Tennessee motorists understand that commercial trucks are ubiquitous on both highways and smaller roads. In fact, a driver is likely to encounter a semi-truck or tractor at some point during their commute. Understandably, drivers are extra cautious when navigating around these vehicles as a crash can easily occur. However, the fact is that at some point, motor vehicle accidents will occur between passenger cars and commercial vehicles.
Settlements and should you do it?
One of the most common reasons why you would consider simply settling and receiving a lump sum for your damages is if there were other vehicles involved. The fact is that the more people involved, the longer the case would take to complete. A personal injury lawyer may advise you to simply settle in order for you to pay your medical bills and move on from this often stressful process. However, this can often backfire as you may not receive a fair settlement. In fact, the trucking company will likely give a brief look at your claims and make a lowball offer. Some of the items that determine your settlement amount include:
- If it’s possible for you to return to work
- The severity of your injuries
- How much work you have actually lost
Compensation from trucking company
In the event of an accident, you are likely to seek compensation from the company that owns the truck. They are usually covered liability insurance, and thus it is likely that you would be compensated. However, that is very different from being properly compensated. Thus it is recommended to collect the proper documents such as police reports and driver certification to ensure that the trucking company is providing you with the appropriate compensation.