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What’s My Truck Accident Claim Worth?

Any motor vehicle accident can lead to serious injuries, but truck accidents tend to be more devastating in the harm they cause to victims. You may face an uphill battle during recovery, as medical costs increase with the severity of the injuries, and your pain and suffering is more intense. It’s possible to obtain compensation for your losses, but there are complicated issues involved. You’ll need to retain the legal help of an experienced truck accident lawyer to represent your interests, especially when filing a claim with an insurance company.

At Studinski Law, LLC, we can explain your legal options and discuss the potential value of your claim after reviewing the details of your case. If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident, contact us today at (715) 343-2850 to schedule a free consultation.

Severity of Truck Accident Injuries

Due to the size and weight disparities between a truck and a passenger vehicle, victims of truck accidents can suffer catastrophic injuries. The maximum legal weight of a tractor-trailer with a fully loaded trailer is 80,000 pounds. By comparison, the average automobile weighs about 5,000 pounds.

Other factors that impact the severity of truck accident injuries include:

• Height – The standard height of a truck is 13 feet, six inches. This measurement is more than double that of a sedan.
• Wheelbase – A truck’s wheel base is broader than a car by several dozen inches.
• Stopping Distance – Though it may vary depending on the load type and weight, a truck needs significantly more distance to come to a stop as compared to cars.

Based on these figures, you can see why truck accident injuries are usually more severe. You are more likely to experience head injuries, broken bones, damage to internal organs, and spinal cord injuries if you’re in this type of accident. In crashes involving a truck carrying hazardous substances, burns are common. These types of injuries typically require extensive hospital stays and long rehabilitation periods. Many victims never fully recover.

Insurance Issues in Truck Accidents

Because of their potential to cause tragic accidents, truck operators are required to carry insurance policies that are considerably higher than motorists’ typical coverage. The U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires an operator to have $300,000-$5,000,000 in coverage, depending on the weight and type of cargo they are transporting. However, some trucking companies require their operators to carry policies much higher than these bare minimums.

The stakes are high for a truck insurance company, and they will do all they can to protect their bottom line. Insurance companies put their most experienced, skilled agents on truck accident cases to minimize their financial risk. These employees work for the insurer, not for you, so you can be sure they don’t have your best interests in mind.

Statute of Limitations in Truck Accident Claims

A truck accident lawyer can provide valuable legal assistance in your claim for compensation, but it’s important to act quickly. The statute of limitations for truck accident cases in Wisconsin is three years or less, so you forfeit your rights if you don’t file a lawsuit within this time frame. Additionally, the value of your truck accident claim may diminish over time. The insurance company may question the severity of your injuries, evidence can be compromised, and the recollection of witnesses may fade.

Consult with a Skilled Truck Accident Lawyer Today

For more information on what your truck accident claim is worth, please contact Studinski Law, LLC right away. With years of experience representing truck accident victims, we are prepared to help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at (715) 343-2850 to schedule a free, initial case evaluation.