Truck Accident Lawyer – Your Guide to Legal Rights and Compensation
Truck accidents are the worst road accidents ever; they often result in heavy casualties, serious injuries, and sometimes even loss of life due to damage caused to other vehicles involved. A collision involving a commercial truck can cause severe damage with its weight and size.
If it is you or your loved one who are truck accident victims, then getting an attorney specialized in truck accidents would be just right. These lawyers will guide their victims in receiving reasonable compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and suffering. Here’s the walk-through guide: legal process, your rights, and how to choose the best lawyer for your case.
Understanding Truck Accidents
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
- Truck accidents can be attributed to several causes, such as driver error, mechanical failure, and external circumstances. The following are some of the common causes:
- Truck drivers work for long hours, which makes them exhausted and slow in reaction.
- Federal regulations limit driving hours, but some companies pressure drivers to meet tight deadlines, increasing fatigue risks.
- Distracted Driving
- • Main distractions are comprised of those related to eating while driving and those to do with the phone and/or GPS.
- • Communications or inboard computers of the dispatch may interfere with tractor-trailers.
- 3. Reckless and speeding driving
- • Many truckers overdrive in pursuit of shortening stop times to meet time-of-arrival schedules.
- •Horrific accidents may result from reckless lane-changing and aggressive driving..
- Poor Truck Maintenance
- Brake failure, blowout of tires, and engine breakdown occur because of poor maintenance.
- Trucking companies are supposed to inspect for safety, but most do not.
- Over-loaded or Inappropriately Loaded Shipment
- Overloading always raises the possibility of a blowout and rollover.
- The trailer could experience uneven loads that cause it to overturn or steer. Types of Injuries in Truck Accidents
Such impacts are usually life-altering and horrific; injuries from a truck collision tend to be caused by the intensity of the impact. General forms of injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) – Caused by forgetfulness, inability to think properly, or total disability.
- Spinal cord injuries – Paralysis or chronic ache.
- Broken bones and fractures – Surgery and long rehabilitation.
- Internal organ damage – May cause death if medical attention is not administered immediately.
- Burn injuries – In truck fires or fuel explosions.
- Most survivors, courts will need compensation for them, suffering lifelong physical and psychological trauma to get back into life.
Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer
- How an Attorney Can Help in Your Case Truck accident claims are much more complex than the common auto accident claims. Other parties involved are;
- Truck drivers
- Trucking companies
- Truck manufacturers
- Insurance companies
- Government agencies, in case any issue concerning the maintenance of the roads arises
- A wise truck accident lawyer can carry out the following things;
- Determine the responsibility concerning the accident
- Recovery of all pieces of evidence possibly present from the black box of the truck, driver’s log, or any other maintenance record.
- Negotiate with the insurance company for proper settlement. It can go to trial, if necessary..
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention
- • Your health matters; report to the hospital now.
- • Even when you feel well, many injuries with internal bleeding do not hurt initially.
2. Call the Police and Report the Accident
- • A police report is required to determine the fault.
- • Request for photocopy of the accident report as soon as possible..
- Gather Evidence at the Scene
- Photograph and video recording:
- Damages to the vehicle
- State of the road
- Injuries sustained
Name of the company and the truck number on the license plate number
- Extract the contact number from the witness
4 . Never apologize, and don’t sign
- Anything you say will be used against you
- You should never sign any insurance forms without consulting an attorney.
5.Seek a truck accident attorney early
- An attorney will negotiate with the insurance companies, prepare, and file all of the legal paper work and plead your case to a court.
- The sooner you can get an attorney the greater likelihood you will have of winning.
What Compensation Can You Receive?
Some examples of recoverable damages in a truck accident claim include:
Economic Damages (Actual Losses)
Medical treatment, including surgery, physical therapy, and prescription drugs
Wages lost since you caworkt wor.k
Loss to property example examp, le your automobile which needs repair or replacement
Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)
Psychological trauma/PTSD, anxiety, and depression
Loss of the enjoyment of life
Permanently disabled: permanent disability damage
Punitive damages when the trucking company acted negligentl
The court will surely give punitive damages if the trucking company was violating the given safety regulations.
How to Choose the Best Truck Accident Lawyer
If you are going to go out seeking an attorney, you should seek the following qualities:
- Experience with trucking accidents
- Proven winner by winning a huge settlement
- Good negotiator and trial lawyer
- No upfront fees; contingency basis: only gets paid if you win
Before you hire, ask:
How many trucking accident cases did you handle?
What is your success rate?
Do you offer a free consultation?
Conclusion
Truck accidents can turn your life to worse by serious injuries, emotional trauma, and heavy financial burdens on the victims. If injuries are involved, a truck accident lawyer will fight for the right compensation on behalf of the client. Do not let the insurance companies shortchange your settlement; get a lawyer today.