When to Hire a Truck Accident Attorney

When you have suffered an injury in a truck accident, you may be eligible to receive a substantial check or jury award if you can show that someone else was to blame. Trucking companies often have deep pockets and extensive insurance policies that you can tap into to pay your settlement. However, their insurance companies will fight you tooth and nail during the legal process. Even when they know that they owe you money, they will do everything possible to avoid paying it to you.

Against this backdrop, you must fight for substantial financial recovery because the insurance company may owe you significant money when you have suffered a severe injury. Depending on the trucking company’s level of fault, you may even qualify for a punitive damages award. You may be powerless to get the justice you need alone because the insurance company has far too extensive of an apparatus for you to fight for your interests successfully. Thus, you need an experienced attorney to represent you throughout the truck accident claims process.

The time to hire a lawyer is now if you do not already have one. You cannot trust the insurance company to do right by you, and instead, you must act with an abundance of suspicion. An experienced truck accident attorney is the only person who can protect your legal rights. If you do not already have a truck accident lawyer, call one now to schedule your free initial consultation.

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You Must Gather Evidence Quickly

You are the one who must prove every single one of your truck accident claims to show that someone else has the legal responsibility to pay you damages. You must provide sufficient evidence to meet your burden of proof to avoid coming away empty-handed, and you should use different sources of evidence to back up what you are saying. Otherwise, you have only your word, which insurance companies will give little regard to when it means they can get out of paying you entirely.

Possible evidence that you can use in your truck accident case includes:

• Witness statements from people who saw the accident or any events surrounding the crash
• Pictures from the scene of the accident
• Photos of the damage to your car
• Traffic camera or dashcam footage
• Testimony from an accident reconstruction expert

You can also use accident investigation reports, but these have limited utility for your case since they may be hearsay.

There is a short shelf life for physical evidence, and you may be unable to track down witnesses to the accident once too much time passes. Waiting too long to get their statements may fade their recollections, and some forms of truck accident evidence can be lost forever.

It is in your best interest to begin collecting evidence as soon as possible after the crash, but you cannot conduct this investigation yourself. The only person with the capacity and experience to investigate your crash and compile a solid legal case is an experienced truck accident lawyer.

You Must Preserve Truck Accident Evidence

There is other truck accident evidence that may not be readily available to you in the days after the accident. Much of this evidence is in the hands of the trucking company, and you need to act quickly to ensure that it is available later in the case when you request it.

The trucking company may have things in their possession like:

• Data points from the truck’s black box
• Maintenance and inspection records from the truck
• The driver’s safety record and any previous incidents that they were involved in
• Drug and alcohol testing records
• Information about the truck’s cargo and weight

You will get to seek this information once you have filed a lawsuit; the process allows each side to conduct discovery. Provided your discovery request is relevant and manageable, the trucking company must produce it during the case. Thus, you can obtain evidence to build a solid case.

Even though there are federal recordkeeping requirements, there are no assurances that the trucking company will follow them. Never underestimate what spooked trucking companies may do when realizing that a nuclear verdict can imperil their existence. Even though there may be severe consequences, trucking companies may still try to destroy evidence to protect themselves.

As soon as you hire your truck accident attorney, they will take action on your behalf. Your lawyer will draft a litigation hold letter and send it to the trucking company, directing it to preserve evidence related to your case. Then, there may be even more severe consequences if the trucking company has destroyed evidence, such as adverse inferences and punitive damages.

The Insurance Company May Try to Compromise Your Case

Any day you do not have a lawyer, you lack essential protection of your legal rights. After the accident, the insurance companies may soon realize they have a serious problem. They have seen the facts and know that the trucking company was at fault, and you may be due a substantial settlement. The insurance and trucking companies may work to compromise your legal rights in any way they can.

The insurance company can begin to pressure you to accept a settlement that pays you pennies on the dollar. You may never realize how much money you could have gotten once you have signed your rights away. Insurance companies may try to get you to admit fault without asking you the question in those exact words. They train the adjusters to get you to talk freely to them and take notes to use against you. All the while, you never even know that you do not have to speak to the insurance company in the first place, and hiring a lawyer right after the accident can prevent this from happening.

You May Not File Your Claim Immediately

Chances are that you must wait to file a claim after your truck accident because too much is up in the air for you to make any definitive statements. First, you will need to reach the point of maximum medical improvement before you even know how much you may be due in a settlement agreement. That takes time because you may need surgery and rehabilitation first.

Then, your lawyer must work with various experts to determine how much you should seek in a truck accident case. They may consult with the following experts:

• Medical experts to understand your physical condition
• Vocational experts to understand your professional capacities and how much money you should have earned had you continued working
• Lifecare planning experts to know what level of care you may need in the future because of your injuries
• Economic experts to know how much costs may escalate in the future

Your lawyer will take some time because this must be an accurate calculation. In addition, your attorney should perform the most robust possible investigation of your accident with the available evidence.

You Need the Peace of Mind that Comes with Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer

When you or a loved one has suffered severe truck accident injuries, you are facing strains in numerous areas of your life. One of the significant difficulties that you will face is in your finances. Your picture will change immediately after the accident because you may begin racking up numerous expenses. You will owe your share of medical costs, even if your health insurance temporarily picks up the tab.

You will be under tremendous pressure after the accident and know there is a legal process you cannot afford to delay. However, you do not know how to approach it, resulting in more stress.

Hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer can at least provide you comfort in one area of your life because you do not have to worry about the day-to-day details of your truck accident case. You will still work with your lawyer when you need to make decisions, but the attorney will handle the investigation, filings, and communications on your behalf. You can feel comfortable knowing that the case is in their hands. Then, you can focus on other essential areas while your legal case moves forward.

The legal process for a truck accident can take considerable time from start to finish, and receiving any check in your account may take years. You may work with the insurance company to reach a settlement before filing a lawsuit. Alternatively, you can bring your case to court to begin the legal process. Either way, you are looking at a long legal road ahead.

You cannot do anything in your case until you hire an attorney to take the first steps toward compensation. It may take time to get you in a position where you can even file a claim or lawsuit, and you do not want your lawyer to rush anything when they seek compensation. Any mistakes can result in money left on the table or jeopardize your settlement chances. Your lawyer needs time to work on your case to put your strongest legal foot forward.

Some people hesitate to get a lawyer because they think they cannot afford it. Money is already tight, and they fear they may need to spend their limited resources on an attorney. You can put those fears to rest because you do not need to write any checks to your truck accident lawyer. You will sign a representation agreement that promises your lawyer will receive payment when you win your case. Then, they will get a percentage of your financial recovery. Before that point, you will not owe your lawyer any money; if you do not get a settlement or award, you will still not owe them any money.

Hire a Lawyer With Experience Handling Truck Accident Claims

If you’ve suffered an injury in a truck accident, it’s crucial to hire a lawyer with experience in handling these types of claims. Truck accidents can result in severe injuries and high-value claims, making it essential to have a legal professional who understands the complexities of these cases.

One of the key reasons to hire a lawyer with experience in truck accident claims is the multiple liable parties and insurance companies involved in many cases. Unlike a typical car accident, a truck accident often involves not just the driver but also the trucking company, the truck manufacturer, and possibly even the cargo company. Each of these parties may have their own insurance company, and navigating through multiple insurance policies can be incredibly challenging without the right legal representation.

Another reason to hire an experienced lawyer is their understanding of the specific laws and regulations that govern the trucking industry. Truck accident cases are subject to federal and state regulations, and an attorney with experience in this area can ensure that all relevant laws are taken into account when building your case. They can also gather critical evidence, such as black box data, maintenance records, and driver logs, to strengthen your claim.

In addition to their knowledge of the legal landscape, an experienced truck accident lawyer will have a network of experts they can rely on to bolster your case. This may include accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and economic experts who can accurately calculate the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.

When it comes to truck accident claims, hiring a lawyer with experience is essential. They can navigate the process, handle interactions with multiple liable parties and insurance companies, and protect your future. Don’t underestimate the importance of having a skilled Augusta personal injury lawyer by your side during this challenging time.