Severe injuries, property loss, damages, and even fatalities are some possible consequences of a truck accident. When such incidents happen, it may be crucial to seek the counsel of professionals with expertise and experience in truck accident law. With their guidance and assistance, it is much easier to navigate the whole legal process and eventually get the fair compensation you or your loved ones are entitled to.
This material is created to inform you of the specifics of truck accidents as legal cases, the peculiarities of a truck accident lawyer’s job, situations where it’s advisable to seek professional legal assistance after the truck accident, the criteria for choosing a competent specialist as well as the specifics of severe accidents that involve fatalities.
Who is a truck accident lawyer
A Truck Accident Lawyer is a legal professional who has knowledge and experience in dealing with accidents involving commercial trucks, such as tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, big rigs, and other large vehicles. Protecting the client’s interests in a truck accident case is usually more complicated and challenging than working with car accident cases.
Some of the reasons for such complexity are:
- Multiple parties involved
- Severe injuries and fatalities are common
- Highly regulated trucking industry
- Problematic evidence collection
- High insurance policies
Therefore, it may be critical to seek help from experienced attorneys knowledgeable about the rules and legislation applicable to the trucking business. Truck accident attorneys should also be familiar with various federal and state statutes relevant to the trucking industry, such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations that define rules and requirements for driver training, vehicle upkeep, operating hours, and safety standards for commercial vehicles.
What does a truck accident lawyer do
A truck accident lawyer can assist clients in all the legal procedures related to truck accidents. Here are some of the standard legal services that the truck accident attorney might provide for their clients:
- Provide legal consultation and inform their clients of their rights, legal options, and potential outcomes.
- Assist their clients with filing a claim or a lawsuit.
- Investigate the accident, which might involve reviewing police reports and medical records and analyzing the data from the truck’s black box, video footage, witness testimony, etc. While crucial for determining the responsible party, all that evidence is usually not publicly accessible. Therefore, obtaining the required permissions to collect and make the evidence admissible is essential to a truck accident lawyer’s job.
- Determine liable parties. The possible liable parties include the truck driver, the trucking company, the owner of the cargo, the manufacturer of the truck or any of its parts, and others.
- Access and calculate the damages and losses. That might include property damages, lost wages, potential future income, and intangible losses.
- Negotiate with the insurance company on behalf of the client in order to reach a settlement that is fair and beneficial to the client.
- Represent the client in court if necessary.
That is only part of the list of possible legal assistance since every truck accident is unique in its circumstances and implications and requires an individual approach. A qualified professional helps the client determine the most logical course of action for their situation, likely to bring favorable outcomes.
When should you hire a truck accident lawyer
It may be crucial to consult a competent lawyer immediately after a truck accident. It is especially relevant for cases when a truck accident results in serious injuries or fatalities or if multiple parties are involved, and it’s hard to determine who should be held responsible for the accident. In that case, an additional investigation conducted by a professional might be needed. It’s highly recommended to address truck accident experts when you have been faced with the trucking company’s negligence, such as failure to maintain the truck properly, overloading the cargo, or violating federal regulations. For those experiencing insurance disputes or who have been denied coverage, working with a truck accident lawyer who can protect their rights and help them get the compensation they deserve is always a wise decision.
There are many other scenarios in which it is advisable to seek professional assistance. Therefore, initial consultation with the lawyer might be helpful regardless of the accident circumstances. Many truck accident lawyers offer an initial consultation for free.
How to choose the right truck accident lawyer
If you are looking for a truck accident attorney that can help you successfully manage your case, here are a few essential criteria to take into account:
- Experience: Seek the assistance of a lawyer with a lot of expertise in managing similar cases
- Reputation: Seek out a legal representative with a good reputation in the legal community and positive reviews from former clients
- Resources: Having access to a network of resources such as accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and investigators who can help build a strong case on your behalf is crucial for the truck accident attorney, who is supposed to collect evidence and identify the liable party.
- Communication: choose the professional who you trust, who is receptive to your needs, who keeps you informed timely, and who presents information in a clear, understandable way.
- Fee structure: hire a lawyer who has a transparent fee structure. Addressing a specialist who works on a contingency fee basis means reducing the upfront costs. Feel confident to discuss the fees and additional expenses with a lawyer in advance.
Severe injuries or fatalities
If a truck accident results in serious injuries or fatalities, seeking professional assistance is necessary. A competent truck accident lawyer can help determine liable parties, calculate damages, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent clients in court if necessary. The lawyer can also consult with medical and vocational experts to fully understand the scope of their client’s injuries and determine the long-term costs of their care and treatment.
Overall, dealing with truck accidents can be complex and challenging. Still, with the help of a knowledgeable and experienced truck accident lawyer, you can achieve a fair resolution and entirely focus on recovery.
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