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Truck accident lawyers are also called trucking lawyers or commercial vehicle lawyers. They typically work on cases involving accidents on different types of trucks which can be fatal or non-fatal. They may also be involved in cases where the truck is used as a weapon against other people or property, such as when it is used in the act of terrorism.
Truck accident lawyers have a lot of responsibilities that range from negotiation to investigation. They need to know about the law, work closely with insurance companies, and have excellent negotiating skills. If you or someone you know got involved in a truck accident, this article is for you.
Common Causes of Crashed Trucks
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the leading cause of truck drivers is a crash. Around 26,000 people were hurt, and 700 heavy truck drivers or passengers lost their lives in collisions in 2012. A motor vehicle accident caused about 65 percent of truck driver fatalities that occurred while they were working in 2012. Given the statistics, consulting truck accident lawyers is a must.
Every year, thousands of people are hurt or killed because of big rig accidents. The severity of injuries and the high death toll is often attributable to the massive weight difference between the truck and the passenger vehicle. Since semi-trucks typically move at high speeds, any injuries sustained in a collision with one can be extremely severe.
Even though accidents with semi trucks only account for about 3.5 percent of all accidents, that percentage rises dramatically when we look solely at fatal accidents. It’s safe to assume that the occupants of other vehicles will be at greater danger in the event of a semi vs car accident. This is due to their significantly larger size and weight than a typical passenger automobile.
Listed below are many of the most common causes of truck accidents where truck accident lawyers can help:
- Truck Rollovers
When a truck driver loses control, the vehicle can slide and roll onto its side, potentially crushing other cars.
- Head On
Different trucking types head-on crashes are frequently the most deadly, leading to severe damage or even death.
- Overload
Truck loads that are not correctly loaded or secured pose a significant risk to adjacent vehicles and can result in accidents with commercial vehicles.
- Sudden Break
Smaller vehicles that are following closely behind a truck and trying to pass it too rapidly may become stuck beneath the trailer if the truck stops abruptly.
What Truck Accident Lawyers Do?
Truck accident lawyers resolve matters involving trucks from beginning to end, including trials if necessary. The following are some specific actions truck accident attorneys will take when investigating a case.
1. Looking Into Truck Accident Cases
A truck accident attorney will know whether or not to accept a case from a potential client based on the strength and validity of the facts presented by the client.
Most truck accident lawyers do so on a contingency basis, so they will want to ensure they have a high possibility of success in your case. The attorney works on “contingency,” meaning they are only compensated if the client receives a financial recovery.
2. Gather information to build the case.
A truck accident attorney will know whether or not to accept a case from a potential client based on the strength and validity of the facts presented by the client.
Most truck accident lawyers do so on a contingency basis, so they will want to ensure they have a high possibility of success in your case. The attorney works on “contingency,” meaning they are only compensated if the client receives a financial recovery.
A truck accident attorney will start looking into a case once they’ve agreed to represent a client. Such examples could be:
- Visiting the truck crash site
- Reviewing images captured at the scene of the accident
- Identifying and contacting witnesses to obtain testimony
- Looking at recorded footage
- Assessing the damage to the vehicle
- Studying the patient’s medical records and bills
As soon as the client provides the lawyer with an estimate of their entire damages and other relevant information, the attorney can begin constructing a case.
3. Send demand letters
Truck accident lawyers may send a demand letter to the insurance company of the person who caused a truck accident after conducting an investigation. The demand letter will explain what happened and how much money the victim needs to get by.
4. Negotiate with insurance firms
A lawyer who specializes in truck accidents will examine the policy, calculate the victim’s losses precisely, and deal with the insurance company on their behalf. Together, they will attempt to reach a settlement that adequately compensates the victim for their losses.
5. Initiate discovery
During the pre-trial discovery phase, a lawyer for a truck accident will collect evidence, study applicable case law, and start formulating legal theories. Additionally, they may conduct witness interviews and depositions, write legal briefs, and discovery requests.
6. Represent you during the trial
A lawyer specializing in truck driver accidents will defend their client at trial if the case goes to trial. An expert truck accident attorney will know what to expect at each stage of the trial.
Get A Quick Settlement With The Help Of Trucking Accident Lawyers
Avoid accepting any offers of a speedy settlement from truck insurers or your own insurance company. Likely, it’s less than you could have gotten with an attorney on your side. A personal injury attorney can help determine if a settlement offer is fair.
Once you accept an insurance company’s lowball offer to settle your claim, you forfeit all future compensation for that claim. After reaching a settlement, if new injuries manifest themselves weeks or months later, you will be responsible for their treatment out of pocket.
CONCLUSION
Truck accident lawyers are legal professionals who represent people who have been involved in a truck accident. They are often hired by trucking companies to help with legal matters related to the company. They also help people with their claims and related documentation, such as medical records, insurance claims, and more.
Your truck accident claim will move along more quickly if you get checked out by a doctor right away and adhere to their recommendations for treatment. This will provide your lawyer with crucial supporting evidence for your claim and lessen the likelihood of any unforeseen health problems requiring a revision to your settlement demand.
