According to the latest data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), around 182,000 people are injured in a large truck or bus crash every year. Were you recently involved in such an accident?
If so, it’s important to have the right legal team by your side. An experienced truck accident attorney can help you navigate these critical next steps, so you can recover both physically and financially.
Today, we’re sharing seven essential reasons why it’s time to hire one today.
1. Trucking Companies Are Powerful
A truck accident case can be among the most challenging to pursue. This is because trucking companies are usually substantial in size, as well as power. While they might have the money to compensate you for your injuries, they also have the ability to arm themselves with hefty legal representation.
This means they’re unlikely to back down without a fight, and could even take your claim to court. An experienced truck accident lawyer can help you put up an equally strong presence. They know what you need to do to win, and they will do everything possible to make sure you receive the payout you deserve.
2. A Truck Accident Attorney Knows the Law
Do you know the ins and outs of all the truck accident laws in your state? They can be nuanced and intricate, and even one loophole could cost you the case.
Truck accident attorneys are closely familiar with all of the legal aspects that accompany a truck accident injury. They can use this knowledge to stay one step ahead of the trucking company to make sure they maintain responsibility for any damages.
3. They Can Communicate With Insurance Companies
Recovering from truck accidents is difficult enough. You shouldn’t have to negotiate back and forth with an insurance company as you heal. A truck accident lawyer will take care of that work for you.
Often, these companies will send you a letter, with a compensation offer that they feel is appropriate. They determine this amount based on evidence, information from police reports, and conversations with the other drivers involved.
However, keep in mind that insurance teams are in the business of making money, not losing it. As such, their offers are usually far less than what you truly need and deserve. In addition, they may not account for any additional expenses you’ve incurred since the accident, including lost wages if you’re unable to resume work immediately afterward.
Your lawyer can counsel you on what to say (and not say), and then work directly with your insurance company to make sure the offer is fair.
4. They’ll Take Care of All Paperwork
The paperwork involved in filing a case can be time-consuming and laborious. It can also be confusing, especially if you’ve never dealt with an incident like this before.
Fortunately, this is all that your truck accident attorney does. They know exactly which forms you need, and how to complete them. They’ll guide you through every step of this journey to make sure you do everything by the book.
Otherwise, you could miss an important step or skip a critical form. This could delay or even derail your case, so it’s important to partner with a legal team that can keep you on track.
5. They Can Determine Liability
A trucking accident will often involve multiple parties, from the individual driver to the truck manufacturer. This can make it difficult to pinpoint and prove liability. Knowing this, big trucking companies will often use the ambiguity against you, claiming that you were at fault, even if that wasn’t the case.
If you’re injured in the accident, the culpable parties should be held responsible. Your lawyer can help you navigate these complexities, and will do everything in their power to help determine which parties are at fault. Then, they’ll fight to make sure you receive your compensation as soon as possible.
6. They’ll Devise a Strong Legal Strategy
Trucking accident cases can quickly turn into a complicated web of stories and sides. As the victim, you might not know what data you need to prove and win your case.
This is where a truck accident attorney can be immensely valuable. Immediately following your accident, you can talk to your lawyer and explain what happened. They’ll combine this information with accident evidence, reports from on-site witnesses and expert witnesses, and other resources to piece together the real story.
Then, they’ll use these insights to devise a powerful legal strategy that works in your favor. They’ll know who to talk to and what actions to take to give you the outcome you deserve.
7. They Can Help Cover More Than Medical Bills
One reason you should never sign the first offer you receive from an insurance company? Often, their “compensation” is only designed to cover the bare minimum. For instance, it might allow you to pay all of the medical bills associated with your accident.
However, the full extent of your damages could go beyond that treatment. For instance, you might have experienced damage to your truck, which can cost thousands to repair. Or, you might suffer emotional trauma from the accident. Then, there’s the issue of lost income if the injury rendered you unable to work.
Your truck accident lawyer will work to make sure that your final payout is plentiful enough to cover everything you need, and will never settle for just the minimum.
Contact Our Truck Accident Attorneys Today
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you deserve to rest and heal. You should feel confident that you have a qualified and experienced truck accident attorney on your side, ready to put up a strong defense against the trucking companies, insurance companies, and any other party responsible.
If you’re looking for legal representation, our team is ready to help. Contact us today for a free case evaluation and let’s connect.