In the event of a legal case, your attorney must aid you in collecting evidence. This will entail capturing images of the accident scene, all injuries incurred, and any damages inflicted on your vehicle or other possessions.
Furthermore, they must acquire the “black box” information from the truck, which can offer valuable insight into their braking patterns and velocity. You should only sign documents or give detailed statements to the insurance company once you consult your attorney.
A qualified attorney will handle all communications with the insurer on your behalf.
Gathering Evidence
A truck accident lawyer specializes in tort law (private rights of action for wrongdoing). Truck crash injury victims often have more detailed and extensive evidence to present than ordinary auto collision claimants.
Accordingly, they can demand higher settlement awards or verdicts. Your Dallas truck accident lawyer will help you to gather and document all the relevant evidence for your case. This will include the police accident report, photos or videos of the scene, bills/invoices/receipts for expenses related to the accident, pay stubs/income statements, and medical records.
Additionally, your truck crash attorney will work with an expert to determine the cause of the accident. Various types of evidence may be used to identify faults, such as shipping records or bills of lading, witness statements, driver testimonies, and more. The expert’s opinion of a fault will help to establish your damages.
Compensatory damages reimburse the victim for their losses, whereas punitive damages are aimed at punishing the at-fault party and discouraging any future similar conduct.
Listening to them is going to pave the path to Understanding Penalties for FMCSA Rule Violations and how they impact both the at-fault party and the victim. This knowledge can help victims seek appropriate damages and hold the responsible parties accountable for any regulatory breaches.
Identifying the At-Fault Party
When a truck crashes into your vehicle, it is often accompanied by severe property damage and bodily injury. A good truck accident lawyer will carefully examine all the evidence to determine who was at fault. They will examine witness testimony, street or dash cam footage, and cell phone logs.
This is especially important because trucking companies and their representatives will do everything possible to undercut your claim. If a truck driver caused your crash due to their reckless or intoxicated driving, they may be liable for your injuries. However, it is also possible that other parties are liable as well.
For example, if the truck driver was driving for their employer and they violated company safety policies, the employer might be held liable under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior. In addition, if a design or manufacturing defect contributed to your crash, the manufacturer could also be held liable.
Negotiating with the Insurance Company
If you have suffered injuries in an accident, insurance companies may try to contact you for questioning or additional information. You are strongly advised to only speak to them if your lawyer is present. Your responses could be used against you in court or to decrease your settlement offer.
A truck accident lawyer is fully equipped to manage all interactions with insurance companies and will represent you. They will thoroughly assess your insurance policy to identify who is responsible for the accident and ensure that any settlement offer adequately compensates you for your damages. These damages may include medical bills, prescription costs, rehabilitation fees, lost wages, and other relevant expenses.
Your attorney shall collaborate closely with your healthcare providers to evaluate the full extent of your losses and ensure that you receive a just resolution that fully compensates for your damages. They can also hold multiple parties accountable for your harm under the joint and several liability principles.
Filing a Claim
If the at-fault party owes you financial damages, your attorney can file a lawsuit against them. The claim should include your documentation and evidence. This could include medical bills, any other losses you have experienced due to the accident, property damage, and pain and suffering.
The at-fault party may also be subject to punitive damages designed to punish the party for their negligent actions and deter similar truck accident lawyer can help you build a strong case and negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement while you heal and recover.
There is much information to gather, and time restrictions apply, so it’s essential to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.
