A commercial vehicle is owned by a company and operated by its employees or agents. It may be a truck used to haul goods, a van used to transport passengers or packages, or a car used by an employee while on the clock. These vehicles are often involved in crashes, with some being so severe fatalities are involved. An accident with a commercial vehicle is handled differently by insurance companies than one involving only personal vehicles.
The first thing you should be aware of is that companies and their insurance agents will immediately begin taking measures to keep damage expenses as low as possible. In an effort to preserve crucial evidence that may be needed in a lawsuit, it is necessary to document the scene on your own if you are able. Jot down notes including date, time and location of accident, take pictures of all vehicles involved as well as the surrounding area, and collect all identifying information from the drivers as well as insurance company information. Then, it is highly suggested that you immediately contact a commercial vehicle accident attorney who can obtain this information from you and hold it in a safe place.
It won’t be long before you hear from the company insurance agent. Allowing an experienced attorney to handle these communications on your behalf will prevent any undue duress under which you may feel inclined to prematurely sign a document releasing them from any further liability. This can result in an accident victim receiving far less compensation than what should have been due.
There are a whole host of reasons why commercial vehicle accidents take place. Some of those are driver error, improperly loaded cargo, and failure to properly maintain vehicles. With an aggressive attorney on your side, compensation after these types of accidents can include loss of wages, pain and suffering, medical expenses, property damage, and other substantial awards.
