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
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
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?
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
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
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