Truck accidents can cause severe injuries and have a lasting impact on the victim’s quality of life. a truck accident attorney for representation for truck accident cases can help victims recover compensation for their medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering.
Victims can seek damages from the parties responsible for the crash by filing a personal injury claim. However, this is often difficult, especially when insurance companies fight over liability.
1. Hire a Lawyer as Soon as Possible
The most important step in pursuing compensation is connecting with an attorney. Trucking companies and their insurance carriers are notorious for trying to trick victims into settling for ridiculous amounts. Having an experienced New York City personal injury lawyer on your side early can help you level the playing field.
Choose a lawyer who has experience litigating truck accident cases in court. They should also have a significant number of settlements and verdicts in these types of cases. You should also choose a firm that charges a contingency fee. This arrangement shows that they are confident in their abilities to win your case.
If you have a loved one who has died in a collision with a large commercial truck, you may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. This type of claim seeks compensation for your loss and helps you move on from the tragedy. It can cover medical expenses, funeral costs, pain and suffering, lost income, and other damages.
2. Take Down Witness Statements
It’s important to always look around you at the scene of a crash for witnesses that may have witnessed what happened. Witness statements can provide a great deal of clarity to attorneys, juries and judges in regards to what exactly took place at the time of the accident. They can also discredit claims made by the at-fault driver regarding injuries and can highlight any inconsistencies in their version of events.
When a person writes a statement, it is important that they only include facts and not opinions. Any guesses, arguments or feelings about the outcome of the case should be avoided as they can taint their testimony at trial. Having a written witness statement can also be very beneficial in the event that a witness changes their testimony at trial. A prior written statement can serve as a cross-examination point against that witness at trial. This can save valuable time and money in a truck accident case.
3. Don’t Talk to the At-Fault Party’s Insurance Company
It is common for insurance adjusters to call victims of truck accidents, requesting recorded statements about what happened. This is one of the ways that they can undermine your case and make it seem like you were at fault for the accident.
Do not speak to any insurance adjusters until you have a lawyer by your side. Your attorney will know how to deal with them and can get a fair settlement for your losses.
Truck accidents often involve large damages, including medical bills and lost wages. It is also important to consider noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering, when seeking compensation.
An experienced truck accident attorney can ensure that all potentially liable parties are held accountable for your losses. This can include the truck driver, their company, the loading company, and the manufacturer of the truck or a component part. It can also include the government if it failed to properly mark construction zones on the road.
4. Talk to a Lawyer About Your Case
If you have been in a collision with a truck, you should always talk to an experienced personal injury attorney about your case. They can help you determine if there are any legal options that will give you the best chance to secure compensation for your economic and noneconomic damages.
You should call ahead to make an appointment, as most attorneys will not accept walk-ins. This is to ensure that you can get adequate time to consider all of the options your lawyer presents you with.
A seasoned New York truck accident lawyer will understand the tactics that insurance companies use to try to lower the value of your claim or even deny it altogether. They can also help you avoid making any statements that could be used against your claim in court. Thankfully, communications with your attorney are protected by attorney-client privilege. This means that you can discuss everything honestly with your attorney without fear of the liable party finding out any information that will hurt your case.
