If you’re injured in a truck accident, you can seek compensation from negligent truckers, trucking companies, and their insurers. These entities will try to use their lawyers to prevent you from collecting any losses. Having an experienced truck accident attorney at your side can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
The first step after any type of traffic accident is to call the police. Next, you’ll want to get medical attention right away. If you’re in a condition to do so, collect the names and contact information for the truck driver and trucking company. Try to gather contact information for any witnesses as well. Then, contact an experienced lawyer.
A skillful truck accident attorney can help you report the accident to the insurance company, prevent you from saying anything detrimental to your claim, and protect your rights by dealing with the trucking company on your behalf while you focus on getting better. What you say to other parties, witnesses, and law enforcement after your accident can affect your claim. So be sure to only speak about what’s necessary and save the rest for your attorney.
After a truck accident, insurance companies gather information from those involved. They use this information to determine who is at fault and how much the other party should be compensated.
Typically, once this process is complete, they’ll send you a letter offering you the amount of compensation they deem appropriate. If you sign that offer letter, you lose your right to file a lawsuit about the accident.
If the amount the insurance company offers seems low, you may be entitled to more. Consulting with a truck accident lawyer before you sign can help you make sure that you give your injuries enough time to make a full recovery. A truck accident lawyer won’t settle your claim until you fully understand the extent of your injuries.
You have the right to seek compensation from any party when their negligence causes you an injury. However, to successfully prove your claim, you must demonstrate that this party had a duty of care and put other people in danger when they breached that duty of care.
Sometimes trucking companies are held responsible because they did not provide proper training for the truck driver, allowing him or her to work longer shifts than those allowed by federal and state law. Other times, they may fail to conduct a background check that would have revealed a history of unsafe driving or recent substance abuse.
Trucking companies are not the only culprits. Truck manufacturers could be liable if a part of the truck malfunctions because of product liability. Loading companies may also be liable for overloading or improperly and unevenly loading trucks.
Your local city government can even be liable if there were dangerous but preventable conditions on the road. Local governments and business owners may be deemed liable if an injury accident occurs on their property because of unsafe or defective conditions. This is referred to as premises liability.
Many injured truck accident victims can successfully file lawsuits against more than one defendant for the same accident. If you need help pinpointing who is liable for your accident injuries, speak with a truck accident lawyer in your community today.
Truck accident victims need to remember that their losses regarding the trucking accident are much bigger than just the medical expenses. When you file a truck accident lawsuit, you may be entitled to damages for the income you lost, and if you still cannot work by the time your case settles or goes to trial, you might be able to get compensation for future lost income also.
If the accident left you permanently disabled and unable to do your job, the economic damages you collect could help you train for a new career and support your family as best as you can.
Plaintiffs in personal injury lawsuits could also seek non-economic damages for their pain and suffering, emotional distress, or loss of companionship. The amount of non-economic damages you receive will largely depend on the economic damages you’re entitled to and the severity of your accident.
When truck accident lawyers demonstrate certain qualities, you can trust that they have the skills and experience to work for you. Keep the following qualifications in mind as you consider which truck accident lawyer is best suited to handle your claim:
The truck accident lawyer you choose to hire should have experience handling personal injury claims, specifically those involving commercial trucking companies. However, it is not necessary to choose a lawyer who exclusively handles truck accident injury claims.
Lawyers who have handled these types of cases will know the local laws and court procedures to ensure that your case complies with the local courthouse customs. Complying with the law is pivotal to winning your claim and recovering as much compensation as possible.
If there are no reviews, testimonials, or awards information available on your potential attorney, then that may be a red flag. You can learn a lot about any truck lawyer by having a look at the praise and criticism from their past clients. While on your search for the perfect accident attorney, review online testimonials or ask prospective truck accident lawyers for client referrals.
Many lawyers measure their success rate. The success rate is how many claims they win for clients, as well as how much compensation they help clients receive for their injuries. When you speak with a prospective truck accident lawyer, ask about their success rate and determine if they have the proven track record necessary to defend your claims.
Insurance companies typically offer quick and low settlement offers early on to settle your claim fast without paying you fairly. Be sure to choose a truck accident lawyer who is willing to fight for a fair settlement on your behalf. The last thing you want is a lawyer urging you to settle because they want to close the case quickly.
If you’re dealing with insurers who refuse to pay out what you deserve or the other party is making unreasonable demands, then your claim may not settle out of court. If your claim does not settle and you need to take it to court, the truck accident lawyer you choose must have the necessary experience in taking truck accident claims to trial.
Many lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning they will not get paid until you receive your settlement. Their charges will be a percentage of your compensation, and that’s why figuring out what your lawyer’s fees are and how these charges are incurred helps you avoid surprise costs.
Your truck accident lawyer needs to be an effective communicator, put your mind at ease, and be helpful, understanding, and supportive. If you don’t feel your injury attorney has the empathy to support your claim, there are other options available.
Winning a truck accident claim can be difficult. However, you can receive priceless information and advice by reaching out to a dedicated law firm.
When you are not at fault, your truck accident attorney will use their experience to help you receive the compensation you deserve. Find a personal injury law firm in your community with an excellent track record of building strong cases for their clients and providing investigations into truck accident claims. Contact a trucking accident attorney today for a free consultation.