Having a Truck Accident Lawyer by Your Side Matters
Semi trucks are an integral, indispensable part of our economy; they, quite literally, keep commerce moving. In fact, in 2018, 68 percent of all goods were delivered via semi truck. Without them, society would come to a standstill.
However, there is a cost to having so many large vehicles on the road. Large trucks are simply more prone to accidents than smaller vehicles, and large truck accidents are more likely to be severe. Every year, thousands of car accidents involve semi trucks. In 2018 alone there were over 100,000 injury-causing car accidents involving large trucks. That same year over 4,000 people died in large truck accidents.
Semi trucks are more accident-prone for a few different reasons. They are more prone to sliding and skidding, in addition to being more vulnerable to mishaps made worse by ice, rain, and other sorts of inclement weather. Furthermore, once a driver loses control of his rig it is very difficult to regain control.
Semi trucks are also far larger than most cars, which translates to more destruction. They are also likely to strike more than one car due to their tendency to spin and slide back forth in a crash.
For many semi truck accident survivors, life will never be the same. They may sustain permanent disabilities and can’t continue working. The circumstances are often dire for the victim and their family.
For many victims, pursuing legal action against the responsible party is the quickest way back to normal. A successful truck accident lawsuit may result in a significant financial award, which may be the difference between sinking and swimming for the victim and their dependents.
Of course, the process of filing and litigating a lawsuit isn’t so straightforward. The law is vague, the court rules are byzantine, and the judges are mercurial. A truck accident lawyer must navigate the process.
Just the word “lawyer” is intimidating for some people—images of dizzying legal bills are brought to mind. However, truck accident lawyers add value in many different ways for their clients. In fact, they are an indispensable component of any successful truck accident lawsuit.
If you were injured in a truck accident, here are some reasons why you should have a truck accident lawyer by your side.
Expect More, Receive More: Legal Support That Feels Like Family
Lawyer as Counselor
Lawyers are perceived as professionals in fancy suits who spend their time interpreting antiquated legal doctrines. But a lawyer, at least a good lawyer, is so much more. A lawyer serves as counsel for his clients. This goes beyond drafting briefs and filing paperwork, to include providing candid and honest advice. It means helping the client weigh options and chart a path forward. A lawyer should be a source of stability and comfort in the most difficult of circumstances.
Investigations
Truck accidents may have multiple causes, there may be multiple parties involved, multiple people may have witnessed the accident; clearly, truck accident lawsuits are complex. Managing a truck accident investigation requires experience and acumen. The often intricate discovery process involves interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence.
Additionally, if the accident is severe enough, government agencies could be involved. A seasoned truck accident lawyer can conduct an investigation effectively and efficiently, digging up the evidence necessary to build the strongest possible case for his client.
Settlement Negotiations
Most truck accident lawsuits never make it to trial, rather, the parties usually settle out of court. Settlement negotiations are often lengthy and contentious. The injured is more likely to receive a better offer if he has a lawyer by his side.
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Insurance Disputes
Having insurance gives us peace of mind. We know that if we get into an accident, our insurance company will help cover the cost of the accident. Unfortunately, sometimes it doesn’t work this way in practice.
To maximize profits, insurance companies aim to take in as much from premiums as possible while minimizing the amount they pay out in claims. To achieve this, they are quick to find loopholes to escape paying the full amount of a claim or to avoid paying out any money at all.
Unfortunately, many policyholders simply cannot identify a reasonable offer from an insurance company, or do not know they can contest an offer. A truck accident lawyer knows when a policyholder is being treated unfairly and can negotiate a better outcome for their client.
Litigation
Not all cases settle, in which case going to court may become necessary. An experienced truck accident lawyer has experience litigating many varieties of truck accident lawsuits and has intimate knowledge of the civil process—from the initial filing, to hearings, to trial.
Additionally, lawyers can identify the most pertinent evidence and present their client’s case to the court in the most compelling manner, increasing the likelihood of success and maximizing the client’s financial award.
A serious truck accident can change a person’s life forever; permanent disability, medical debt, and job loss may be part of a new, dire reality.
However, victims should know that they don’t have to suffer in silence. The law gives those injured in a truck accident the right to seek compensation for their injuries and losses.
If a truck accident lawsuit is successful, the plaintiff may receive a considerable financial award as compensation. This relief can stabilize an otherwise unpredictable situation and accelerate the process back to normal.
Meeting with an experienced truck accident lawyer is the first step in the process. Lawyers can assist their clients beyond arguing in court, such as negotiating with an insurance company or the opposing party, conducting an extensive investigation, or simply providing candid advice and sound judgment during a strenuous time.
Even if a lawsuit doesn’t seem like a possibility, victims shouldn’t hesitate to meet with a truck accident lawyer. Many jurisdictions impose a two-year statute of limitations on truck accident lawsuits, which means that if the lawsuit isn’t promptly filed, then the injured party may forfeit the right to sue for damages. Act now to protect your legal rights by contacting a skilled, experienced truck accident lawyer for a free case consultation.
Call or text (239) 334-3933 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form