If you or your loved one has suffered a terrible injury due to a truck accident, you will most probably be in great pain and confused about what you should do next.
You need to hire a truck accident lawyer right away because they can help you identify the party at fault, collect evidence and witnesses, negotiate deals and take the case to trial to get you the compensation you deserve.
The truck accident lawyer will take care of everything so that you can focus on healing and taking care of your loved ones that were injured due to the accident.
What can a personal injury lawyer do for you?
Getting into a truck collision is a traumatic event that affects you physically, emotionally, and financially.
However, you do not have to go through it alone. Personal injury lawyers can take some burden off your shoulders by taking your case to court and getting you the compensation you deserve.
The compensation will cover your financial losses such as medical bills, transport bills, and hospital and therapy session bills. There are many things a Queens truck accident lawyer can do for you, including:
1. Determine liability of the accident
Truck accidents are far more complicated than other vehicle collisions and crashes because, in a truck accident, the truck driver isn’t the only one to blame.
There is more than one party responsible that needs to be held accountable for your loss and injuries. Potential defendants in a truck accident include the truck company, the truck manufacturing company, insurance companies, shipping companies, and government institutions.
The truck accident lawyer will identify all the parties liable in your case and hold them accountable by filing a lawsuit against them.
2. Build your case
The truck accident lawyer will build you a compelling case to present in court and take care of all legal matters so that you can focus on healing and recovering. They will also:
· Collect all required evidence such as police reports, photos, videos, data on the truck driver, eyewitnesses, expert testimonies, surveillance camera videos, and much more.
· Gather all documents and compile your bills related to your injury.
· Identify all liable parties and issue them a lawsuit
· Negotiate with the parties at fault and the insurance companies to get you a fair settlement
· Take the case to trial if required and get you the compensation you deserve
3. Prove your truck accident case
You and your lawyer know that you are not at fault. But this has to be proved in court or in your insurance claim. If injured, you need to prove 4 basic things:
· The truck driver had the duty to drive safely and reasonably
· The truck driver violated or breached this duty
· The breach in duty resulted in injury to you or your loved ones
· You or your loved ones sustained injuries due to the accident
There are two types of damages you may incur; economic and non-economical. Economic damages include all your expenses and bills related to your injuries, such as hospital bills, visits to the doctor, transport bills, and property damage.
Non-economical damages include those that cannot be recovered by money, such as your pain and suffering, mental trauma, change in the quality of life, and loss of enjoyment in activities you previously enjoyed.
What are the causes of truck accidents?
There are many causes of truck accidents, but when a huge truck gets in a collision with a car, motorcycle, pedestrian, or truck, it leads to severe injuries and damages.
If the truck becomes out of control, then its huge size and weight become a mass destruction weapon causing havoc and mass destruction.
The most common reason for truck accidents of negligence and reckless driving on behalf of the truck driver. But there are many other reasons, including and not limited to:
· Aggressive driving
· Careless driving
· Driving while sleepy
· Impaired driving
· Driver fatigue due to long hour shifts
· Poor weather conditions
· Poor road conditions
· Manufacturing faults
· Overloaded trucks or unsecured cargo
· Distracted driving
Because of the huge size and weight of the truck, the injuries caused by a truck accident are devastating and can even cause paralysis.
This is why you need to contact a skilled and experienced truck accident lawyer like those at The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C., right away. They will represent you and help you get the compensation you deserve to cover all your financial losses. Truck accidents are complex, and handling them on your own is never a good idea.
What to look for when finding a truck accident lawyer
1. Work experience
You should go for a lawyer who has sufficient experience in dealing with truck accidents. The injuries and damages done by truck accidents are far worse and more complex than car accidents which are why you need an attorney who has experience in dealing with truck accidents.
Due to their heavy weight and huge size, trucks pose a threat and hazard to other vehicles and pedestrians. In most truck accident cases, there may be more than one party involved, including the truck driver, manufacturer, insurance companies, and maintenance facility owners.
Ask the lawyer about their education and past record. You should know how many cases they have taken up and how many have been successful.
2. Lawyer fee and payment method
Most lawyers charge their clients on a contingency fee basis which means that the lawyer gets a specified percentage of the amount of settlement you receive. While others charge their clients on an hourly basis.
Those charging on a contingency basis usually take up to 33% of the settlement amount, but it might be higher depending upon whether the case goes to trial or not.
If the lawyer is unable to get you any compensation, you won’t owe them any legal fee. However, you will be responsible for out-of-pocket costs such as expert witness fees, court filing fees, and copying costs.
In the majority of the cases, these costs are cut from the money you recover at the end of the trial. There are many different payment methods and options available, so it is a good idea to discuss them with your lawyer before you sign the final agreement.
3. Availability and compatibility
It is important that your lawyer is available whenever you want to contact them. You should choose a lawyer who you are comfortable with as you will be dealing with them for many months.
The lawyer will have excess to your personal information, and you will have to share everything with them, which is why it is important that you select a lawyer who you trust and are comfortable around. When you visit the different lawyers, see which lawyer you are most comfortable with.
4. Trial experience
You should go with an attorney who has past trial experience. Some lawyers focus on getting a settlement offer from the insurance company even if it is not in your best interest because this requires the least amount of work.
You need to get a lawyer who is ready to put in his blood and sweat for you and is willing to use all resources to get what you truly deserve. The lawyer should also have experience in going to trial and winning in the courtroom.
5. Good communication skills
You should be well aware of what is happening and have a sound understanding of the case’s progress. Lawyers who use attorney jargon and do not simplify the language may not be ideal for you. The attorney should be a good communicator and should have good communication skills.
The bottom line
Getting in a truck accident is a very tough and difficult time. Truck accidents are complex cases that need to be handled by proper legal representatives. Lawyers can lessen your burden and ease the process for you while you focus on recovering. It is not a good idea to handle the case on your own. Contact a skilled and experienced lawyer immediately and leave the legal work to them.