When it comes to representing victims of truck accidents involving semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and commercial trucks, our team at Keys Law Office takes pride in handling all aspects of your case, from negotiating with insurance companies and working closely with accident reconstruction specialists to representing you in court to secure the justice and compensation you deserve. There is peace of mind in knowing you have someone on your side. But along the way, you or your family may come across various legal terms and jargon that might sound foreign to you. After all, it’s not every day that you’re involved in such a catastrophic accident.
To that end, we have compiled a basic list of truck accident personal injury terms you will likely hear. Having a basic understanding of these terms ahead of time can reduce confusion and ensure you feel confident about how your case is being handled.
Common Truck Accident Terms You and Your Family Need To Know
While not an exhaustive list, you will likely hear these terms after filing a claim and speaking with an attorney.
Commercial vehicle
Denotes a vehicle commonly used for business. For trucking accidents, we mean semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and other large vehicles. Commercial semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, making them much heavier and larger than other vehicles. Due to their size and weight, they can cause severe injuries or even fatalities.
Negligence
A failure to exercise reasonable care when operating or maintaining a large truck that leads to an accident or injury involving another vehicle or person. Examples of negligence involving truck accidents include, but aren’t limited to, speeding, distracted driving, driver fatigue, improper maintenance or inspection of the vehicle, and violations of federal or state regulations.
Distracted driving
Distractions that can lead an otherwise good truck driver to swerve into the adjacent lane, lose track of how fast they are going, or fail to stop in time. Distractions include texting, eating, talking on the phone, putting on makeup while driving, conversing with other passengers, letting your mind wander, and adjusting GPS settings.
Third-party claim
A personal injury claim where a claim is filed against the truck driver’s or trucking company’s insurance provider.
Evidence
Anything that can be used to accurately document what happened and how (to the best of your knowledge) and prove your truck accident personal injury claim. Examples include cell phone photos and videos of damage, injuries, license plate numbers, company names, road conditions, location markers, weather conditions, etc.
Wrongful death
This claim is a form of personal injury legal action filed on behalf of the deceased victim. The goal is to hold the responsible party accountable for the death of your loved one.
Hours-of-Service rules
These limit how long a driver can safely be on the road. The goal is to reduce fatigue-related truck accidents.
Liability
Being responsible for what happened. For instance, a truck driver, the trucking company they were working for at the time of the accident, and even truck manufacturers can be held liable for causing the truck accident.
Plaintiff
The injured party or family member who has filed a trucking accident personal injury claim.
Defendant
The presumed at-fault person(s) or entity.
Damages
This refers to the amount of money awarded to you for loss, injury, or harm suffered as a result of the truck accident.
Settlement
An agreement to resolve your truck accident personal injury claim without going to trial.
Improperly loaded cargo
Anything the truck is hauling that becomes unbalanced and leads to dangerous loads spilling onto the highway or the truck itself rolling over or blowing a tire due to the excess weight. Federal weight and cargo securement standards are in place for all large or heavy trucks on the road, and these loads should be routinely inspected before and during transport to ensure they are adequately distributed and secure.
Expert witness
A professional who testifies on behalf of one of the parties about what happened and who was at fault.
Statute of limitations
This law limits the time a victim or their family members have to file a truck accident personal injury claim.
Mechanical failures
Tire blowouts, steering issues, and brake failure. The driver or truck company could be at fault if they did not adhere to regular maintenance, inspections, pre- and post-trip checks, repairs, and other important safety checks.
Deposition
A sworn statement about the facts of the case made during the discovery stages of your personal injury claim.
Pain and suffering
The physical pain and suffering that comes from truck accident injuries. If this describes your situation, you may be entitled to compensation due to pain and suffering.
Emotional distress
Beyond the physical injuries, many victims suffer from anxiety, PTSD, and even depression. Compensation in this area addresses costs related to the psychological impact of truck accidents.
Punitive damages
If your personal injury attorney can prove the responsible party acted carelessly, recklessly, intentionally, or failed to take action to prevent harm, this sends a strong message about the severity of their actions. An example is driving while intoxicated.
Black box data
Electronic data recorded by a truck’s onboard system. These can provide critical information about speed, braking, and driver behavior before a crash.
Call Keys Law Offices Today!!
Large truck accidents can occur for various reasons, including fatigue, distracted driving, speeding, inadequate training, and drug and alcohol use. Sometimes, the truck company can be liable for the accident if it fails to maintain or inspect the truck properly or violates federal or state regulations. At Keys Law Offices, we are dedicated to representing victims of truck accidents and their families, including those involving semi-trucks.
We understand the complex legal and regulatory issues involved in truck accident cases, and we know how to investigate and litigate these cases to ensure that our clients get the compensation they deserve. Please do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation.
Our staff is always available. Call us today!