One look at the massive 18-wheeler big rigs traveling along Interstate A1 and other nearby highways should tell you that an Anchorage truck accident is likely to be catastrophic. Statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrationsupport this conclusion, as there were around 4,900 fatal crashes and 116,000 injury-causing incidents involving trucks in the US in 2017.

However, what you may not know is that truck accident claims can also be much more complicated than a typical motor vehicle crash. It is always important to work with experienced counsel in any traffic-related incident, but retaining anAlaska trucking accident attorney is even more critical for the following reasons.

Severe, Catastrophic Injuries are Common

A semi-truck outweighs the average passenger vehicle by up to 20 times, depending on the cargo it carries. Injuries for victims tend to be life-threatening and catastrophic, including injuries to the head, neck, spinal cord, and internal organs. Many times, a victim will suffer permanent disability. These severe injuries often require emergency care, surgery, longer hospital stays, and ongoing treatment. Medical costs usually far exceed those of a typical car crash.

The Stakes are High for Truck Insurance Companies

Truck operators are required by federal and state law to carry much higher levels of insurance coverage, because of the potential of extreme losses in an accident. These policies run in the millions of dollars, which is an enormous risk for insurers. These companies will assign your truck accident claim to their best, most experienced claims adjusters to protect their interests. The employee’s single, paramount goal is to fight your claim at all costs.

You May be Fighting Multiple Parties

In a typical motor vehicle collision claim, you will be dealing with the responsible driver and his or her insurer. A truck accident is more complex because there may be additional parties beyond the operator and insurance company. Examples include:

  • The truck driver’s employer;
  • An individual, business entity, or partnership that owns the rig;
  • A school or facility that was negligent in training the driver;
  • The manufacturer of any defective truck component or part; and,
  • Others, depending on the details of your claim.

You Will Likely Need to File a Civil Lawsuit

Because insurers will aggressively fight your injury claim, you will probably need to take the next step after settlement negotiations — litigation. Unless you have a legal background, you are at a disadvantage when up against the insurer’s legal department. Truck accident lawsuits require in-depth knowledge of all relevant case law, statutes, and court procedural rules, further complicating these cases.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Alaska Truck Accident Lawyer Today

If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a truck crash, you will need solid representation to help you overcome these challenges and obtain the compensation you deserve for your losses. Our attorneys at Power & Power Law in Anchorage, Alaska can provide the legal support you need, so please contact our office to set up a no-cost case evaluation. We can explain more about the claims process after reviewing your specific circumstances.