Have you or a loved one suffered the harrowing consequences of a tractor-trailer accident? These colossal vehicles, often referred to as “18-wheelers,” can inflict catastrophic damage due to their sheer size and weight. Even if you’re in an SUV, these trucks are so much bigger. If you’ve been injured, you very well may be due compensation. That’s where Belal Hamideh, an experienced tractor-trailer accident attorney for West Covina, can help. He and the rest of the team here can help you to recover maximum compensation for everything you’ve been through.
Understanding the Compensation You Deserve
In the aftermath of a tractor-trailer accident, you very well may be entitled to compensation for what you have endured. As such, you can file for damages. These damages encompass both economic and non-economic forms.
Economic damages account for the tangible expenses that arise from the accident. They include medical bills, rehabilitation costs, expenses for medication, fees for physical therapy, and transportation expenses for medical appointments. If you lack medical insurance or financial resources, Belal Hamideh can leverage his extensive network to connect you with trusted healthcare providers who work on a contingency basis, relieving you of the upfront financial burden.
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, pertain to intangible losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, the loss of enjoyment of life, and other hardships you’ve endured due to the accident. In tragic cases that result in fatalities, we can also pursue wrongful death suits to secure compensation for funeral costs and similar concerns, easing the financial burdens you may face.
Tractor-Trailers Explained
The term “tractor-trailer” is synonymous with several other names such as “truck,” “big rig,” or “semi-truck.” These behemoths consist of two fundamental components: the “tractor,” housing the engine, and the “trailer,” which carries the cargo. The moniker “18-wheeler” derives from the total number of wheels on both the tractor and the trailer. No matter what you call them, these vehicles are exponentially larger and more imposing than regular domestic vehicles, magnifying the dangers associated with accidents involving them.
Different Kinds of Tractor-Trailer Accidents
Tractor-trailer accidents can take many different forms, each fraught with significant consequences.
Rollovers, for instance, occur when a truck overturns onto its side, potentially colliding with multiple vehicles, which could cause widespread devastation.
Underride accidents are equally perilous, as they involve smaller vehicles sliding beneath the truck, often leading to grievous injuries.
Jackknifing, often instigated by factors like excessive speed or equipment failure, results in the trailer folding at the joint, causing a cataclysmic loss of control.
These truck accidents and many others can have any number of causes. They can be attributed to unsecured cargo, blown-out tires, and other mechanical failures, further emphasizing the urgency of seeking legal counsel.
Navigating the Aftermath of a Tractor-Trailer Accident
In the wake of a traumatic tractor-trailer accident, the foremost concern is safety—ensuring your well-being and the welfare of all parties involved.
So, right after an accident, it’s imperative to assess injuries, contact law enforcement, and gather crucial information from the truck driver.
This information should include their name, address, contact details, insurance policy number, and the license plate number of the truck involved. Above all, refrain from admitting fault, as such admissions can complicate the legal process.
Documenting the accident scene through photographs and videos is another critical step to take, as it preserves crucial evidence. Do so as long as you can stay safe.
Subsequently, it is of paramount importance to seek medical attention promptly, even if your injuries initially appear minor, as these injuries may have long-term consequences that could be obscured at the outset.
Liability in Tractor-Trailer Accidents
Once you entrust your case to Belal Hamideh, he initiates a comprehensive investigative process aimed at identifying all parties liable for the accident. While the truck driver may bear responsibility for negligence, other entities within the trucking industry, including the trucking company, cargo loaders, manufacturers, or maintenance personnel, might share liability. Our objective is to build a robust and compelling case, one that safeguards your rights and ensures that you receive the maximum compensation commensurate with your situation.
Belal Hamideh: Your Trusted Advocate in Tractor-Trailer Accidents
Tractor-trailer accidents can be some of the most challenging experiences a person ever goes through. Procrastinating legal action can imperil your chances of obtaining fair compensation for your injuries and losses. Belal Hamideh, backed by his dedicated and experienced team, offers you the assurance of legal representation on a contingency basis. Under this arrangement, you are not required to bear any upfront costs.
With our 99% success rate, Belal Hamideh has demonstrated time and again his unwavering commitment to securing justice for his clients. If you were hurt in a tractor-trailer accident due to another’s negligence and/or recklessness, you deserve compensation. For a free case evaluation, complete the contact form at our site or give us a call.