The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that almost 120,000 truck accidents involving serious injuries take place every year. The agency has also found that over 400,000 truck crashes involving property damage occur annually. These startling statistics suggest there could come a time when you need to hire a truck accident lawyer.
Truck accidents are often more complex than regular car accidents. They tend to include more injuries and property damage, and because of this, they can cost more money. FMCSA studies have shown that the average truck accident incurs a cost of just under $150,000 — and a truck accident can easily top the $1 million mark if several vehicles are involved and multiple serious injuries and extensive property damage are sustained.
So, how can a truck accident lawyer help when you’re involved in an accident with a large truck? Look at our guide below to learn what they can do for you.
Launching a Truck Accident Investigation
In the immediate aftermath of a truck accident, the local police department and numerous state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, will usually send investigators out to the scene. There are complex regulations that govern the trucking industry, and these investigators will comb every square inch of the scene to see whether a truck driver may have broken any of these rules.
Still, that won’t stop a truck accident lawyer from launching an independent investigation into what happened before, during, and after a crash involving a large truck. They have experience investigating these types of accidents and can uncover evidence on behalf of a driver who sustained serious injuries or property damage during a crash with a truck.
Contact our team today so we can fight to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Determining Fault in a Truck Accident
“Who was ultimately responsible for a truck accident?” is one of the key questions a truck accident lawyer will attempt to answer. Determining liability in a truck accident case is tricky, though, since several different entities could take on some or all of the blame as the causes of truck accidents.
Over the years, FMCSA studies have insinuated truck driver error is to blame for between 80 and 90% of these accidents. However, one thing that complicates truck accident cases is that those who weren’t even involved in them could also be partially responsible.
For example, a trucking company could be partially at fault for a truck accident if a lawyer can prove that it didn’t do enough to train a driver involved in a crash. A company that manufactures truck parts could also be at fault if a truck accident attorney discovers that a faulty part caused a crash.
There is even a small chance that a cargo-loading company could take on some blame for a truck accident if a big rig wasn’t loaded properly prior to being in an accident. An attorney who has the requisite experience within the trucking industry can help pinpoint the cause of a truck crash and work to determine fault to create a more compelling case for a client.
Conducting Negotiations With a Defendant
The average truck accident case can drag out for months and sometimes even years while working its way through the legal system. If you aren’t interested in spending this much time trying to earn a judgment in court, attempting to work out a settlement deal with the defendant in your case is a much better idea.
More often than not, a defendant’s insurance company will provide their client with legal representation. You can have a truck accident lawyer participate in the insurance negotiation process to see if the two sides can reach a fair settlement agreement that both parties feel comfortable with.
The duration of truck accident settlement negotiations will depend on everything from a defendant’s role in a crash to the severity of the injuries you suffered during an accident. However, negotiating a settlement in a truck accident case is typically a much quicker process than taking your case to court.
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Creating a Truck Accident Case and Taking It to Trial
If the defendant in your truck accident case isn’t willing to budge during settlement negotiations and provide fair compensation, you’ll have no choice but to take your case to trial. Your truck accident lawyer can create a trial-ready case and present it in front of a judge or jury.
During your truck crash case, your lawyer can present evidence that highlights:
- What happened during your truck accident
- Who was responsible for your truck crash
- How much your truck accident cost you (and how much it could cost you in the future, if applicable)
- What amount of money you feel a defendant should give you to make things right
Your lawyer can also respond to any claims that legal representatives for the defendant might make in court. If, for instance, a defendant’s lawyer tries to argue that you were speeding, distracted, or fatigued at the time of your accident, your lawyer can work to disprove these allegations and increase your chances of winning your case.
Additionally, your truck accident attorney can answer any questions you may have throughout your legal proceedings and address any concerns that might come up. Filing a truck accident lawsuit can cause stress as you’ll have to relive your crash over and over again. Having a reputable lawyer by your side can make it more manageable.
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Let Accident Hotline Help You Find the Right Truck Accident Lawyer
Whether you live in a large state like California or Texas that has thousands of truck accidents each year or you spend your fair share of time driving through smaller states like Rhode Island and Delaware that only have dozens of annual truck accidents, Accident Hotline can help you locate a truck accident lawyer. Our nationwide network of truck accident attorneys can provide 24/7 consultations and discuss your personal injury case so you can decide whether you want to take legal action. Touch base with us today to search for the right attorney in your state.
For a free consultation, call 888-340-7454
