After a truck accident, many victims decide to file civil lawsuits against the truck driver and other liable parties. They face substantial bills that they cannot deal with on their own. Taking legal action against the truck driver allows them to collect financial compensation.
While you will find many lawyers who handle truck accident cases, not all those lawyers are the same. You find a good truck accident lawyer by vetting several lawyers and getting to know how they work. Once you gain an understanding of your case and how your lawyer can facilitate it, you should be able to find the right lawyer for you.
What to Look for in a Good Truck Accident Lawyer
When looking for a good truck accident lawyer to handle your case, you want to find someone who has experience litigating this subset of motor vehicle crashes and a track record of getting results for their clients. However, you also want to find someone with whom you have a connection. Your attorney will advocate for you with insurance adjusters, opposing counsel, and perhaps a judge and jury. You want a personal injury lawyer with whom you are comfortable discussing personal matters and can trust to fight on your behalf.
Lost Wages and Other Expenses
Recovering from a truck accident can take more time than most people think. It largely depends on the extent of your injuries and the care that you receive during your recovery. If you have an injury that makes it impossible to work, that adds to the stress you feel after a crash.
If you’re like most people, you live paycheck-to-paycheck, which means missing work will profoundly impact your finances. Fortunately, you can claim compensation for lost income in your lawsuit. While it might not provide immediate relief, it could eventually help you replenish your savings or dig out of debt.
Settlement vs. Trial
Filing a civil lawsuit means that you could go to trial. A trial gives you a final decision on your case, but there are other ways of settling your dispute. For example, you could accept a settlement agreement from the other party.
You can negotiate an agreement that offers enough compensation for your expenses while also ending your case quickly. If you recover compensation quickly enough, you could repair your finances and get your life back on track sooner.
If you think a settlement agreement is a good option, you could work with a lawyer to negotiate terms. Many early agreement offers do not include enough compensation to account for all your expenses, both current and future. Fortunately, you do not have to accept any settlement; you can continue negotiating or wait to go to trial.
Statute of Limitations
Every state sets a statute of limitations for lawsuits to ensure that victims take legal action in a reasonable time frame. A statute of limitations is a legal time limit for how long you have to file a lawsuit after an incident. It usually starts the day of the accident with few exceptions.
The statute of limitations on personal injury cases ranges from one year to six years, depending on your state. If you do not file the lawsuit on time, the court might reject it. An attorney needs time to build your case, but most victims don’t hire a lawyer to represent them until months into the statutory period. You might want to consult a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible, so the deadline doesn’t expire on you.
Possibly Recoverable Compensation
Your lawsuit can help you recover compensation from the other party. You can claim just about anything in the lawsuit if you can prove that the expense relates directly to your accident. The most common types of compensation that you claim are:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
Property damage covers any property damaged or destroyed in the accident, including not just your vehicle but also children’s car seats, cell phones, laptops, purses, and anything else in your car. Small nuances in the process like this one can make a big difference in your case’s outcome. You can discuss your possible claims with a truck accident attorney to ensure that you account for all your damages.
Reasons to Hire a Lawyer
You might find it in your best interest to hire a lawyer to handle your accident case. There are many subtleties to building a case, especially in truck accidents. Because trucking companies own and operate most large commercial trucks, they might share in the liability for the accident. You will need to investigate company records and practices, such as failing to abide by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) guidelines on post-accident testing, to determine their liability for the crash. An attorney can research and compile the evidence needed to win your case.
Speak to a Lawyer About Your Case
Dealing with the fallout from a truck accident can become difficult without help. Fortunately, you can find many good truck accident lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to call upon for assistance. Call us today at (800) 223-5115 for a free case review with a team member.