Truck Accident Attorney Assistance

How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help You?

Considering the average weight of a semi-truck is 33,000 pounds, it’s no surprise that a serious semi-truck accident can cause an unbelievable amount of damage, far greater than the typical collisions involving other types of vehicles.

Of course, larger trucks and greater destruction means more fatalities and serious injuries. Being in a serious truck accident can change your life in the blink of an eye. The things you took for granted—your health, well-being, and even your career—may be gone. Truck accident victims often have so many questions following an accident, it may be difficult to know where to turn for answers. Medical bills, loss of income, treatment, may all be pressing concerns.

In such an uncertain situation, honest, reliable advice is invaluable. For this reason, one of the first people to call after a truck accident should an experienced truck accident lawyer. Although a lawyer’s primary function in a truck accident context is obtaining compensation for their client, they provide so much more than that.

Here are some other ways that truck accident lawyers help their clients.

Sense of Direction

To the untrained eye, the law may seem impenetrable; it’s filled with vagaries, abstractions, and arcane terminology. It may be impossible to determine the value of your case, your likelihood of success, or even whether you have a case at all. In fact, the accident may leave you with more questions than answers.

Meeting with an experienced truck accident lawyer is the quickest way to alleviate your confusion. They can analyze the facts of your case, interpret the law, and present you with a list of options. If you decide to pursue legal action, they can commence developing a legal strategy and begin a fact-finding investigation right away.

A lawyer’s role as a “counselor” goes beyond the cold interpretation of legal terms. A lawyer is a voice of reason and an empathetic figure; you should always feel comfortable confiding your concerns and worries with your legal representation.

Lawyers are taught early on that each client is unique and has their own, personal objectives. The foundation of any attorney-client relationship is built on effective communication and a willingness to listen.

Investigation

As touched upon in the previous section, a truck accident lawyer can launch an investigation into what caused the accident and who was responsible.

Lawyers usually build successful truck accident cases around the evidence uncovered by these investigations. A complex investigation may require significant resources and manpower. Extensive discovery is often necessary, as our witness interviews and forensic analysis. The attorney oversees the investigation and gives it a sense of focus and direction.

Non-attorneys can gain access to files and review potential evidence with the permission of the court. It takes an experienced professional, however, to know what’s worth investigating and what has value in a particular truck accident lawsuit.

Insurance Companies

Having insurance gives you peace of mind—until your provider decides not to hold up its end of the bargain. Unfortunately, insurance companies tend to find convenient loopholes to avoid covering the full cost of your accident. And, to be sure, wrangling over insurance payments is the last thing you need after a serious truck accident.

This is when having a truck accident lawyer by your side is a huge help. Truck accident lawyers can tell whether you’re getting a fair shake, or if your provider needs extra motivation to pay you what you’re actually owed. A lawyer has experience negotiating with insurance companies and, if necessary, can even file suit to compel payment.

It’s widely accepted that having legal representation during an insurance dispute often leads to a greater payout; in fact, even the insurance industry agrees.

Higher Settlement

Sometimes the party responsible for a truck accident offers a reasonable settlement just to make the situation go away; other times, they make a low-ball offer and fight over every penny.

Either way, you should always have a truck accident lawyer review a settlement offer before you accept it. They have likely handled hundreds of settlements and will know, based on the facts of your case, whether an offer is fair. In fact, just a lawyer’s presence often equals a higher settlement; it’s a signal to the opposing party that you mean business.

Relatedly, if settlement negotiations reach an impasse, your lawyer is already familiar with the details of your case and can proceed to litigation immediately.

In one recent year, 12 percent of all passenger vehicle occupant deaths in the U.S. occurred in accidents involving large trucks. A truck accident is often a traumatic, life-changing experience. In such dire circumstances, concerns about your future, and that of your family, are at the forefront of your mind.

It’s important to know that you don’t have to fight this battle by yourself. The law creates rights for those wrongfully injured in a truck accident. An experienced truck accident lawyer can help you obtain the compensation that you need and deserve. The first step is setting up an initial consultation where the lawyer can review the facts of your case and provide you with options.

If you think you may file a lawsuit, it’s important to start preparing right away. Truck accident lawsuits are often complex and require extensive investigation. Furthermore, jurisdictions impose statutes of limitations that restrict the time you have to pursue your claim. Failing to promptly file suit could mean forfeiting your right to legal recourse.

Remember, a truck accident lawyer is much more than a brain and a suit. They provide value in a multitude of ways, even if you decide not to pursue litigation. They can negotiate with your insurance company, oversee negotiations with opposing parties, execute a thorough investigation if necessary, and provide a thoughtful, empathetic, and informed voice during a time of extreme duress.

for more information about your initial consultation read our “what to expect from truck accident consultation” blog.