Traffic accidents that involve large commercial trucks can result in property damage, serious injury, and death. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5,936 people have died in traffic crashes involving large commercial trucks. This reflects a two percent increase from the 5,821 people killed the previous year.
Truck accident victims and their families should seek legal representation after a large truck crash impacts them. Contact a truck accident attorney to learn more about protecting your legal rights and options after a truck crash.
Unique Issues In Truck Accidents
There might be unique situations that are only present in truck accidents. These issues might make getting financial compensation more challenging. Here are some of the unique issues that truck accident victims can face:
Insurance Coverage
Some various people or entities might share liability for the accident. That means that there are potentially multiple insurance companies that you might work with during the case. Insurance companies make claims tough, but having an attorney working for you can reduce stress.
Multiple Potential Defendants
There are many potential defendants in a truck accident case. The driver, their employer, other drivers, pedestrians, and even government entities can share the blame for a truck accident. Identifying and holding each defendant accountable can be hard for an individual without an attorney.
Weather and Road Conditions
Both bad weather and poorly maintained roads might cause a devastating truck accident. If the road conditions contributed to the accident, you may sue the government entity responsible for road maintenance.
Severe Injuries
Severe injuries might bring complex medical evidence. Given the size and weight of these vehicles, severe injuries are likely to happen. An attorney can review the medical evidence and collect important information to build your case.
Common injuries in truck accident cases include:
- Whiplash
- Fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Chest injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Lacerations and abrasions
- Knee and leg injuries
- Psychological injuries
Federal Regulations
Federal regulations apply specifically to the trucking industry, governing everything from vehicle maintenance to driver qualifications. A truck accident attorney can navigate the complex area of federal trucking regulations, ensuring compliance and protecting your rights throughout the legal process.
Negligent Hiring and Training Practices
Trucking companies can be held liable for negligent hiring and training practices. Companies must hire competent drivers and place properly trained drivers on the road.
Cargo Loading Issues
Employees responsible for loading cargo might cause an accident due to improper loading. Under these circumstances, both the loaders and the company might share liability.
Potential Long-Term Effects
Truck accident victims might suffer temporary or permanent effects of their injuries. Victims living with the long-term effects of their injuries deserve full compensation.
The right attorney can guide you in overcoming these challenges. Continue reading to learn more about how a truck accident lawyer can help.
How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?
The services of an experienced truck accident attorney can make all the difference when pursuing financial compensation after an accident. A truck accident lawyer can support you in the following ways:
Maximizing Compensation
An attorney can maximize your compensation. A truck accident lawyer can identify your losses and ensure you receive the best financial outcome.
Examples of potential compensable damages after a truck accident include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- The cost of long-term or ongoing care
- Lost income
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Emotional and mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies make negotiating a tough task. Multiple insurance companies can contribute to a truck accident. An attorney can ensure you do not leave any money on the table during the settlement negotiations phase.
Litigation Support
If your case doesn’t settle, your lawyer can file a lawsuit in court for you. Never represent yourself. A lawyer will protect your rights against dismissal for violating procedural rules.
Handling Complex Liability Issues
Multiple defendants in truck accident cases make assigning liability hard. An attorney will investigate and review the available evidence and identify all potential defendants.
Understanding Laws and Regulations
Truck drivers must follow state and federal regulations. Because of the two systems of law, knowing how the law applies to your case presents challenges. Having an attorney means having an experienced professional to navigate the legal process for you.
Gathering Evidence
Some pieces of evidence can be more difficult than others to collect. In truck accident cases, an expert witness’s testimony might explain the extent of your injuries. An attorney can access beneficial pieces of evidence for your case.
Handling Legal Procedures
An attorney can handle the legal side of recovery while you focus on your physical well-being. Your attorney can manage deadlines for you, procedural issues, paperwork, third-party communications, and other important tasks.
Reducing Stress
Having a lawyer gives you access to sound legal advice to give you peace of mind and reduce the stress of your legal battle.
A legal team behind you serves your best interests after a truck accident. You deserve the best outcome, and working with an attorney is how you do that. Contact a lawyer immediately if you have suffered an injury in a truck accident.
How Long Do I Have To Sue After a Truck Accident?
You do not have an unlimited amount of time to sue for your injuries after a truck accident. You must follow the statute of limitations, a deadline for filing a lawsuit to collect compensation. An attorney can manage this critical deadline for you.
Contact a Truck Accident Attorney Today
A truck accident attorney is your partner in pursuing financial compensation after a crash. Attempting to recover your monetary losses after a truck accident can be challenging, especially without a legal representative. Contact a Marion personal injury lawyer today to learn how to protect your legal rights after a crash.
Adam B. Lawler
Attorney at Law / Partner
Adam Lawler is the founder of Lawler Brown. Adam is a 2004 graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law. Adam worked for a local firm until founding the Lawler Brown in 2009. Adam’s practice areas focus in Personal Injury, Business, Real Estate, Probate/Trust/Estate Administration and general litigation.
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