If you or a loved one recently suffered injuries in a truck accident, you might wonder how to pick up the pieces and move forward. While monetary compensation can’t reverse the damages that have occurred, it can certainly cover your bills and expenses and alleviate some of the stress you are facing.
Obtaining full and fair compensation for your injuries is crucial, and the best way to achieve this is by hiring an experienced truck accident attorney. With their experience and guidance, you can maximize your truck accident settlement. Here’s what an attorney can do for your truck accident case.
Understanding Your Claim’s Value
Chances are, you haven’t encountered many truck accidents in your lifetime and are unlikely to fully grasp the actual value of your damages. Insurance companies often take advantage of injury claimants who lack legal representation, as they can persuade them to settle for much less than their claim is worth. Injured victims are often content with any settlement, particularly if they receive the offer early.
Without consulting an attorney to discuss the specifics of their accident and injuries, they may accept a low settlement, ultimately leaving substantial funds on the table that could have aided their recovery.
However, experienced truck accident attorneys deeply understand the actual value of your claim and believe that you deserve significantly more than the minimum truck settlement. They are well-versed in similar cases within your region and have insights into the settlement or court award amounts these cases have received.
By working with an attorney, you can gain clarity on your claim’s value and rest assured they fight tirelessly for you to obtain what you rightfully deserve. Consult a truck accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident to begin this process.
Protection from the Insurance Company
Truck accident attorneys can play a vital role in maximizing your truck accident settlement by safeguarding you from the insurance company’s tactics aimed at devaluing or denying your claim.
Insurance companies frequently employ various strategies, such as:
- Requesting a recorded statement and potentially manipulating your words or posing leading questions about the accident or your injuries
- Appearing empathetic and acting like your friend, and attempting to establish a sense of genuine concern
- Assuring you that they will take care of you and tell you that hiring a truck accident attorney is unnecessary
- Requesting that you provide copies of your pre-accident medical records in an effort to attribute your accident-related damages to prior injuries
- Scrutinizing your social media accounts for evidence they can use against you
Once you hire a truck accident lawyer, you must no longer engage with the insurance company. Your attorney will handle all communications for you. If you must interact with them, such as during a deposition, your attorney will protect your rights and guide you through the process.
Thorough Accident Investigation
An experienced truck attorney knows the importance of conducting a comprehensive investigation into your accident. This step is crucial because it allows you to pursue a claim against the appropriate party or parties responsible for the accident, maximizing your chances of receiving maximum compensation.
Filing a claim against the wrong party, someone not liable for your damages, will only hinder your chances of obtaining compensation. Moreover, truck accidents often involve multiple parties who may share responsibility for your injuries. You can potentially increase your overall compensation by pursuing a claim against all liable parties.
For example, in a truck accident, you can hold the following parties responsible for your injuries:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The manufacturer of the truck or its parts
- The company responsible for loading the cargo
- Other drivers involved in the accident
- Government agencies responsible for road maintenance and safety
- Government contractors
By thoroughly investigating the accident, your truck accident attorney can identify all potentially liable parties and build a strong case on your behalf.
Accounting for All Damages
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports a troubling increase in deaths related to motor vehicle accidents involving large trucks. These fatalities rose by 13 percent in one year, while overall traffic fatalities increased by 10.5 percent.
Unfortunately, along with the loss of life, countless individuals have also sustained injuries in these accidents, burdening them with financial, physical, and emotional hardships.
A skilled truck accident lawyer will also have a thorough understanding of the various damages you may receive due to the accident. By including all relevant damages in your claim, you maximize the amount of compensation you may receive. Truck accident victims can claim economic (special) and non-economic (general) damages.
These may include:
- Medical expenses, including ambulance fees, emergency room visits, hospital bills, diagnostic tests such as x-rays or lab work, doctor consultations, prescriptions, and surgeries
- Costs for necessary medical equipment, such as home oxygen, wheelchairs, or crutches
- Expenses related to home modifications required for your recovery
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Lost income due to the inability to work during your recovery
- Property damage, including repairs or replacement of your vehicle
- Pain and suffering you endured as a result of the accident
- Scarring or disfigurement caused by the injuries
- Mental anguish resulting from the traumatic experience
- Loss of enjoyment of life due to the physical limitations or pain caused by the injuries
- Loss of consortium, which refers to the impact the injuries have on your relationship with your spouse or family members
Your attorney will account for all of these damages when negotiating your settlement. You will find no average settlement amount for big rig accidents or an average payout specifically for 18-wheeler accidents. Each case is unique, with its own set of circumstances and factors that can influence the claim’s value. However, your attorney can provide you with an estimate of the potential value of your case during your initial consultation and as your case progresses.
Meeting Crucial Case Deadlines
One crucial aspect of a truck accident claim is that many victims overlook the importance of meeting the filing deadline for their legal claims. Each state sets this statute of limitations, and it typically ranges from one to five years. Failing to file a legal claim within this timeframe significantly reduces your chances of receiving compensation for your injuries through the legal system.
To safeguard your rights and maximize your chances of a successful claim, engage the services of an attorney well-versed in your state’s specific statute of limitations. This will ensure that your claim gets filed within the designated time limit. Reaching out to an attorney as soon as possible enables them to initiate the necessary legal proceedings without risking missing the filing deadline.
By enlisting the assistance of a skilled attorney early on, you can avoid the devastating consequences of missing the filing deadline. These professionals will meticulously review your case, gather evidence, and build a strong legal strategy to support your claim. They also will handle all the necessary paperwork and procedural requirements to ensure your claim is filed accurately and on time.
Remember, the statute of limitations is a strict legal requirement. Failing to comply with this deadline can result in the court dismissing your claim, leaving you without any recourse for seeking compensation. Therefore, consult an experienced attorney immediately following a truck accident to ensure you meet all necessary filing requirements and protect your legal rights.
Truck Accidents are Complex
Truck accidents present unique challenges compared to typical car accidents, making them complex to navigate and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.
After a truck accident, seek legal representation to protect your rights and maximize your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve. All the following factors make having a truck accident lawyer by your side essential during the claims and potential litigation process.
Larger Policies
Insurance coverage for semi-trucks is significantly higher than that for regular passenger vehicles, sometimes up to 40 times more. Even still, insurance companies often resist paying for damages and will fight to minimize their liability. Obtaining fair compensation becomes an uphill battle without professional representation.
Severe Injuries
Truck accidents often result in more severe injuries due to the massive size and weight disparity between trucks and smaller vehicles. The force of the impact can lead to significant physical harm.
The severity of injuries complicates the claims process. It necessitates skilled handling, as some victims will need medical or personal care for long into the future or even the rest of their lives.
Extensive Damages
With severe injuries come more significant medical expenses, ongoing care needs, and extensive property damage. It’s crucial to account for all these damages when seeking compensation; a skilled attorney can assist in evaluating and documenting them effectively.
Multiple Vehicle Involvement
Truck accidents frequently involve multiple vehicles, as trucks’ size and stopping distance make it challenging to avoid colliding with other vehicles when they must stop quickly.
Determining fault becomes complex with numerous insurance companies and parties involved. In fact, litigation may be necessary to resolve these issues.
Ownership and Liability
Unlike most passenger vehicle accidents, truck accidents involve various ownership scenarios. Truck drivers can be owner-operators or employees of a trucking company, and trucks may carry loads owned by third parties.
Determining liability can require a time-consuming, thorough investigation. Unfortunately, most truck accident victims don’t know the first place to start to untangle such a mess.
Trucking Industry Regulations
Truck drivers must adhere to numerous regulations, such as restrictions on driving hours, to prevent fatigue-related accidents. Violations of these regulations may contribute to a fault in an accident.
You need a lawyer well-versed in the intricate web of trucking laws and regulations. A violation of these industry regulations can establish negligence in your claim. Still, you must let an attorney take on this complex task for you.
Truck Data
Some semi-trucks usually have data recorders that capture valuable information, including speed at different times. While this data can aid accident reconstruction, it sometimes conflicts with other evidence, complicating matters further. Your attorney will know how to evaluate all evidence to help determine how the accident occurred and who you can hold accountable.
How Long Does it Take to Settle a Truck Accident Claim?
Settlement negotiations can range from a few weeks in straightforward cases where fault and liability are evident to several months or longer in more complex truck accident claims.
While waiting for your settlement can be challenging, remaining patient and trusting that your attorney is diligently working on your behalf is crucial. Their experience and negotiation skills will significantly improve your case’s outcome. Remember that settling a truck accident claim gives you more control over the outcome of the case and usually results in a quicker resolution to your case.
Do You Have Serious Injuries from a Truck Crash? Hire a Seasoned Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Navigating the complexities of truck accident cases requires the knowledge and experience of a truck accident lawyer. They possess the resources to gather evidence, interpret relevant laws, and determine liability.
Attempting to handle these challenges without professional legal assistance often results in inadequate compensation for your damages.
Hiring a seasoned personal injury attorney is essential to ensure that your claim reaches its full potential, allowing you to recover physically, financially, and emotionally from the aftermath of an accident.
By partnering with an attorney, you gain access to their knowledge, resources, and advocacy, increasing your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve. Reach out to one today to discuss your questions and concerns and get your truck accident claim started.
Your free consultation provides the opportunity for you to ask questions and get answers, learn about your rights, and help you decide which truck accident law firm is the right one for you.
