Trucking accidents are usually associated with devastating outcomes, debilitating injuries, and complex legal processes that make it hard for victims of these accidents to secure the compensation they need.
That makes hiring an experienced truck accident attorney after an accident critical to protecting your rights and going after the justice and financial damages you deserve. However, if you are still trying to decide when to hire a truck accident attorney after a trucking collision, the following guide will explore some scenarios in which you should retain a knowledgeable truck accident attorney.
When You Sustained a Severe Injury Following a Trucking Accident
If you suffered severe trauma following a trucking accident, such as a permanent disability or a traumatic injury, and require ongoing medical care, you should consider discussing the accident with an experienced trucking accident lawyer as soon as possible.
While injuries after a trucking accident will usually depend on the circumstances of the crash, in general, these injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage, including paralysis
- Broken bones
- Crushing injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Internal damages
- Facial trauma
- Limb loss
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Death
In addition, many of these injuries will require extensive medical treatment that can result in astronomical medical bills. These injuries can also prevent the victim from working following this horrifying accident, causing financial strain on the whole family.
However, when you work with an experienced truck accident lawyer following the accident, these attorneys can help you go after the financial damages you deserve to cover all your bills and losses resulting from the trucking collision and make sure you have the money you need to receive the treatment you require in the future.
When You Are Not Sure What Caused The Trucking Accident
To bring a successful legal claim after a trucking accident, you need to show what happened and how this accident caused your injuries. However, figuring out what caused the trucking accident is not always that straightforward.
In fact, there are many causes that can lead to a trucking accident, including:
- Drivers operating their trucks under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Failing to stop at a red light or stop sign
- Failing to yield
- A defective truck or trucking parts, such as a flawed steering system
- Reckless driving, such as tailgating
As a result, if you want to know what caused your trucking collision, consider speaking to an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as you can. These lawyers can review the facts of your accident, carefully investigate the crash, and help you figure out what caused your accident and the legal actions you can pursue.
When You Want to Know Whether You Have a Viable Legal Claim
Even if you were harmed in a trucking accident, it does not mean you can file a lawsuit after the incident.
Typically, to determine if you have a viable legal claim after one of these tragic incidents, a thorough analysis needs to be completed of the incident, including a review of:
- Did you suffer harm in the trucking accident?
- What was the extent and severity of these injuries?
- Was the accident the result of another person’s negligent, reckless, or intentional actions?
- Is there insurance money available following the trucking collision?
- Is there enough time to file a lawsuit after the trucking accident?
If you want to know whether you can pursue legal action after a trucking collision, contact an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible. A legal professional can provide you with further information regarding your legal claim, determine if you have a valid legal case, and help you figure out the best ways to go after maximum compensation.
More Parties Than the Truck Driver May Have Contributed
What many people do not realize is that following a trucking accident, they can hold numerous parties responsible for the collision, even those who were not present at the crash.
These parties can include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- A trucking maintenance company
- Manufacturers
- A governmental agency
- Another motorist on the road
To determine which of these parties is to blame for your accident, it is a good idea to discuss the case with an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. These attorneys can figure out which parties are to blame for your crash and then make sure to hold these parties accountable for the losses, injuries, and damages you suffered.
When the Insurance Company Does Not Want to Pay You the Money You Need After the Accident
It is common for insurance companies to deny claims or provide meager settlements to make victims go away after an accident, especially since the less these insurance companies pay in claims, the more profit they make. However, by hiring a knowledgeable truck accident attorney, you can show these insurers that you are not willing to settle for lowball offers or let them get away with their deceitful practices.
Once hired, these lawyers can investigate the insurance policies involved, figure out where to file your legal claim, and make sure you do not accept a low settlement offer. In addition, these attorneys can make sure that the insurance company is not dragging its feet when it comes to the claims process, requiring you to fill out unnecessary and tedious paperwork or misrepresent the terms of the insurance policy.
Plus, if the insurance company refuses to get you the money you need, these attorneys may take your case to trial and fight for the maximum damages you deserve.
When You Want To Recover More Than Just Medical Bills
Depending on the circumstances of the trucking accident, you may recover more than just compensation for your medical bills.
In fact, you may recover:
Economic Damages
These damages refer to payment for tangible losses after an accident. They include losses related to:
- Ongoing medical treatments
- Lost income, reduced earning capacity, and lost business opportunities
- Personal property damages, including replacement and repair costs
- Rehabilitative therapy
- At-home replacement services
Non-economic Damages
Non-economic damages refer to payment for the rather hard-to-quantify subjective losses that result from an accident, including:
- Pain
- Suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Humiliation
- Amputation
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
However, if you want to know which of these damages apply after your trucking crash, it may be a good idea to go over the accident with an experienced truck accident attorney. These legal professionals can figure out which of these damages you may be able to pursue, determine the full extent of your losses, and help you go after maximum compensation.
In addition, courts will sometimes also award punitive damages.
Yet, when you work with an experienced truck accident attorney, they can thoroughly investigate your trucking collision, determine whether you may seek these damages, and gather the necessary evidence to prove to the court that you should receive them.
When You Need Help Gathering Evidence Following the Trucking Accident
Obtaining evidence following a trucking accident is critical in proving what happened, who was responsible, and the extent of your damages. However, getting this evidence on your own is not always possible, especially after a devastating trucking collision. That is why retaining an experienced truck accident attorney after a trucking accident is so important.
Once hired, these lawyers can promptly begin investigating your accident and securing relevant and detailed evidence such as:
- Black box data, which can provide information regarding the truck’s speed and whether the driver applied their breaks
- Maintenance records to determine whether the trucking company knew that the truck had issues with it
- Company records showing truck driver information, including their history of accidents and drug tests
- Medical records and documentation showing the severity of your injuries and the type of medical treatments you need now and in the future
- Eyewitness accounts of the accident
- Video footage from buildings nearby
- Pictures of the incident, including photos of the damage to the vehicles, the crash scene, traffic and weather conditions at the time of the accident, and anything else that can help establish what happened
These attorneys can then use this evidence to prepare the strongest legal case on your behalf and go after the financial damages you deserve.
When You Lost a Loved One Because of the Trucking Accident
Losing a loved one following a trucking accident can put you through a horrific ordeal, leaving your family struggling with what you should do next and what legal options you have. Yet, thinking about your legal options and the remedies available to you is probably the last thing you want to worry about as you are grieving the loss of a family member.
Thankfully, you will not have to. When you hire an experienced truck accident attorney to take on your legal claim after this tragic loss, these attorneys can determine what legal remedies you can go after, as well as help you fight for the monetary damages you and your family are entitled to.
When Other Parties Dispute Liability for the Trucking Collision
In a successful claim, you must show that the other party caused your injuries and losses. However, in some instances, the other side may claim they were not at fault for the collision or even try to blame you. That is why contacting an experienced truck accident attorney immediately after the accident is important.
These lawyers can promptly investigate the incident to figure out what happened and who was responsible for the collision. They can also source for evidence to help hold all those liable answerable for the damages they caused you.
When You Are Not Sure How Much Time You Have to File Your Legal Case
Time is limited when it comes to pursuing legal action after an alleged offense. While the statute of limitations will usually depend on the state where the crash occurred, the facts of the accident, and if any exceptions apply, generally, individuals will only have a few years to file their suit. Failing to do so can result in the court stopping these individuals from going after the financial damages they deserve following an accident.
That is why after a trucking crash, if you want to filed your case before time runs out, reach out to an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. Your lawyers can figure out how much time you have to file your legal suit, determine whether any exceptions apply, and file the proper legal motions before the deadline.
Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney for Further Information
If you or a loved one suffered harm in a trucking accident and you want to know how an experienced personal injury attorney can help you, contact them today for further information.
Your lawyers can provide you with a free case evaluation, which means a knowledgeable legal professional can go over your case at no cost to you, determine the legal actions you should take next, and explain how they can help you fight for your rights and the money you deserve. Plus, if you decide to hire an attorney and pursue a legal claim, you will not have to pay them anything unless you win your case.