When a big rig or commercial truck hits you, you don’t have to deal with the aftermath alone. As you begin recovering from your injuries, enlisting the help of a skilled truck wreck attorney can be a wise decision.
Your physical, emotional, and financial recovery depends on you receiving adequate damages. An experienced lawyer can help in several ways.
Why Truck Accident Claims Are So Complex
Obtaining compensation that addresses your medical bills, lost wages, mental trauma, and other losses after a truck accident can be challenging. This difficulty is due to several factors. For instance, truck wrecks:
- Can involve multiple responsible parties
- Routinely result in catastrophic injuries
- Often involve large amounts of data and evidence
- Involve potential violations of state and federal laws and regulations
Another feature of truck accident lawsuits that makes them more complex than other personal injury cases is the presence of opposing attorneys. Trucking companies and their insurers typically employ experienced defense lawyers to challenge claims and limit their clients’ liability.
Your truck wreck lawyer can help you address these complexities in the following ways:
Gathering Evidence
Obtaining and preserving evidence is crucial after a truck crash. If the truck driver or their insurance company denies liability, you’ll need evidence to establish fault. However, things like dash camera footage, logbooks, and electronic data can disappear quickly.
A truck crash attorney with experience handling injury claims can uncover and preserve the evidence available in your case. They’ll also know how to leverage this evidence for negotiations and litigation.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies will begin contacting you soon after the wreck to ask for information, statements, and documentation. They’re looking for anything they can use to deny or reduce any claim you submit. Understandably, responding to these requests can be nerve-racking.
When you work with an attorney, they’ll respond to these requests for you. That way, you won’t jeopardize your legal rights while pursuing compensation.
Negotiating Settlements With Insurance
Offering a settlement is a standard tactic insurers use to limit their clients’ expenses and legal exposure.
Settlements can offer injury victims compensation faster than a trial. However, it’s important for victims not to settle their cases unless the offer is fair and adequately addresses their losses. You’ll be on the hook for any expenses your settlement doesn’t address.
Your attorney can help you decide whether to accept a given settlement offer. They can also assist in negotiating a more favorable settlement if the one the insurer makes doesn’t meet your needs.
Supporting Claims of Liability
Using the evidence they gathered earlier, your truck wreck attorney will build a case to convince the other party to settle on your terms.
Such a settlement becomes more likely if the other party believes the evidence conclusively shows that they were at fault. A skilled lawyer will know how to use the available evidence to make this argument.
If they’re unable to reach a settlement, your lawyer can use their skills of persuasion in the courtroom. They’ll use available evidence and witness testimony to convince the judge or jury that you deserve compensation.
Managing Legal Deadlines and Paperwork
You only have two years from the date of your truck accident to file your claim. Failing to meet this deadline or making other procedural errors could prevent you from recovering the damages you’re entitled to. By relying on the services of an experienced attorney, you can avoid these mistakes and keep your claim moving forward.
Your attorney can file your claim properly and handle all other legal documents that may be necessary in your case, ensuring that all pleadings, responses, and other papers are submitted in compliance with applicable deadlines.
FAQ
Do I Need a Texas Truck Accident Lawyer?
While no law requires you to hire an attorney for your claim, there are numerous benefits to doing so. Your attorney can help file your claim, gather evidence, negotiate with insurers, and protect your legal rights throughout the claims process. These benefits are well worth the investment.
Which Truck Crash Lawyer Is the Right Choice for Me?
When choosing a lawyer to represent you, you’ll want to look for one with experience handling complex truck accident cases. It’s also essential that they communicate well and keep you informed about the status of your claim.
How Much Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Cost?
Lawyers often charge different fees for their services. Some may charge you hourly, while others will make their fees contingent on your recovery. If lawyers who charge a contingency fee don’t obtain compensation for you, you won’t owe them any fees, though there may be other costs you’re responsible for paying.
Your attorney should clearly explain their fees and expenses before you hire them.
How Quickly Can My Truck Accident Case Resolve With an Attorney?
The time it takes for your truck accident claim to conclude can depend on many factors. One of the main ones is whether you and the other party can reach an acceptable settlement. If that isn’t possible, your attorney will take your case to trial, which could take months or even a year or longer.
Consult an Experienced Truck Wreck Attorney From Ramsey Law Group
Ramsey Law Group has over 25 years of experience representing clients harmed in commercial truck crashes and other accidents. Our truck accident lawyers know these cases can be complicated and traumatic, and they’re prepared to use their negotiation and litigation skills to recover the fair and adequate compensation you deserve.
Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation with our capable legal team.