Do You Need a Lawyer After a Semi Truck Accident?
About 6% of auto accidents result in a fatality. Another 27% cause non-fatal injuries, while 72% cause property damage. Meanwhile, about 6 million accidents occur every year. If you were recently involved in a semi-truck accident, you likely sustained serious injuries and costly damages. Without help, these costs could start to pile up. You might even find yourself out of work while you heal as well.
Don’t let expenses from the accident cause you unnecessary stress. Instead, consider hiring a semi-truck accident lawyer. They can help fight for the compensation you deserve. Not sure if you need to hire an attorney for your case? Here are six signs you should call for help right away.
If these situations sound familiar, consider calling an attorney to work on your case. They’ll ensure you receive the compensation you need to cover your losses. Discover the top signs you should hire an attorney with this guide today.
1. You’re Not at Fault
Take a moment to consider what happened just moments before the crash. What were you doing before your semi-truck accident?
If you’re on the fence about filing a semi-truck accident lawsuit, try to determine who was at fault. If the truck driver caused the crash, you could have a case.
There are many different reasons truck drivers cause accidents. Potential factors that might have led to your crash include:
- Road rage or aggressive driving
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Distracted driving (including texting and driving)
- Falling asleep at the wheel
If you weren’t at fault for the crash, consider contacting a semi-truck accident attorney right away. They’ll gather the necessary evidence to prove the truck driver was at fault.
It’s important not to wait too long to call a lawyer. Otherwise, your attorney might struggle to gather the evidence necessary to build your case.
Without an attorney, the other driver’s insurance company might try to blame you for the crash. Hiring an attorney will protect your best interests. Your lawyer will gather the evidence needed to prove the other driver was negligent.
If their negligence caused the crash, you could fight for compensation.
2. Other Parties Were Involved
Sometimes, a crash involves multiple parties. Even if the truck driver caused the accident, other factors might have led to the crash.
For example, there’s a chance the truck driver fell asleep behind the wheel. How long have they been on the job? Perhaps the trucking company forced the driver to stay on the road longer than legally permitted.
In these cases, the trucking company is also liable for the crash.
The trucking company is also responsible for completing a thorough background check before hiring drivers. What if the trucking company didn’t complete a background check? There’s a chance they’re unaware that the driver has a history of crashes.
Perhaps the driver has a history of alcohol and drug abuse, too.
If the trucking company hired the driver without reviewing their history, you could sue the trucking company.
Make sure to talk to a semi-truck accident lawyer. They can gather evidence to determine if additional parties were at fault. With their help, you can hold anyone responsible for the crash liable.
3. You Suffered Injuries
About 20 to 50 million people suffer non-fatal injuries as a result of road crashes every year. Many people develop long-term disabilities as a result.
Another 1.35 million people die as a result of crashes as well.
If you survived a crash with a semi-truck, there’s a chance you sustained serious injuries. About 4.4 million people are injured seriously enough to require medical attention each year. Road crashes cost the US over $380 million in direct medical costs annually.
If you suffered serious injuries after a semi-truck crash, call an attorney right away.
Make sure you visit a doctor immediately after the crash. Get a medical professional’s full assessment. Then, ask them for a copy of their report.
Continue receiving treatments after your initial appointment, too. Otherwise, the other driver’s insurance company might argue a gap in treatment. They might say your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim.
Keep track of your appointments, medications, treatments, and surgeries. Your attorney will use this information when building your case. They’ll use your medical bills when calculating your losses, too.
A semi-truck accident attorney might call a medical expert when building your case. They can prove how you sustained your injuries.
They might discuss how your injuries have impacted your quality of life, too.
With an experienced lawyer at your side, you won’t have to cover the cost of your medical bills alone.
4. Costly Damages
What happened to your car as a result of the crash? Remember, about 72% of crashes result in property damage. You shouldn’t have to pay for repairs to your car out-of-pocket.
If you’re trying to handle serious property damages, talk to an attorney. Make sure to gather any receipts that are related to the crash.
Your lawyer will add the cost of repairs to your losses. With their help, you can receive the full amount of compensation you deserve.
5. You’re Not Sure What to Do
It’s normal to feel disoriented after a road accident. In some cases, you might not feel sure of what to do after a crash.
Consider scheduling a consultation appointment with an experienced semi-truck lawyer. They can help you review your options. With their help, you can make an informed decision before that statute of limitations lapses.
6. The Insurance Company Won’t Pay
The truck driver’s insurance company will want to pay you as little as possible. They might stall paying for as long as possible, too.
Don’t try to deal with the insurance company on your own. They might use something you say against you.
Instead, let your lawyer handle these negotiations. They’ll make sure the insurance company can’t stall.
State Your Case: 6 Reasons to Hire a Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Right Away
Don’t try to handle the consequences of a semi-truck accident on your own. After all, you’re likely still recovering from the crash. Instead, consider these reasons to hire an experienced attorney.
With an experienced lawyer at your side, you can fight for the compensation you deserve.
Want to review your legal options with a qualified attorney? We can help.
Contact our team today to get started.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.RHINO.77.
