When semi-trucks cause collisions with passenger vehicles, it is easy to predict who is the most at risk. After all, semi-trucks are so much bigger and heavier than passenger vehicles that they may suffer minimal cosmetic damage in a crash that leaves a passenger vehicle unsafe to drive.
Those involved in collisions caused by semi-trucks typically expect to receive assistance handling their medical expenses and lost wages. They may fail to recognize how the details of their situation could make the pursuit of compensation more complicated. For example, some types of injuries can be more difficult for people to address after a crash caused by a commercial truck than others.
Some injuries look less serious on paper
There are many different types of injuries that people could incur in a car crash. Broken bones, soft tissue injuries and lacerations can easily occur in a crash. People may experience more catastrophic injuries as well, ranging from limb loss and brain injuries to spinal cord injuries.
Injuries that people perceive as easy to treat can be some of the hardest to secure compensation for after a crash. Insurance professionals and jurors in court can be dismissive about the long-term implications of whiplash or a fracture to someone’s arm.
However, both of those conditions can be more severe in some cases than others. Those who have typically minor injuries presenting in a severe fashion often have an uphill battle when seeking compensation. They have to prove the severity of the injury in addition to convincing others that the injury is the result of the crash and has generated economic losses.
Some injuries cause too many expenses
More serious injuries may not cause conflicts about whether someone needs compensation or not. Instead, insurance professionals and those representing the trucking company may try to push those making claims for catastrophic injuries into settling.
Typically, a semi-truck needs to have at least $750,000 of liability coverage. However, even a six-figure policy may prove inadequate when someone has catastrophic injuries. More severe medical issues that cause massive medical expenses and long-term income consequences may cost more than insurance is likely to cover.
In such cases, people need to prepare for the possibility of a personal injury lawsuit. Depending on the circumstances, it could be possible to take legal action against the truck driver or the trucking company. Litigation is sometimes the only way to fully offset the extensive financial setbacks generated by severe injuries after a semi-truck collision.
Those involved in semi-truck collisions need to understand how different types of injuries can potentially complicate the claims process. Having realistic expectations about the amount of compensation available – and the timeline for the claim – can help people better manage the stress related to a commercial vehicle collision. Seeking personalized legal guidance is a good way to clarify expectations in this regard.
