. 

Personal Injury Protection and Auto/Truck Accidents

Personal Injury Protection or PIP is a type of insurance which helps cover medical care, lost wages and other truck accident-related damages. What’s great about this type of insurance is that it covers these costs regardless of who is at fault. This type of insurance is also called “no-fault insurance” as there is no need to establish any liability, helping get rid of any stress and anxiety shortly after an accident as you can rest easy in the knowledge that your claim will be taken care of regardless of who was responsible for the accident.

PIP goes further than taking care of things like medical expenses and lost wages; it can also kick in and cover home care services, funeral expenses and even childcare depending on how it was structured from the outset. That said, PIP is not mandatory in all states, and it comes with limits depending on the damages you’re seeking to have taken care of: for example, there may be a cap of up to $30,000 in medical expenses, and $6,000 in lost wages, so it is important to read the fine print and ask lots of questions when getting PIP insurance. 

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage and Truck Accidents

Uninsured or Underinsured motorist coverage refers to a type of insurance which provides protection for victims when the at-fault driver has not adequate insurance to cover the damages they were responsible for. This is a particularly important point in truck accident claims as injuries arising out of this type of accident can be so severe that extensive medical treatment may be needed and the individual may require long-term care, both of which can be very expensive.

In addition, your vehicle may end up being completely totaled, requiring vehicle replacement, which adds up with regard to the bills and damages. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage will cover things like medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering as well as property damages. 

However, disputes over liability may cloud your ability to claim compensation after a truck accident, so it’s best to work with a truck accident attorney who understands the ins and outs of underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage. 

Best Countrywide Truck Accident Attorneys – Call Us Today!

Truck accident cases are complicated thanks to the involvement of insurance companies and the various insurance packages they offer to either party. In addition, a lack of knowledge with regard to which insurance company pays what is the reason why consulting with an attorney is absolutely vital. Insurance companies are also not open when it comes to paying out claims in full, and may try to minimize your payouts and even get you to sign documents which will bar you from seeking justice in its entirety.

It’s because of these and other reasons why you should work with one of our best truck attorneys who has vast experience dealing with insurance companies so you are able to weather this storm and have a level-headed defense on your side, helping you recover the maximum allowed compensation after being involved in a truck accident. Please, call us NOW at 312-444-0214 if you were the victim of a truck accident, and we will help assess your case via a FREE consultation and advise you on the next steps to take. Thanks for choosing McCready Law, and we look forward to helping you.