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Key Takeaways:
- A truck accident attorney evaluates your case and determines the best path toward compensation for your damages.
- They also gather critical evidence you may have trouble getting yourself, such as employment and truck maintenance records.
- Your lawyer will determine who is liable for your crash and calculate the full value of your economic and non-economic damages.
- Your truck accident attorney will negotiate the best settlement possible with the insurance company.
- If necessary to secure fair compensation, your truck accident lawyer can take your case to court.
Accidents with large, heavy commercial trucks can cause catastrophic injuries that have a lasting impact on your physical well-being, finances, ability to work, and mental health. You deserve fair compensation, but truck accident claims can be challenging, especially because the liable trucking company often controls key evidence.
Understanding how a truck accident lawyer can protect your best interests in these cases is essential. Experienced truck accident lawyers know which state and federal trucking laws are relevant, what evidence to seek from trucking companies, and how to negotiate with powerful insurance companies. Choosing the right lawyer for your truck accident claim can affect your odds of winning fair compensation.
Key Responsibilities of a Truck Accident Lawyer
Because of the size and weight of large commercial vehicles, truck accidents often result in significant damage to other vehicles and serious injuries for those involved. Hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer can help you build a strong case for compensation. Among other things, they will:
- Evaluate the case: Your attorney must evaluate your claim’s merits. Pursuing a claim without merit may worsen your situation after a truck accident.
- Investigate the accident: If you have a viable case, your attorney will begin gathering evidence. They will ask the trucking company for critical information, including black box data, driver logs, and accident reports. Your attorney will also talk to witnesses and review evidence from the accident scene and police reports.
- Identify liable parties: Evidence collection will also help your attorney identify all parties responsible for your crash. This process can be complex since multiple entities are often responsible. For example, depending on the circumstances, your lawyer may demand compensation from the trucking company, cargo loaders, and truck part manufacturers.
- Calculate damages: Your lawyer will calculate your full economic and non-economic damages and pursue fair compensation. Economic damages include financial losses, such as medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages compensate for the subjective harm the truck accident caused, such as physical and emotional pain and suffering.
- Negotiate with insurance companies: Your truck accident lawyer will deal with insurance companies to pursue fair compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. It is in your best interests to contact a personal injury lawyer before speaking with an insurance adjuster. They will identify lowball offers, protect you from accepting one, and negotiate aggressively for meaningful compensation. Your lawyer can pursue your case in court if there is no fair settlement offer.
Regardless of how friendly an adjuster seems, avoid talking to insurance companies without your lawyer present, especially if the insurer represents the at-fault party. They will twist your words to avoid compensating you fairly.
Trucking companies have higher-value insurance policies, so there is a lot at stake. An attorney can protect your rights and ensure you leave no money on the table.
Legal Processes Handled by a Truck Accident Lawyer
The primary role of a truck accident attorney is to handle the legal claims process on your behalf. Choose an attorney with a strong record of winning high-value settlements and verdicts for their clients, particularly in truck accident cases.
Filing Claims and Lawsuits
Your attorney can help you file your claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company and present the evidence necessary to support your claim. Your attorney will also prepare to go to court if your case doesn’t settle.
Your lawyer must file your legal claim before the correct statute of limitations. If you fail to report an accident or file your claim on time, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation. Your attorney will notify the other party that you are formally suing for damages and prepare for trial.
Another important legal service is working with expert witnesses, such as accident reconstructionists or medical professionals. Your truck accident lawyer will ask the other party’s lawyers to turn over any evidence not already released in discovery and settlement negotiations.
Representing You in Court
Some complex truck accident cases go to court because the parties can’t agree on a settlement or whether there should even be one. In these cases, your claim may end up in court, requiring a strong advocate to defend your right to compensation.
Choose a truck accident lawyer with significant litigation experience. Ask about their success rate in securing fair settlements and when cases go to trial.
Participating in legal proceedings can be intimidating, especially when called to testify in court. Your lawyer will prepare you and your witnesses to testify, working to ensure you are not caught off guard by opposing counsel’s questioning.
Determining Compliance With Regulations
Experienced truck accident attorneys understand the federal and state trucking laws that apply to your case. It can bolster your claim if your lawyer discovers that the driver or the trucking company violated these laws.
For example, federal regulations limit how long drivers can be on the road before taking a break. Evidence that the truck driver violated these hours-of-service regulations leading up to your accident may be enough to prove their liability and their company’s.
Benefits of Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer
Of course, one of the main benefits of hiring a lawyer after a truck accident is their legal expertise. Truck accident claims often involve complex questions about trucking laws, evidence, and liability. The legal know-how an accomplished truck accident attorney brings to the table can mean the difference between obtaining a fair settlement and nothing.
Your lawyer will also alleviate your stress by tackling evidence collection, dealing with insurance companies, and building a strong claim for damages on your behalf. This allows you to focus on recovering from your injuries.
How To Choose the Right Lawyer
There are several considerations when choosing a lawyer. To start, select an attorney you feel comfortable talking to. They should be able to thoroughly answer your questions about truck accidents.
It may not be easy to talk about the details of a crash, your injuries, and the effect on you and your family. However, you should feel comfortable talking to your lawyer so they can get the necessary details of your case to make solid arguments on your behalf. Good communication also helps when negotiating a settlement with the insurance company.
When choosing a lawyer after a crash, ask about their overall experience, particularly with truck accidents. A qualified attorney should understand federal and state trucking laws and how they apply to your case. They should also understand the common causes of truck accidents, giving them more insight when investigating your claim.
Ultimately, the most important role of a truck accident attorney is winning compensation for their clients. Ask about their track record in truck accident claims, including out-of-court settlements and verdicts handed down at trial. Prior successes should reflect the lawyer’s legal expertise and advocacy skills.
At NST Law, our truck accident attorneys have a decades-long history of successfully negotiating fair settlements and winning high-value verdicts in court for our clients. We’ve represented thousands of vulnerable injury victims against powerful corporations and insurance companies that prioritize profits over people.
“After my accident, NST was the first people I called when I heard about them, and I was glad I chose them. They handled my case like a pro. I was always able to get in touch with them when necessary, and they provided me with updates throughout the inter-process. They are very friendly and proficient.”
“I received excellent service, Parker Trotz was very thorough and went the extra mile to make sure all my needs were met. Definitely would recommend NST Law if you are ever in need of a personal injury firm.”
The firm successfully represented a 43-year-old disabled veteran involved in a head-on collision with a tractor-trailer that turned in front of his vehicle. Following the crash, the client was airlifted to a hospital, where he was diagnosed with multiple fractures to his left leg and hip, resulting in severe blood clotting complications. These injuries required extensive medical treatment and a lengthy recovery period.
Our team aggressively pursued litigation and conducted comprehensive discovery to uncover critical evidence from the trucking company. Through diligent advocacy, we successfully mediated the case and secured a $685,000 settlement for our client, helping him move forward after this life-altering incident.
More here: verdicts and settlements.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. The skilled legal team at NST Law is passionate about protecting our clients and community. Call (615) 249-1946 or contact us online to learn more in a free, no-obligation case review.
