Melbourne’s roads witness their fair share of truck-related mishaps. According to the Transport Accident Commission, in the last 5 years in Victoria, an average of 330 people every year have been hospitalised as a result of crashes with heavy vehicles. With the increased size of heavy vehicles, common issues that cause accidents like impaired vision or inadequate stopping distances can be even worse, making determining liability in accidents often more challenging. Navigating this added complexity, expert truck accident lawyers like those at Carbone Lawyers become indispensable. 

The Intricacies of Truck Collision Cases

Commercial and heavy vehicle cases are the same as many road & transport accidents in that the most important aspects are determining who’s at fault and the extent of injuries. When it comes to determining liability, truck collision cases have some key differences compared to regular car accidents. 

Truck drivers often have gruelling work schedules and deadlines that can lead to risky and negligent behaviour when driving. Common examples of negligence in truck accidents include:

• Driver fatigue
• Speeding
• Failure to adequately check blind spots
• Impaired or distracted driving
• Insufficient maintenance

Collecting evidence in these instances can be challenging for both sides, the best lawyers for truck accidents know what to look for and can walk you through this process. If you’ve been involved in an accident involving a heavy vehicle and believe you’re entitled to compensation, Carbone Lawyers are here to help. 

Steps Following a Truck Accident

In the chaos post-accident, priorities can blur. First, ensuring the health and immediate safety of yourself and the other parties involved is paramount. The next step is collecting evidence including swapping information with other drivers and witnesses and documenting all damages with photos. After doing this, if there are damages to property and/or people, you must speak to the police as soon as possible before visiting your doctor and explaining what happened in as much detail as possible, including any injuries or symptoms you are or have experienced since the accident.

Obtaining compensation from here involves lodging a claim with the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and in instances of negligence, you may also be able to make a common law claim. We recommend contacting the expert legal team at Carbone Lawyers for an obligation-free claim assessment, from gathering witness accounts to reviewing truck tachographs or maintenance records our team can help you get the compensation you deserve.

What Can I Claim?

Regardless of who’s at fault, any driver, passenger, or pedestrian injured in an accident involving a heavy vehicle can generally claim compensation for injuries both physical and psychological. Typical examples of things TAC claims cover include:

• Doctor, hospital and ambulance fees and pharmaceuticals
• Rehabilitation and disability services
• Help to return to work or re-training
• Home and vehicle modifications if you have been permanently disabled
• Home help services like child care, cleaning, gardening and school tutoring
• Psychology and family counselling
• The cost of travel to and from medical appointments
• Travelling and accommodation expenses for a spouse / dependent children in certain circumstances
• Funeral expenses
• If your injury is severe and permanent, you may be entitled to injury compensation for pain and suffering and permanent impairment.
• Income benefits if you’re unable to work as much or at all due to your injuries.

Choosing the Right Accident Lawyers

Whether you have been involved in an accident with a truck driver or drive a heavy vehicle yourself and are looking for lawyers for truck drivers, Carbone Lawyers are here to help you get the compensation you deserve. With most personal injury claims, our No Win, No Fee policy means you’ll have zero upfront fees. If you need legal advice or are unsatisfied and frustrated with your current lawyers, our team is ready to help. Call 1800 369 888 or start your free claim assessment online to get help today.