Five Alaska Truck Accident Myths
Trucking is an essential industry in Alaska and throughout the US, with a constant flow of goods to meet the demands of consumers and businesses. Considering their size and weight, you probably would not be surprised to learn that truck accidents are a serious problem. Data compiled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is proof, as the number of crashes involving large trucks is on the rise. From 2009 to 2015, there was a 62% increase in injury-causing collisions; another jump occurred over 2016-2017, when victims were hurt in more than 107,000 truck accidents.
If you were injured in a truck crash, you might already know that you have legal remedies to recover compensation for your losses. However, the laws are complicated and there are many misconceptions that could affect your rights. Trust anAlaska truck accident lawyer to help you sidestep such myths as:
- Hours of Service (HOS) rules are strictly enforced. Despite regulations that restrict the amount of time a driver can spend behind the wheel, many truck operators will push the limits to complete a job. Worse, some trucking companies will encourage drivers to extend their HOS or neglect to impose punishment when operators violate the rules. The result is fatigued, drowsy truck drivers whose negligence causes a crash or makes them unable to avoid one.
- The truck driver is always at fault. This is a myth because any driver on the road might be responsible for a truck accident, such as by cutting off traffic, improper lane changes, texting while driving, or other careless acts. Alaska has a contributory negligence law that could affect your compensation if you were partly at fault in causing a crash.
- Trucking insurance companies make sure you get the compensation you deserve. The opposite is true since insurers are for-profit businesses. They strive to protect their own bottom line, and your claim is a threat to the company’s financial interests. The claims adjuster assigned to your matter will do everything possible to deny payment or offer a lowball amount to settle.
- Your truck accident lawsuit will take years to resolve. Though there are challenges in reaching a fair settlement with an insurance company, most truck crash claims are resolved without going to court. You could receive payment within just a few weeks, but it is important to have a lawyer’s assistance to ensure you recover reasonable compensation.
- Truck crash attorneys are expensive. To the contrary, most lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means you do not pay for legal services unless you obtain monetary damages. Fees are deducted from the amount you receive.
Get More Information From an Alaska Truck Accident Attorney
When misinformation could have a serious adverse impact on your rights as the victim of a truck crash, you can see how it is essential to retain experienced legal counsel for assistance with your claim. To learn how we can help get the compensation you deserve, please contact Power & Power Law in Anchorage, Alaska. You can set up a free consultation with a member of our team, who can debunk additional myths about these cases.