Free 24/7 Consultation | "Call The Champs"
Menu
At NST Law, we are dedicated to helping injured individuals and their families get the justice and compensation they deserve.
Mr. Trotz has handled personal injury cases involving car accidents, trucking accidents, slip and fall, premises liability, and negligent security. Each and every day, Mr. Trotz represents those who have been injured through no fault of their own, and many of his clients have sustained traumatic, catastrophic and life-altering injuries.
After a truck crash, a Pine Bluff truck accident attorney will provide clients with the assistance they need to settle their case. NST attorneys can investigate the case, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you at trial, all for a contingency fee rate.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 10 percent of all motor vehicle accident deaths in 2020 involved large trucks. Truck accidents caused 4,014 deaths that year. Given the severely dangerous nature of truck accidents, it is important to know your legal rights.
At NST Law, our lawyers recognize the dangers of trucks traveling on the interstates: One wrong move and life as you know it has changed. That’s why our skilled lawyers have what it takes to guide you through the complex situations involved in truck accident cases.
Following an accident, your injuries could leave you with a mountain of medical debt. On top of that, you may be out of work. As compensation for your injuries, the liable party’s insurance company should pay for the costs associated with your recovery. Some of those costs are as follows:
Insurance adjusters will consider these factors when calculating the value of your claim. Often, what the insurance company will offer you is less than what you deserve. That is why you should hire an attorney to negotiate with and represent you against the insurance company.
The facts of each truck accident case are very different. Some involve a minor fender bender, while others leave victims with life-threatening injuries. Similarly, some cases are simpler, while other situations are complex.
Whatever the circumstances, our truck accident attorneys in Pine Bluff will handle various tasks to settle your accident claim, including:
The first step a truck accident attorney will take after you reach out to them is to investigate your case. The police report, video footage, and witness statements will help paint a picture of what happened in your accident.
Once the attorney understands the case facts, they can take those to the insurance adjuster to get you the proper compensation.
Each insurance policy is different; some are much more complex than others. Similarly, each adjuster handles negotiations differently. Attorneys will better understand what you deserve and how to get it from the adjusters.
Sometimes insurance companies refuse to pay a fair and reasonable amount for any injuries sustained. In that case, an attorney will file a lawsuit against the insurance company on your behalf. The attorney will draft a “complaint” outlining what happened in the accident and why the insurance company is obligated to the plaintiff.
Lawsuits can take months or even years, and your Pine Bluff Truck accident lawyer will diligently negotiate, research, and prepare motions to settle your case
If the insurance company refuses to settle, the judge will order your case to trial. Truck accident cases generally go in front of a jury, and each side has the opportunity to convince the jury why the defendant should or should not have to pay for their injuries.
According to the Arkansas Code Section 16-56-105, a truck accident victim has three years to file a lawsuit in a truck accident case. The three-year timeline —known as the statute of limitations—begins on the date that the accident occurred.
In some states, the legislature has created a “no-fault” insurance system. No-fault insurance means that regardless of who was at fault for the accident, your insurance company will pay for your injuries.
However, Arkansas is an “at-fault” state, meaning the at-fault party is liable for your injuries. In some circumstances, both drivers involved in an accident are partly at fault. For these cases, Arkansas has adopted the doctrine of comparative fault.
Comparative fault, or “comparative negligence,” means that if you are in an accident but the accident is partly your fault, you are still entitled to damages, so long as you are less than 50 percent responsible for the accident. However, the compensation you receive will be proportionally lower.
For example, suppose a jury awards you $100,000 for your injuries, but the jury also finds that the accident was 20 percent caused by your negligence. As a result, the $100,000 is reduced by 20 percent, leaving you with $80,000.
Generally, truck accident attorneys work on a contingency-fee basis. A contingency fee means the attorney will not receive payment unless they win your case.
This system generally has some caveats. You may still have to pay certain filing fees and supply costs, but if your attorney does not gain compensation for you, you do not have to pay for the time they spent working on your case.
For example, some truck accident attorneys charge a one-third contingency fee. In practice, this would mean that if your attorney settles your case for $60,000, your attorney will receive $20,000, and you will receive $40,000. At NST Law, attorney fees are paid from your settlement or judgment, and you do not owe any fees unless you win your case.
Some attorneys might be open to a flat rate or an hourly fee, depending on the case.
Generally, the sooner you reach out to a Pine Bluff truck accident lawyer about your claim, the better. Some circumstances that can arise and trigger the need for an attorney are:
The truck accident attorneys at NST Law can assist you if you encounter any of these issues. Contact us today to schedule a free case review and learn how we may be able to help.
Below are some of the most common questions regarding truck accident cases.
If you’ve been involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler or other large commercial truck, call the police and seek medical attention right away. Once you’ve alerted emergency services, do your best to take a few simple actions that can protect you from the financial consequences of the crash.
Each case has different circumstances, and some will take longer than others. The length of time it takes to resolve your claim also depends on the insurance company’s willingness to accept its obligation to you, the injured party.
No, you do not have to hire an attorney to settle your case. An attorney is much more capable of getting you the fair compensation you deserve. You may opt to take any offer the insurance company proposes or represent yourself in Small Claims Court, but you should note that, in Arkansas, damages cannot exceed $5,000. When dealing with large commercial trucking companies, this option isn’t ideal.
Most truck accident attorneys do not make you pay out of pocket. Instead, personal injury law firms take their fees out of the compensation they obtain for you.
Contact us for a free consultation now so that we can review your case and decide how we can best help you.
“CALL THE CHAMPS!” | AVAILABLE 24/7
"*" indicates required fields
