TRUCKING ACCIDENTS

Truck accidents often cause fatal injuries and tear the lives of loved ones left behind apart. Serious or catastrophic injuries, such as brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other catastrophic injuries, are the results of being in an accident with a truck. You may face steep medical costs, lengthy recovery times, constant uncertainty, and wondering if you will be able to afford the treatments or if your insurance will cover your bills.

Unfortunately, the insurance company will often try to offer you the least possible amount of money after delaying your claim so you will take their offer, even though the money offered will not necessarily cover your out-of-pocket expenses, much less the pain and suffering resulting from your injuries. In a truck accident time is of the essence. Time is of the essence after a trucking accident. The longer you or your loved ones wait after an accident, the higher the chances that evidence will disappear. For example, witnesses move away or forget, or the trucking company getting rid of inspection records, driver logs, and other documents that can help your case.

You may have to file a claim against the company instead of the truck driver if they are employed by the company. It will be more difficult to find evidence to sue the trucking company if the driver is an independent contractor. Our lawyers will examine your situation to determine who is liable for your injuries.

In Alberta, the statute of limitations for truck accidents follows a similar framework to that of motor vehicle accidents (MVAs), with certain considerations specific to truck accidents. Generally, claimants have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim against the at-fault party involved in the truck accident. This two-year period serves as the standard time frame for initiating legal action in such cases. However, there are exceptions. For example, if a minor is injured in a vehicle accident involving a truck, the statute of limitation for them commences once they reach the age of majority. Also, specific scenarios, such as involvement with municipal entities or hit-and-run incidents, may significantly reduce the time frame for filing a claim. For example, if the truck accident involves a municipality, claimants have only 30 days to notify the relevant authorities.

When searching for a law firm to handle your truck accident litigations, the most important factors to consider are personal attention to your case and experience with trucking litigation. At Grover Law Firm, we believe that experience with truck accident cases is essential to achieving favourable results for our clients. Our team dedicates time to thoroughly investigate the case and takes it to trial when necessary. To secure successful results, we are selective of the cases we take to ensure we have enough time to fully review each case.

Assess your health and safety along with others that are involved, and seek immediate medical attention. Then contact the police to provide all the information you can remember to document the accident. Please take images of the scene before clearing the road if your vehicle is blocking traffic. Obtain information from the truck driver, including their name, phone number, driver’s license number, insurance company, policy number, home address, and details of the company. If there are witnesses, ensure you obtain their contact information. Ensure you see a doctor even if you feel fine to identify any injuries.

“Damages” are the compensation you are entitled to receiving after the accident. Compensation includes medical expenses, medications, pain and suffering, and treatments and therapies. A settlement payout could include lost earning capacity, property damages, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

First of all, there is no minimum settlement limit for a truck accident case, and in general, it depends on the circumstances of the case. For example, minor injuries might result in settlements of between $3,000 – $5,000 covering medical costs and lost pay. Moderate injuries could lead to settlements of up to $50,000 – $75,000 encompassing medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Severe injuries may result in settlements or verdicts of up to $500,000 or even more, covering medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and permanent disabilities. In cases of wrongful death, settlements can reach up to $1 million, covering loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and other damages.