A collision with a commercial vehicle could result in significant injuries such as whiplash, broken bones or internal bleeding. These injuries may make it difficult or impossible to go back to work, go back to school or otherwise experience an adequate quality of life. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills and other damages from the driver of the commercial vehicle as part of a settlement or jury award.
Commercial truck accidents tend to be more severe
Commercial trucks can weigh up to 30,000 pounds while your vehicle may only weigh 3,000 pounds. This means that they generate more force upon impact compared to your passenger car. In addition, the sheer size of a commercial vehicle compared to your car or SUV means you are more likely to be run off of the road or otherwise treated like a toy if a collision occurs.
Symptoms may take hours or days to appear
After an accident, your body will go into a state of shock, which may mask the signs of an injury such as head pain or muscle soreness. It’s also possible that you won’t notice the signs of internal injuries right away because you won’t be able to see cuts, bruises or other indications that something might be wrong.
This is why it’s important to seek treatment immediately after a crash. Furthermore, you should never say that you aren’t hurt until you have been checked out by a doctor as it could complicate your ability to obtain a favorable outcome in your case.
Causes of truck accidents
Truck driver fatigue, poor road conditions and poorly maintained vehicles are all common reasons why truck accidents occur. Accidents may also occur because of improper lane changes, excessive speed or driver impairment.
In Florida, you have four years from the date of a truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to take that long to see an outcome. Typically, car accident cases are resolved through a negotiated settlement.
