Truck accidents can have catastrophic consequences, including severe injuries and extensive property damage. Unfortunately, the more significant the damages are, the more issues may arise in your truck accident case.
The legal hurdles of filing a claim following a truck incident can be stressful. This becomes more challenging if you are fighting against large truck companies with robust legal teams.
In such circumstances, lawyers play a critical role in addressing the numerous legal issues that may develop. This article examines the critical role of attorneys in supporting individuals in pursuing justice and recovering damages in the aftermath of truck accidents.
Challenges of a Truck Accident Claim
Being in a truck accident may cause severe injuries that may lead to long-term or permanent disabilities or even wrongful death. If you suffer severe injuries from a truck crash, your healing process likely hinders you from successfully handling your case. You may also experience issues such as:
Insurance Company Takes Advantage of Your Injured State
If you sustained serious injuries from the truck collision, you likely don’t have enough energy and strength to fight for fair restitution. In most cases, the insurance provider will offer a lowball settlement to compensate for the damages from the crash.
This may seem tempting, especially if you have a handful of existing medical bills and vehicle damage repair or replacement costs. However, you must know that the initial offer hardly covers all the expenses you must take care of. In fact, you may claim compensation for other types of damages, such as:
- Future medical treatment and rehabilitation,
- Lost wages,
- Future loss of income,
- Medical equipment or aid if you have a permanent disability,
- Emotional distress,
- Pain and suffering,
- Loss of enjoyment of life,
- Loss of companionship, and others.
You may only collect these damages if you take some time to investigate your truck accident case. Aside from this, you will also have to know how you will compute these non-monetary losses. A truck accident lawyer has the knowledge and experience to factor in these additional damages and calculate a fair compensation amount.
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Large Truck Companies Can Hire A Legal Team
If the truck crash resulted in a complicated accident, large truck companies usually have the resources to hire a legal team that can defend their side. Unfortunately, victims tend to be intimidated and eventually decide to give in to a low-ball settlement offer. You will likely experience the same scenario if you handle your claim independently.
If you hire a truck crash attorney who understands your situation and eagerly fights for your rights, you have greater chances of successfully winning your claim.
You Have Limited Evidence To Support Your Case
Your injuries from the collision may prevent you from gathering the necessary evidence at the accident scene, which should have helped you prove your truck accident claim.
Aside from this, most truck collisions result in multi-vehicle crashes due to the truck’s significant weight and size. If there are multiple parties involved, there is a possibility that it will be challenging to establish who is responsible for the crash.
In a truck accident claim, you should have solid evidence to prove your case, such as contact information of the parties involved, the truck company’s information, photos of the accident scene, witness testimonies, CCTV or surveillance footage of the nearby premises, and a police accident report.
If you have a truck accident lawyer, they will examine the facts of your collision. They can also hire investigators who can gather evidence to support your claim.
How Can a Truck Crash Attorney Help Me?
A truck collision is a serious accident that can change your life drastically. In dealing with such cases, you might need a legal expert to help you build your claim. A truck crash attorney should:
- Communicate legal options and processes to you,
- Help gather pieces of evidence,
- Prove who is the liable party,
- Calculate the total damages,
- Negotiate a fair settlement,
- Keep up with deadlines, and
- Fight for your rights.
A truck crash attorney can accomplish these to win your case successfully. If your lawyer fails to perform their duty, seek another attorney to defend your rights.
Characteristics of the Best Truck Accident Attorney
Several truck crash attorneys can offer their services to you. However, hiring the best lawyer to adjust your needs and defend your case is essential. Check out the list below to ensure that you are hiring the right legal expert.
A Good Truck Crash Attorney Is Experienced with a Proven Track Record
An excellent personal injury lawyer has experience handling and winning truck accident cases. Truck accident claims are not easy to deal with; you must fight against truck companies that often hire a legal team for their defense. That is why having a legal expert who can manage your truck accident case smoothly is crucial.
In addition, your truck crash attorney should also have a solid winning record. By checking their case history, you will know if they can successfully deal with and defend your case. You may assess their background and history by checking the following:
- Online websites of law firms and their attorneys,
- Testimonials from previous clients or
- Public records and other information.
A Good Truck Crash Attorney Has Effective Communication Skills
The status of your truck accident claim heavily depends on your lawyer’s communication skills. They should be able to negotiate with insurance companies and other parties effectively. This will help you receive the maximum restitution from the truck accident.
Aside from this, they should also be able to communicate the legal process to you. You and your legal expert should have open communication and a good working relationship to manage the case efficiently. You will be able to tell if your attorney is a good communicator when:
- They set expectations from the beginning of the case,
- They explain the legal process simply and understandably,
- They listen to your concerns, and address them promptly, and
- They know the most effective channel of communication to use in different circumstances.
A Good Truck Crash Attorney Is Emphatic and Professional
When you are involved in a truck crash, you are often left with severe injuries and damage expenses that you have to deal with. Your lawyer should be able to empathize with you and your situation. However, they should also translate empathy into action. If your truck accident lawyer fully understands your situation, they can examine all possible avenues to help you win your case.
What to Do in a Truck Accident
If you are in a truck collision, following the tips below is recommended to ensure your safety and settle your incident correctly.
- Check if you have injuries.
- Seek medical attention and call 911 immediately.
- Exchange information with the truck driver if possible.
- If you can, gather possible evidence to support your claim.
- File an accident report.
- Reach out to a lawyer.
You should hire a truck crash attorney to gauge the condition of your claim and calculate the total compensation from the accident.
Protect Yourself in a Truck Accident
Hiring a lawyer for a truck accident is often a crucial step in navigating the legal complexities and challenges associated with such cases to protect your legal rights.
For instance, a truck driver in Long Beach hits you while crossing the road. Unfortunately, you suffered permanent back injuries from the crash. Since your injuries were so severe, you weren’t able to gather evidence at the scene. In such a case, attorneys from Long Beach law firms can collect evidence and justify the truck driver’s liability to justify your case.
Attorneys with experience are a great asset as they help victims establish compelling claims, bargain with insurance companies, and fight for just compensation. Suppose you are injured in a truck accident. In that case, you are more likely to get the compensation and justice you deserve by putting your case in the hands of experienced attorneys.
