Truck accidents can be tragic, causing lifelong injuries and financial issues for the victims. If you or someone you are with is involved in an accident between a truck and your car, get to know your rights as a driver, passenger, and pedestrian post truck accident. A lawyer helps to ensure you get compensated fairly & placed justice at your side.
Here’s Why You Need an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney?
Cases involving truck accidents can be different from run-of-the-mill car accidents simply because they become complicated with the increase in laws surrounding commercial vehicles. The differences between the two systems serve to illustrate why specific legal help is so important.
Gaining Insight into the Complexity of Truck Accident Cases
For example, truck accidents are governed by federal regulations, including those prescribed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The rules establish standards like truck maintenance, driver working hours, etc. Accidents often involve violations of these regulations, so you need an attorney who understands how to navigate the complex legal environment of the trucking industry.
Third-Party Liability for Truck Accidents
Unlike normal motor vehicle accident cases for which liability is sometimes simple to assign, truck accident liability might appropriately be assigned to any number of parties, including:
The truck driver
The trucking company
Manufacturers of vehicles or components
Maintenance providers
Cargo loaders
All of these parties may be partially liable. A skilled attorney will be able to identify potential defendants, which will increase the chances of getting adequate compensation.
Things To Do After Getting In A Truck Accident
The initial steps you take right after a truck accident can make a huge difference to the success of your claim. Being aware of what to do makes sure you are well equipped when seeking legal assistance.
Step 1: Address Safety And Get Checked Over
Check Safety and Medical Help As Soon As Possible And some injuries do not have any symptoms until later. It is an important piece of evidence that you will be able to present when you want to sue.
Step 2: Document the Scene
Gathering evidence at the scene is important. Photograph and make video footage of the accident and try and get contact details of any witnesses. This information can substantiate your case and give a clearer understanding of the accident and the cause behind it.
Step 3: Do Not Talk About Whose Blame
Do not talk about blame — no comments that could be construed as such. Rather, simply exchange insurance and contact information with other drivers involved and leave the communication part to your attorney.
Why You Should Seek Legal Help to Protect Your Rights
There are a lot of benefits to hiring a truck accident attorney. Your lawyer will protect your rights, from negotiating legal matters, to maneuvering through intricate legal matters.
Searching for the Source of the Accident
That’s when an experienced attorney will look into the causes of the accident. To find out if there was an FMCSA violation, they may consult accident reconstruction experts, looks at the truck maintenance log book, and driver log book.
Insurance Company Negotiation
Insurance companies often try to pay you as little as possible—or deny your claim altogether. An experienced truck accident attorney knows how to negotiate with insurance companies to get you paid fairly. They know the tactics insurers will use, and they will respond to those tactics an with an arsenal of evidence and legal arguments.
NHTSA Try to Ignore These Trucking Accident Statistics — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) maintains statistics and safety standards that help accident attorneys gauge accident severity and identifying systemic safety issues.
Different Kinds of Compensation Available for Truck accident Claims
Truck accidents are catastrophic and lead to huge losses, both monetary and emotional. An experienced attorney will seek damages for:
Economic Damages
These incorporate direct economic damages equivalent to healthcare bills, decrease wages, and property damage. Economic damages in the most severe cases can include compensation for future medical care and lost earning capacity if your injury prohibits you from attendance at work.
Non-Economic Damages
Examples of non-economic damages include pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of companionship. As non-economic damages are subjective, they are difficult to calculate. But a skilled attorney will use the common methods of the industry to provide you with fair compensation.
Punitive Damages
For instance, if a trucking company grossly neglects safety standards, the court may impose punitive damages. Such damages are meant to punish the at-fault party and deter future negligence.
The Importance of Hiring the Right Truck Accident Attorney
Truck accident cases present a variety of unique challenges, and not all attorneys are prepared to take them on. The success of your case heavily relies on the selection of the right lawyer.
What to Look For When Choosing a Truck Accident Attorney
Here are the qualities you should look for in a truck accident attorney
Experience: Find truck accident lawyers who have handled cases like yours successfully.
Familiarity with Regulations: They should learn about FMCSA regulations and state laws that control commercial trucks.
Well-Connected Team: A good attorney often will have accident reconstruction specialists, medical aids and other professionals to provide support to build your case.
Negotiation Skills: Select a person who has skills and confidence to negotiate with the insurance companies and, if needed, take your case to the court.
Authority Link: Read More about finding the right legal counsel on the American Bar Association site
The Role of Contingency Fees
Truck accident attorneys are typically contingency fee-based, so you only pay if they win your case. Essentially, this ensures that your attorney is inclined to get you the highest dollar value return they can.
The Bottom Line: Getting Justice and Protecting the Future.
After a truck accident, you may suffer severe consequences, but it helps to know that you do not have to navigate the aftermath alone. An experienced truck accident lawyer is someone who fights on your behalf, stands up for your rights, takes action against the people responsible, and obtains the compensation that you are entitled to receive. The more time you take the less possibility you have of succeeding, so remember this is a time limited process!
