Lifestyle

What Does a Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Do?

If you’ve been in a truck accident, getting the right semi-truck accident lawyer on board is one of the first things you’ll need to do.

A truck accident attorney represents the truck driver or trucking company after an accident. They help trucking companies and drivers access fair settlements from insurance companies. They also make the process of commercial truck insurance claims and possible lawsuits easy to navigate.

This guide explores exactly what a truck accident lawyer does, and what you need to consider when choosing one.

Semi-Truck Accident Lawyers: Overview

A semi-truck accident lawyer works in tort law, which means they work to fix private or civil wrongs or injuries. This is remedied through compensation of damages.

The injured or affected parties in truck accidents can seek compensation from the negligent party for their losses. This is where truck accident lawyers come into play.

Truck accident lawyers typically work on compensating their clients for damages that relate to:

Lost income from their trucking business
Medical expenses
Damage to the vehicle
A loss of earning capacity
Emotional distress
Wrongful death or physical pain or suffering

You also get personal injury lawyers, who work on a wider range of cases, such as a car accident or an accident in the workplace. Truck accident lawyers are types of personal injury lawyers, but they focus specifically on truck accidents.

So, if you ever end up in a truck accident, one of the first things to do is to get in contact with an experienced truck accident attorney. They can help to fix the situation and get the deserved compensation to the truck driver.

What Does a Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Do?

Depending on the case and truck crash, truck accident attorneys can perform quite a wide range of tasks. This includes the following.

Investigate Truck Accident Cases

The first thing any truck accident lawyer does is investigate the details of the truck crash to establish whether there is a viable case.

Truck drivers will approach a lawyer, and the lawyer will figure out just how strong and valid their case is. Lawyers will usually only take on a truck accident case if they can see that the case has a high chance of winning.

Gather Evidence for Truck Accident Claims

When a lawyer decides to take on a truck accident case, they will need to start investigating the case and gathering all of the required evidence.

This typically involves investigating the scene of the accident, reviewing any pictures or camera footage of the accident, and gathering statements about the trucking accident from any possible witnesses. The lawyer will also evaluate the damage to the vehicle and get familiar with the expenses and medical reports of the client.

Once the evidence has been gathered, the lawyer will start building a case around it. This is why it’s so important for truck drivers to take photos and take down all the details straight after truck accidents happen.

Send a Demand Letter

Depending on the truck accident and the case, a truck accident lawyer might need to send a demand letter to the insurance company of the at-fault driver. This letter outlines the details of the truck accident and demands specified compensation.

Negotiate With Insurance Companies

One of the most important reasons to work with an experienced truck accident lawyer is to access their insurance negotiation skills. Insurance companies are very good at finding ways to pay the least possible amount on a settlement. With a truck accident attorney, you get the best chance at maximizing your truck accident claim.

Lawyers know how to negotiate with insurance companies about trucking accidents. They understand their client’s legal rights, and the details of insurance policies, and always communicate with the insurance company. This can help any truck driver or trucking company get the settlement they deserve after a trucking accident.

Prepare Complaints

In many cases, the trucking accident lawyer’s job ends after negotiating with the insurance company. However, if the insurance company fails to settle at the right amount, the lawyer may need to send a complaint to the at-fault party. This is one of the first documents sent out in truck accident lawsuits.

Prepare Cases for Trial

If a truck accident case goes to trial, the lawyer will start preparing the case. While many cases settle before going to trial, truck accident lawyers need to prepare the case for the worst.

This process focuses on gathering the right evidence, understanding relevant case law, speaking to witnesses, drafting statements, and so on.

Provide Representation at Trial

Finally, if truck accidents do go to court, truck accident lawyers will provide legal representation to the truck driver throughout the trial.

How to Find the Right Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer

Finding the right semi-truck accident lawyer requires careful consideration, as these lawyers play such a crucial role in resolving truck accidents.

Start by researching lawyers with expertise in trucking accidents and personal injury law. Look for experience, reputation, and track record of successful case outcomes.

Ideally, look for recommendations from trusted sources, like other truck drivers, friends, family, or legal professionals. Schedule consultations with potential truck accident attorneys to discuss your case and understand their communication skills and responsiveness.

Consider the fee structure of each truck accident attorney and ensure it aligns with your budget. Finally, trust your instincts and choose a lawyer who makes you feel comfortable and confident in their abilities to represent your interests.

Conclusion

With a good lawyer on your side, any trucking company or driver will be in a far better position after a crash.

You must use an experienced semi-truck accident lawyer to get a fair settlement and compensation after a truck crash. As trucking crashes can have such a major impact on any truck driver’s health and business, ensuring you get this right is essential.

This is why having the right semi-truck accident attorney available is one of the most valuable things you need to prepare if any commercial truck accidents take place.

If you’re looking to finance a semi-truck, make sure to swing by Mission Financial Services for competitive pricing and top-tier advice.

Everything To Know About Used Semi Trucks For Sale By Owner

Buying a semi-truck can be a complicated process – especially if you buy semi-trucks directly from the owner.

You need to make sure that the truck is suitable for your needs, in good condition, and that the price is right. You also need to ensure all documentation and legalities are sorted before proceeding with the purchase.

To help you buy a semi-truck for sale by owner, this guide outlines all the steps and considerations you need to make.

Used Semi Trucks For Sale By Owner: The Guide

Research and Budgeting

Before you start searching for used semi trucks for sale, determine your budget and the type of truck you need. This should depend on the type of semi-truck business you run, the type of cargo you plan to haul, and the length of the routes you plan to run.

If you plan to do long routes, then look for semi-trucks that have all the required features for sleeping, eating, and driving. If you plan to haul goods over short distances, then you may need a more simple truck.

Of course, you’ll need to consider factors like the truck’s age, mileage, make, model, and any specific features you require. All of this should be planned. Otherwise, you will face a wide selection of trucks that don’t fit your requirements.

When researching for semi-trucks for sale by owner, be sure to also consider the insurance costs and add this to your budget. Planning this will help you establish a clear budget. Now, you can start saving for a down payment on this – usually around 10%.

Finding Trucks for Sale

Now that you know what you want, you can start to search for semi-trucks for sale by owner.

There are many different places that truckers can look when buying used vehicles. Look for used semi trucks being sold by owners through various channels, such as online classified ads, trucking forums, social media groups, and local newspapers. Websites like Craigslist, Truck Paper, and Commercial Truck Trader are also great resources.

Finding the right truck should be relatively straightforward if you have put enough planning in because you can simply look for a vehicle that matches your specific requirements and price within your location.

Ideally, you’ll look for manufacturers and models that you are familiar with.

Once you have found a few suitable semi-trucks, get in touch with the owner and arrange to check the truck out.

Request a Vehicle History Report

Once you’ve found a truck and seller that looks good, you need to make sure that the vehicle is trustworthy.

Always request a vehicle history report for any truck you’re interested in. This report will provide vital information about the truck’s accident history, title status, and odometer readings. Services like Carfax or AutoCheck can help you obtain these reports.

It’s also important to ask the owner for maintenance records and service history. Regular maintenance is crucial for the longevity of a truck, and well-documented records indicate a well-cared-for vehicle.

When you search for semi-trucks for sale by owner, there’s a lot more risk involved compared to purchasing from a reputable company. As this is such an expensive investment, you need to make sure that you carefully research any vehicle you find before you buy it.

Inspect and Test Drive the Truck

Arrange to inspect the truck in person before making any commitments.

Look for signs of wear, rust, mechanical issues, and damage. Check the engine, transmission, brakes, tires, fuel filters, and other critical components. This could help you pick up on potentially expensive issues – like bad shocks.

If you’re not knowledgeable about trucks, consider hiring a professional mechanic to inspect them. This could end up saving you a lot of money and headaches.

Take the truck for a test drive. Evaluate how it handles, accelerates, and brakes. Pay attention to any strange noises or vibrations during the drive. Pay attention to how clean the truck is too, as this could be a signal for how well-cared for the truck is. Make sure you have a complete understanding of the model before you choose to buy it.

Consider all the Ownership Costs

As mentioned earlier, your budget must include all the costs of owning a truck. These extend beyond the truck itself and include things like cargo handling equipment, insurance, and semi-truck parking costs.

Consider the overall cost of ownership, including insurance, fuel, maintenance, and potential repair expenses. Factor these costs into your budgeting and decision-making process.

Prepare for the Purchase

When you find the right truck, you’ll need to get all the documents ready and prepare for purchase.

Ensure that the truck’s title is clear and that there are no outstanding legal issues with the vehicle. Verify that the necessary paperwork is for a smooth ownership transfer.

Always have a written purchase agreement that outlines the terms of the sale, including the agreed-upon price, conditions, and any warranties or guarantees.

Secure Funding

Finally, you’ll need to secure a loan for buying a semi-truck. Mission Financial makes this process easy, as any truckers can find semi-truck funding that matches their needs – even with a bad credit score.

Get in touch with us to get a quote and see how easy it is to find funding for a used semi-truck.

Insurance, Registration, and Licensing

Once you own the truck, complete the registration and licensing process in your state or country as required. You’ll also need to make sure your truck is properly insured from day one.

Once this has been done, the semi-truck is ready for you to drive away.

Conclusion

Buying used semi-trucks is a great way to save money. When you follow the right process and properly research and inspect the vehicle, finding the perfect truck is easier than you think.

Be sure to follow the steps outlined above, and take your time looking for a used semi-truck. With a careful buying process in place, you should be able to find a truck that matches all of your requirements. Reach out to Mission Financial Services if you have any questions!

What Commercial Vehicle Insurance Cost Should You Expect? (+ FAQs)

If you’re looking to know all you can about commercial vehicle insurance cost, read on.

If your company owns and uses vehicles for business operations, you most likely need commercial auto insurance coverage. It’s legally required in most states.

On average, commercial vehicle insurance costs around $147 per month for each vehicle. You could pay more or less, depending on your type of vehicle, and coverage limits, among other factors.

Learn more about commercial vehicle insurance and its costs below. We’ll also share practical tips to help you save money when getting insurance coverage for your company vehicles.

What Is Commercial Vehicle Insurance

Commercial car insurance is a form of auto insurance designed for vehicles conducting business operations. You and your insurer get into an agreement outlining how the insurance company will compensate you for any financial losses related to an accident.

It’s different from personal auto insurance, although both offer personal injury protection. Personal car insurance policy only covers claims related to non-business use. You can’t rely on this type of insurance coverage if you or your employee needs to pay for any damages after causing an accident.

Without commercial insurance, your business will have to cater for any legal and medical expenses out-of-pocket, which can be expensive.

How Much Does Commercial Auto Insurance Cost

The cost of commercial auto insurance ranges from $50 to $200 per month, per vehicle, averaging out at about $147, as noted earlier. That’s around $600 to $2400 annually for a standard car used for commercial purposes. Other types of commercial vehicles will require you to pay more.

Here’s what you should expect to pay annually to insure different types of business vehicles:

Box trucks/ Delivery vans: $3,300 to $6,200
Taxis/ Limousines: $4,000 to $10,000
Semi-trucks: $8,000 to $12,000
Commercial bus: $35,000+

Besides the type of business vehicles you own, six other main factors affect how much you’ll pay for commercial car insurance.

Factors Affecting The Cost Of Commercial Vehicle Insurance

Insurance providers use different aspects of your business to set commercial auto insurance rates. Some of these include:

Type Of Coverage

The type of commercial auto coverage you choose will affect your commercial vehicle insurance cost. By law, the basic coverage required in most states is auto liability.

Auto liability is the lowest-cost property damage and bodily injury liability insurance coverage. It helps pay for physical damages to another party’s vehicles or property and their medical expenses when your company vehicle causes an auto accident.

In addition to auto liability, you may purchase any of the following commercial auto insurance covers. Each additional coverage increases your commercial auto insurance costs by a different amount, which varies from one insurance provider to another.

Collision coverage: Pays for damages to your vehicle after an accident, whether you were at fault or not.
Comprehensive coverage: Protects your company vehicles against theft and other non-collision damages, like fire, vandalism, and certain weather events.
Uninsured motorist coverage: Covers vehicle damage and medical costs for victims of an accident caused by someone uninsured.
Hired and Non-owned liability coverage: Pays for property damage if you use your vehicle or rented car for business purposes.
Rental reimbursement: This covers the cost of renting a vehicle for a specific period, outlined in your commercial policy
GAP protection: This covers you if you lose your vehicle before you finish paying it off. You’ll get the difference between your vehicle’s actual cash value and your loan’s unpaid net balance. To learn more about this and other additional coverage options, check out Mission Financial Services’s add-on coverage offers.

Extent Of Coverage

Commercial auto insurance costs for small business owners with several commercial vehicles and drivers are higher than those with one business vehicle and one driver. The more vehicles or drivers you need to insure, the higher the costs will be.

Coverage Limits

When you purchase coverage, you must determine your coverage limits. Most states have a minimum amount of liability coverage you have to meet. In Illinois, for example, commercial auto insurance policy minimums include:

$25,000 bodily injury liability per person
$50,000 in bodily injury compensation per accident, and
$20,000 property damage liability

Often, state minimums are not always enough to cover insurance claims fully. You’ll almost always have to get higher coverage limits for better protection. Higher limits require higher insurance premiums.

Also, these varying state minimums mean that your location affects your commercial car insurance cost.

Deductibles

Most commercial vehicle insurance policies have deductibles – an amount you must pay out-of-pocket for any claim you face. This affects your commercial auto insurance cost. Higher deductibles reduce your insurance rates, while lower ones increase them.

Type of Business

Your primary business activities and the industry you operate in also affect your commercial auto insurance costs. You’ll pay more to insure vehicles constantly on the road and those operating in industries considered high-risk for accidents. The type of cargo you haul and the distance or miles you cover also contribute to your cost of commercial auto insurance.

For instance, commercial car insurance costs for trucks transporting hazardous materials are higher than for pick-up trucks used for delivery services occasionally.

You’ll also pay more if your company drivers make interstate trips or travel long distances.

Employee Driving Records

When calculating commercial car insurance policy rates, auto insurance companies review your employees’ driving records. Your commercial auto insurance cost might be higher if you have a history of speeding tickets, accidents, or other traffic violations.

In contrast, if all your drivers have a clean driving record, you’ll enjoy lower commercial auto policy rates.

How To Save Money When Getting Commercial Insurance

Choose high deductibles. As mentioned earlier, higher deductibles lower your commercial auto policy rates. You’ll save money on cheaper monthly premiums.
Vet your drivers and maintain a good driving record. Vetting your drivers ensures they have clean driving records, so you get cheaper commercial vehicle insurance rates. To keep these rates low, motivate your drivers to continue driving safely by offering incentives, including bonuses.
Install driving GPS trackers. You will likely qualify for huge discounts if you install trackers and observe other safety measures, like parking in a secure location. In addition to protection against theft, GPS tracking helps you monitor your drivers while on the road. Insurance providers interpret this as a safe driving practice and will offer lower rates.
Check your company vehicle safety features. As a standard practice, commercial vehicle insurance companies base their rates on the safety features of your company vehicle. These features include automatic brakes, airbags, and rearview cameras. The safer your car is, the lower your commercial car insurance costs and the more you’ll save.
Bundle your vehicles as a fleet. If your business owns several vehicles, bundle them as a fleet. Some insurance providers offer discounts for fleets.
Pay your premium upfront. Most commercial auto insurance companies offer discounts when you pay your annual dues in a lump sum.

Conclusion

Commercial car insurance is a must-have if you use your vehicles for work. It’s a safety net for your business, preventing you from spending thousands of dollars in settlement and other costs in case of an accident.

To get the best commercial auto insurance, evaluate your business needs first. You want to get the best auto insurance coverage without buying more than your business requires.

Once you understand your business needs, compare multiple commercial auto insurance quotes. Read the fine print of each quote to understand what’s covered, how much it costs, and whether it aligns with what you’re looking for.

Check out our blog to learn everything you need about commercial insurance for small businesses.

All About Progressive Commercial Truck Insurance

One of the most important decisions to make when purchasing a semi-truck is getting the right commercial truck insurance policy in place. When choosing between different insurance companies, you’re bound to consider Progressive Commercial truck insurance.

Progressive Commercial is the most popular business auto insurance provider in the States. The company offers a wide range of flexible insurance plans and areas of specialization to keep all kinds of truck drivers protected.

This guide covers everything you need to know about Progressive Commercial truck insurance.

Progressive Commercial Truck Insurance

Progressive Commercial is the biggest commercial truck insurance company in the US. The insurance company provides versatile, flexible coverage options for commercial truck drivers. They also provide various payment options, free filings, expert support on commercial trucks, and more.

Progressive Commercial has been offering truck insurance for over 50 years. The company insures practically any kind of truck across all states. This makes it a practical choice of insurance for any kind of commercial truck driver.

What Does This Insurance Offer?

Being the largest auto insurance company in America, Progressive Commercial specializes in many different types of commercial truck insurance. This includes specialist insurance for the following:

Owner Operators

If you operate as a truck driver under your own authority, or if you’re leased to a motor carrier, then Progressive Commercial has truck insurance plans that are suitable for your needs.

Being an owner-operator is tricky, as it typically means you only have a single vehicle to take care of. The flexible plans offered by progressive Commercial truck insurance make things easier for owner-operators.

Motor Carriers

Any for-hire trucking operators can also get specialized insurance plans through Progressive Commercial. This is ideal if you run any kind of for-hire semi-truck business.

Progressive Commercial truck insurance plans include many different options to match the needs of your for-hire trucking business. This includes plans for individual vehicles as well as for large fleets.

Private Carriers

Whether you haul goods for your own trucking business or for an employer, then Progressive Commercial offers comprehensive plans that can handle your insurance needs.

Customized Truck Coverage

In case you run a different kind of trucking business or have specific insurance needs, Progressive Commercial also offers customized coverage.

Some of the truck-specific coverages available include insurance for:

Motor truck cargo
Motor truck general liability
Non-trucking liability
Heavy truck roadside assistance
Rental reimbursement with downtime
Trailer interchange insurance

This means you can get a fully comprehensive commercial auto policy for whatever specific needs your business has.

Ultimately, any kind of truck driver or trucking company can get the right protection with the various policies and areas of specialization offered by Progressive Commercial.

Heavy Truck Claims

Progressive Commercial offers expert truck claims services. This is one of the things that sets this commercial insurance company apart.

Progressive Commercial offers a highly specialized team, knowledgeable about commercial truck claims. Their team of adjusters is entirely in-house and manages the commercial truck repairs process from start to finish.

Progressive Commercial also offers a wide range of pre-approved repair shops. This large network of repair shops gives Progressive Commercial customers priority status. This makes it easy to handle your semi-truck repair process and get your truck back on the road as soon as possible.

State and Federal Filings

Progressive Commercial offers state and federal filings. These insurance filings act as a guarantee to the government, showing that you have the right insurance coverage for your vehicle. This is essential for running a trucking business.

Once the authority has been filed, Progressive Commercial truck insurance handles the rest of the process. This makes it easier to manage the admin side of your business – leaving you more time to focus on the road.

How Much Does Progressive Commercial Truck Insurance Cost?

Of course, the cost of your business auto insurance is a major factor you need to consider.

Every insurance company offers different rates, depending on your specific insurance plan. Your truck insurance quote will also depend on factors like the gross vehicle weight, your coverage limit, whether the insurance covers medical expenses, how long you’ve had your commercial driver’s license, and so on.

The national average monthly cost for Progressive Commercial hire specialty truck insurance ranges from $736 for vocational truckers to around $1125 for other types of transportation truckers.

Every insurance quote is different, based on various factors surrounding your trucking business, The main factors that will influence your insurance costs include:

USDOT inspection history
Coverage requirements
Vehicle type
Cargo
Operating radius
Driving history

Progressive Commercial’s bill plans are competitive, with low down payment options. The company also doesn’t include interest on monthly installments as they do not rely on external premium financing.

Progressive Commercial Truck Insurance: Savings and Discounts

Progressive Commercial also offers various special discounts and options for saving on your commercial truck insurance policy. These options include:

The Smart Haul Program lets truckers save on their payments by using an electronic logging device (ELD) that provides the insurance company with access to the driving data.
The Snapshot ProView saving option that lets truckers save at least 5% on their commercial insurance policy. This is available to truckers without an ELD.
Business Experience Discounts that are available to trucking businesses that have been operating for over three years.
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) discounts let for-hire truckers save by simply having the right license.

It’s worth exploring these different discounts and saving options if you pursue business auto insurance with Progressive Commercial.

Conclusion

Choosing the right commercial truck insurance policy is a critical step when purchasing a business vehicle.

It’s so important to compare quotes from different insurance providers and understand exactly what type of coverage and specializations you need from your insurance policy. Progressive Commercial offers an extensive range of solutions for all kinds of trucks and truck drivers.

Of course, you’ll also need to use the right commercial vehicle financing provider when purchasing a truck. Get in touch with us at Mission Financial, where we help truck drivers of all backgrounds finance their ideal vehicle.

How To Handle A Semi-Truck Accident Lawsuit

Want to know how to handle a semi-truck accident lawsuit? This guide has you covered.

You’ll find info on what to do and what to avoid if you’re involved in a semi-truck accident. Understanding this is crucial. It will prevent you from doing or saying something that might waive your rights to file a claim and end the case before it even begins.

Ensuring your right to file a truck accident lawsuit isn’t tampered with is the first step to handling a semi-truck accident case successfully.

This guide also explains how truck accident lawsuits work so you know how to navigate them smoothly.

What To Do When Involved In A Semi-Truck Accident

If you find yourself in a semi-truck accident, say a commercial truck rams into your car, don’t panic or leave the scene. Instead, try to remain calm and remember the following:

Don’t Admit To Anything

Anything you say can and will likely be used as evidence against your truck accident claim in court. As a result, be careful who you talk to and what you say at the accident scene and afterward.

Specifically, be keen when describing the accident to relevant authorities. Don’t admit fault to anyone, the police included, even if you think you played a part in causing it.

Also, understand that a truck accident settlement can take place anytime from the moment the accident occurs to right before a jury delivers its verdict. This means that representatives from the insurance companies involved can approach you with settlement offers anytime. Some might do this a few days after the accident before you even file your truck accident case.

Often, an insurance company will make such truck accident settlement offers to take advantage of your vulnerable situation after the accident. The offer amount will almost always be less than you deserve, and accepting it means waiving your right to adequate compensation.

It’s best to completely avoid talking to representatives from the commercial truck company or other parties who can be liable for the accident. Find an experienced truck accident attorney instead and let them do the talking on your behalf.

Document Everything

Trucking accidents are more complicated than car accidents involving other vehicles. They require extensive research to prove you deserve to be compensated an X amount for all the injuries, pain, and suffering the accident caused.

Start collecting the evidence you’ll need to build a strong truck accident case immediately after the accident by documenting everything.

Take clear photos of the entire accident scene. Get the details of the trucking company and truck driver, including their name, address, phone number, and registration information. You also want to get the contact information of any eyewitnesses around.

Seek Medical Attention

Always seek proper medical attention after a trucking accident, even if it appears minor. That’s because accidents involving large trucks can cause severe injuries, like a head injury, which may not be very obvious initially.

Going for a check-up will reveal any issue and help you get the right medical treatment in good time. Otherwise, you might suffer medical complications from unattended internal injuries later on. Ensure you keep all records of your medical expenses. They’ll come in handy when your personal injury lawyer needs to calculate the truck accident settlement amount fit for your case.

Get A Truck Accident Lawyer

An experienced truck accident lawyer will file your commercial vehicle accident lawsuit correctly to help you get significant compensation from multiple parties, where applicable. They’ll be keen to follow all necessary steps to ensure you build a solid case from the start. But you have to contact them in time so they can have a good chance to do this.

On average, you have roughly 2-3 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim or wrongful death lawsuit. But the deadline varies depending on your state and the details of your trucking accident.

It’s shorter (about a year) in some states like Louisiana and longer in other states like Florida (4 years), Missouri (5 years), and Maine (6 years). In legal terms, this time limit for filing truck accident cases is known as a statute of limitations.

Most states implement their statute of limitations after years (not days or weeks) to allow truck accident victims to heal before pursuing justice.

However, it’s always best to file an accident lawsuit as early as possible – almost immediately after the accident. Your experienced personal injury lawyer will have ample time to collect accurate evidence from witnesses this way.

That’s because the details of the semi-truck accident will still be fresh in the witnesses’ memory. The lawyer can also move fast to prevent the trucking company and other parties involved from destroying crucial evidence. This is essential, especially during the early stages of handling truck accident cases.

How Truck Accident Lawsuits Work Step by Step

An average truck accident settlement case follows six distinct steps. We’ll discuss these and explain how you can handle each phase effectively.

Step 1: Claim Assessment

In this step, your personal injury lawyer conducts a thorough assessment of your semi-truck accident case for two major reasons:

Establishing Whether You Have A Valid Case

The lawyer will listen to the accident details carefully and explore your legal options and rights based on the facts you provide. Because of this, it is essential to describe the accident as accurately as you can. Also, provide any documentation you might have of the semi-truck accident scene.

Your role in this step is to help your lawyer accurately assess the accident to establish solid grounds for the case. If you think you were at fault, mention it. Your lawyer will ask follow-up questions to determine whether this is true. Most times, you’ll realize other circumstances you’re unaware of might have led to the accident, and you were not at fault.

Determining Liability And Damages You Should Receive Compensation For

If you were not at fault, the lawyer will evaluate the case details to identify the parties responsible for the semi-truck accident.

In most situations, truck drivers are the first party to blame, but semi-truck accidents present several legal liability routes. Multiple parties can be held liable for the accident depending on the specific causes.

For instance, the big rig truck might have rammed into your car due to driver fatigue or break failure. In each of these cases, a different party is responsible. It could be the truck company, vehicle owner, or truck manufacturer. It’s also possible that the truck driver failed to see you due to distracted driving or DUI.

Experienced attorneys will identify all parties liable and consider filing different liability claims to ensure you get maximum compensation.

They’ll also calculate the settlement amount various parties owe you based on every possible factor for determining truck accident lawsuit damages. These may include:

Current and future medical bills
Lost wages – calculating lost wages considers loss of current employment and earning capacity in the future.
The extent of physical injuries, mental anguish, pain, and suffering. For serious injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury or disability, the future cost of continuous medical care and rehabilitation is included.
Loss of consortium
Property damage
Punitive damages

At the end of this step, the lawyer has a good foundation for your truck accident lawsuit. You’ll also get a rough idea of how much the parties liable for the semi-truck accident owe you. It’s important to note that claim assessment happens during the initial free consultation with your lawyer.

Step 2: Investigation

Once you’ve established an attorney-client relationship with your personal injury lawyer, the next step is investigation. Here, lawyers work to preserve any evidence that might help win truck accident settlements.

They’ll send letters to multiple defendants to legally demand that they preserve all evidence of your case. These might include photographs, the vehicles involved in the semi-truck accident, the truck driver’s records of operation, and other vital data. Your role in step 2 becomes passive. You don’t have to do anything except follow your lawyer’s directives when called upon.

Step 3: File And Complaint

After the investigation phase, your lawyer will formally file a truck accident lawsuit against all parties deemed negligent in the semi-truck accident. Your role here is also passive, like in step 2 above.

Step 4: Case Discovery

Case discovery is the case-building phase. Lawyers actively gather evidence from several parties to prove a duty of care and its violation.

They’ll talk to witnesses and obtain analyses from experts, including semi-trailer truck accident reconstructionists and medical personnel, to ensure your accident lawsuit succeeds. Like in steps two and three, your role during case discovery remains passive.

Step 5: Begin Mediation

The mediation process begins once attorneys gather enough evidence for truck accident claims. During this phase, both parties (truck accident victims and defendants), accompanied by their lawyers, meet to see if they can reach a fair settlement. You’ll have to attend the mediation and work closely with your lawyer throughout the meeting.

Step 6: Go To Trial

If you don’t reach a settlement during step 5, the accident lawsuit will proceed to trial, where a judge or jury will hear and determine the case. You might be called upon to testify during the trial, but don’t worry! Your lawyer will prepare you adequately for this.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, accidents involving commercial motor vehicles are common, and they can be fatal. The latest research shows about 4,998 accidents involving large trucks and buses happened in 2020, leading to nearly 108,000 injury crashes.

Knowing how to handle semi-truck accident lawsuits is vital to getting fair compensation for yourself or loved ones in case of an accident. We hope this article helps you with this.

You can also check out our blog to learn more about dealing with semi-truck accidents, including how to find an experienced commercial truck accident attorney.

All About Self-driving Semi-trucks

2027 is the year that some experts believe self-driving semi-trucks will get on the highways, although a few road tests are already underway. This will shake up the trucking industry!

It may affect you, whether you’re a seasoned truck driver or new to trucking. What are self-driving trucks? Are they a good idea? Will they replace human truck drivers?

In this post, we discuss everything you should know about self-driving semi-trucks to help you plan and avoid any disruption to your livelihood.

What Are Self-driving Semi-trucks?

Self-driving or automated semi-trucks are eighteen-wheelers capable of traveling independently, i.e., without input from human drivers. They can go anywhere traditional trucks go and do almost everything human drivers do.

These trucks depend on self-driving technology, including sensors, actuators, machine learning systems, and powerful processors to navigate. They create and keep a clear map of their environment using several sensors and cameras strategically placed in various parts of the vehicle.

Some of these include:

Radar sensors scan the positions of any vehicles nearby.
Light detection and ranging (Lidar) sensors identify lane markings, detect road edges, and measure distances.
Video cameras look for pedestrians, track other vehicles, read road signs, and detect traffic lights.
Ultrasonic sensors in the truck’s wheels detect other vehicles when parking.

Once the sensors receive relevant input, they send it to sophisticated software for processing. The software then plots a path and instructs the car’s actuators to control steering, acceleration, and braking.

Predictive modeling, hard-coded rules, obstacle recognition, and avoidance algorithms help the software navigate obstacles and obey all traffic rules.

At the moment, very few semi-trucks, which are still in their testing phase, can operate entirely on their own. Most require human drivers to act as safety drivers and take control if anything goes wrong. But this is changing fast as autonomous technology continues to improve.

Key car manufacturers in the autonomous trucking industry are also channeling more resources to perfect self-driving technology and eliminate the need for drivers. So far, there are a few types (about 6) of self-driving trucks, each with a different driving automation capacity.

Types of Self-driving Trucks

Driverless trucks are categorized according to their levels of automation or how much human input the vehicles require to operate on public roads. The less human involvement the autonomous vehicle needs to operate, the higher the automation and the category.

Some common levels of autonomous driving include the below.

Level 0: No Automation

Such a vehicle requires manual driving. A human driver must be behind the wheel to perform most driving tasks like steering and acceleration. There could be a few automated truck features, such as automatic emergency braking, blind spot, and lane departure warning. But they are limited to offering warnings and momentary assistance.

Also, the driver has to supervise these features constantly to maintain safety. Most trucks currently fall under this category.

Level 1: Driver Assistance

Level 1 semi-trucks have the most basic form of automation. They come with at least one automated driving system to support the driver’s efforts. It could be a brake or /acceleration driver support system, lane centering, or adaptive cruise speed monitoring control. But not all three.

Level 2: Partial Automation

For level 2 trucks, there is an advanced driving assist system (ADAS) with lane centering and adaptive cruise control. The system provides steering and acceleration plus brake support to the driver. However, the driver still needs to remain alert and monitor all driving operations behind the wheel.

Level 3: Conditional Automation

Autonomous semi-trucks at level 3 have sophisticated self-driving features like environmental detection capabilities. The trucks can perform nearly all the driving tasks but under limited conditions. These conditions must all be met for the automated driving systems to work.

A human driver must also be present to take over upon request by the Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems or during an emergency.

Level 4: High Automation

Level 4 autonomous semi-trucks can perform all driving operations. This includes stopping in case of a system failure or emergency. They don’t require truck drivers.

These autonomous vehicles also don’t need pedals or a steering wheel. Their self-driving autonomous system can take the truck from one point to another following preprogrammed route set via geofencing.

Level 5: Full Automation

Full driving automation for level 5 autonomous trucks lets the vehicle travel to any place through all conditions. It doesn’t require any human interaction or geofencing. Such a system only needs the final destination details, and it takes care of all driving tasks.

Are Driverless Trucks A Good Idea?

Like most opinions, the answer to whether self-driving trucks are a good idea depends on an individual’s perspective. Some people believe autonomous trucks are a good idea for the same reasons others think they are not.

For example, big players in self-driving truck companies and fleet managers support autonomous trucks because they’ll revolutionize the trucking industry by eliminating driver shortages. At the same time, most truck drivers see automated trucks as a threat because they might lose their jobs.

We’ve outlined some of the advantages and disadvantages of self-driving trucks below. So you can weigh and judge for yourself whether they’re a good idea or not.

Advantages Of Autonomous Trucks

Improved Efficiency

With advanced technology comes increased efficiency, and autonomous trucking technology is no exception.

A self-driving semi maximizes performance in terms of the time taken to deliver freight and fuel efficiency. It can choose the most effective route to deliver freight in the shortest time possible. Also, shorter transportation time may push companies to expand their operations. More distribution centers with an increased variety of products can emerge because of this.

Increased Safety

Autonomous trucks will enhance road safety by eliminating human error – one of the most common causes of truck accidents. All the high-tech sensors and software we mentioned earlier work jointly to promote excellent driving and minimize the chances of road accidents.

Minimum to No Breaks

Unlike a human driver, a self-driving truck can operate round-the-clock, including off-peak hours, without any breaks. This means that it can transport more loads faster than human truck drivers and whenever the need arises.

Fleet managers also don’t have to stress about drivers complying with the strict logging requirements by the Department of Transportation.

Reduced Operating Costs

As a result of all the benefits above, automated trucks lower operating costs. Specifically, faster freight delivery and fuel efficiency reduce fuel expenses. While increased safety translates to substantial savings in insurance claims, settlements, and accident repairs. Having no drivers also lowers labor costs for trucking companies.

Disadvantages Of Autonomous Trucks

System Failures

Picture a fully loaded automated vehicle, say a semi-truck at about 80,000 pounds. It’s taking instructions from its high-tech system, cruising the highways. Then, the system fails. What would happen?

Critics of autonomous trucking argue that accidents ensuing from driverless trucks are more damaging than those with truck drivers for one main reason: They lack the human connection and live-saving instincts humans have.

In this scenario, if a human driver were behind the wheel, they could make eye contact with other drivers, send subtle cues, and make split-second judgment calls to prevent the accident or minimize its impact. A self-driving truck cannot do the same.

Security Threats

Self-driving technology is susceptible to cyber criminals, including hackers. Malicious attacks can bring trucking operations to a halt, affecting the entire supply chain and leading to losses.

Weather Conditions

Unpredictable weather poses a significant challenge to most self-driving vehicles. Can the sensors still identify lane markings if they’re obscured by snow?

Automotive engineers are working hard to ensure autonomous cars can operate under all weather conditions. But the uncertainty of weather and other natural phenomenon may pose new challenges with time.

Government Regulation and Legal Liability

What happens when one autonomous semi-truck collides with another? Who will be accountable or liable for the accident? What if the truck collided with a non-self-driving vehicle?

The regulatory process for self-driving cars shifted from federal control to state-by-state mandate. However, most states are yet to polish their autonomous vehicle laws to clarify such matters. Things are likely to change over time, but until then, government regulation on the operation of autonomous trucks remains a challenge.

Overreliance On Big Tech

Automated trucks will require periodic software updates to operate optimally. Because of this, big tech companies currently working to make driving automation a reality, like Torc Robotics, might take control of the transportation industry. If this happens, fleet managers may lose control of their fleet management costs.

Will Self-driving Semi-trucks Replace Human Drivers?

The truth is that trucking jobs, as we know them, will change significantly. And yes, a good number of truck drivers will lose their jobs. But self-driving semi-trucks will only displace as opposed to completely replacing human drivers.

Research estimates that automated trucks may displace more than 2 million truck drivers in the United States and Europe. The demand for new drivers will also reduce by about 70% as most current professional trucking jobs will become redundant.

New opportunities are likely to emerge. Following the trends from the ongoing driverless testing pilot programs, truck drivers may be required to take on a supervisory role. That is, supervising the truck and cargo and ensuring everything goes smoothly. They may also need to conduct emergency repairs from time to time.

Also, short-distance truck drivers will keep their jobs longer to help the trucks navigate congested urban areas. However, if you work long-haul routes, you will have to adjust since the trucks are made to automate highway driving. You can switch to short-distance trucking to continue driving. This can mean reduced working hours which will translate into a pay cut.

Alternatively, you can acquire more maintenance and supervisory skills. Or take new training and explore new roles like being an automated truck technician.

The good news is we still have a few years before driverless trucks become the norm on our highways. So, you’ll have enough time to adjust and prepare for the change.

How Soon Will Large-Scale Use Of Driverless Trucks Become A Reality?

As noted before, we might start seeing a good number of self-driving trucks on our highways as soon as 2027. But the full transition into autonomous trucking will occur gradually throughout the next decade.

The automated trucks will be made available for use in four distinct phases, using a fleet of self-driving trucks connected through wireless technology:

Phase one: A fleet of semi-trucks follows a lead truck closely on the highway. Each truck will have a human driver to take control of the wheel on some, mostly smaller, roads and allow the AI program to take over driving on freeways. This technique is commonly referred to as platooning.
Phase two: In this phase, only the lead truck will have a human driver, as a convoy of automated trucks follows closely behind. It may become a reality by 2025.
Phase three: For the third phase, the lead truck will be completely self-driving on the highway. Meaning the entire convoy will be autonomous. However, a human driver might have to be present in the lead truck to help navigate loading docks and small roads.
Phase four: The final phase will see 100% automated trucks on the highways at scale. There will be no human driver in any of the trucks. This may become a reality by early 2030.

What’s Next?

If you’re a truck driver, you may be required to adapt and take on a more passive but crucial role similar to pilots in the aviation industry.

New opportunities you can take advantage of will also emerge as automation continues to infiltrate the trucking industry.

Chances are, with time, other tasks like loading and unloading will get automated too. Overall, the transportation industry is staring at a completely digitized 24/7 supply chain, and hopefully, you are ready to make it work for you!

To stay updated with the latest news on self-driving AI and autonomous trucking, read our blog!