Stats show that in 2019 alone 159,000 people were injured in accidents involving large trucks.
Are you the victim of a truck accident? If so, there’s a good chance you should consider hiring a truck accident law firm to represent your interests.
Truck accidents are typically more serious than regular car accidents. What’s more, lodging a truck accident claim is usually more complicated.
There are often more parties involved, and it’s imperative that you correctly identify which one to lodge your claim against. Otherwise, you could experience delays, additional expenses, and the risk of missing the statute of limitations.
In short, without a truck accident lawyer on your side, there’s a good chance you won’t get the compensation you deserve.
If you’re wondering whether you need to contact a truck accident law firm, read on to find out 7 signs that it’s time to pick up the phone and get legal assistance.
1. You’re Not Sure What Type of Case to Open
One of the first signs that you should get in touch with a truck accident law firm is if you’re not sure what type of case to lodge.
If you have been involved in a truck accident, there are two routes you can take in the state of California. You can either choose to claim damages from the trucking company’s insurance, or you can lodge a personal injury claim.
Filing a personal injury claim is usually the more advantageous option if you have sustained serious injuries and damage to your vehicle. This is because a personal injury claim will allow you to claim for things like pain and suffering, lost wages, and future lost earnings.
A simple truck accident claim will only allow you to claim for expenses related to the accident and your injuries.
2. You Sustained Serious Injuries or Damage to Your Vehicle
If you have sustained serious injuries and extensive damage to your vehicle this is also a pressing sign that you need the help of a truck accident law firm.
Unfortunately, the odds are that if you’ve been in a truck accident, the results are probably severe. Reports show that 71% of deaths in large-truck crashes are occupants of other smaller vehicles, and only 18% are truck occupants.
The sheer size and weight of trucks mean that smaller vehicles and their occupants usually get dealt a bad blow.
If this is the situation in your case, then it’s imperative that you get proper compensation that will cover your medical expenses and any emotional impacts and loss of earnings you’re likely to experience.
Unfortunately, if you handle your case alone, there’s a high chance that you won’t get just compensation.
3. Your Case Is Complicated
Truck accident cases are often complex, and proving liability usually requires a professional. Depending on the accident, there might be several parties that could be at fault. These include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The loading company
- A service center
- A parts manufacturer
A truck accident law firm will help you ascertain who you need to lodge your claim against.
If you accidentally sue the wrong party, this could delay your case by many months. Starting over with your case could also mean that you might even miss the statute of limitations and run out of time to lodge your claim.
4. You’re Getting Taken Advantage Of
Have you started to pursue your claim with the trucking company only to feel like you’re getting taken advantage of? If so, you probably are.
The reality is that large trucking companies and their insurance carriers have entire teams of staff dedicated to making sure claimants get paid out as little as possible.
You might find that you’re being pushed from pillar to post, asked unnecessary questions, being blatantly low-balled, or invalidated. You might also find that blame is being shifted towards you, even if you are clearly not the at-fault party.
If any of this is happening it’s time to get legal help in your court.
5. You Need More Evidence
Sometimes it can be hard to prove liability in a truck accident claim. If you’re struggling to gather conclusive evidence, then you need to hire a truck accident law firm immediately.
A truck accident law specialist will be able to secure a lot more evidence than a private person. They will be able to pull:
- Police reports
- Evidence from the truck’s data box
- Witness testimonies
- Evidence from the truck accident scene
- The driver’s training history and experience
- The driver’s drug test results and personal records
Besides this, a truck accident attorney will also have access to expert witnesses such as forensic toxicologists, crash reconstruction experts, medical providers, life care providers, and more. Testimony from expert witnesses like these can strengthen your case monumentally.
6. You’re Receiving Unwanted Calls From the Insurance Adjuster
Are you getting unwanted calls from the insurance adjuster, asking you irrelevant questions about the crash or your injuries?
If so, this is another big signal that it’s time to call in legal muscle to represent you.
Unfortunately, some insurance adjusters have been known to call up crash victims and try to wrangle information out of them that will weaken their case. If you hire a truck accident lawyer, they will handle all communications with the insurance company and protect you from these underhanded tactics.
Truck accident attorneys also know how to negotiate with insurance companies to get you the best settlement. Failing that, they can take the process to court and win you the level of compensation you need for your recovery.
7. You’re Injured and Overwhelmed
Being injured in a truck accident is a traumatic and serious event. If you are trying to recover from injuries, the last thing you need is the stress and exertion of trying to fight your compensation claim.
This can slow down your recovery process and add an extra layer of trauma and stress to the accident.
If you are injured or feel in any way overwhelmed by the claims process, this is a sign that you should hire a truck accident law firm to handle things for you.
Looking for a Reputable Truck Accident Law Firm in California?
Because truck accidents are typically serious and liability can be complicated, it’s usually best to engage a truck accident law firm to represent you.
Do you need help with your truck accident claim? If yes, we are here for you. One of our areas of legal specialty is truck accident law.
If you’re located in California and need a truck accident law firm you can trust, contact Sweet Lawyers today.