Big Truck Accidents

Here are some must-dos after a truck accident:

• Move your vehicle out of the way. If you are unable to do so, leave your hazard lights on and move to a safe spot
• Make sure your passengers are safe
• If you suspect a head or spinal injury, stay still. Wait patiently for help to arrive
• Call the police immediately
• Talk to eyewitnesses. Note their contact information
• Do not panic. Calm your nerves before speaking
• Take photographs
• Seek medical help immediately

There are several benefits of hiring a truck accident lawyer. A truck accident attorney understands the laws and regulations that govern these specific accidents. Your attorney will help you calculate the value of your case and decide whether you should accept a settlement offer. They will help you determine who is at fault. The professional will investigate your case, collect evidence (or hire an investigation agency to collect evidence), and interview eyewitnesses. The professional will handle complex negotiations and leverage their expertise to keep disputes out of court and maximize compensation.

Truck accident lawyers usually utilize a contingency fee agreement. With a contingency fee agreement, your lawyer will only get paid if you recover compensation. Contingency fees typically range from 25 to 40 percent of the total recovery.

Make sure your truck accident attorney has experience in handling cases similar to yours (truck accident claims). Check the professional’s success rate. When researching law firms online, remember to check reviews. Select a lawyer/law firm with a focused practice. Make sure your attorney has the necessary resources. Work with a lawyer who works on a contingency fee basis.

You can sue a trucking company if you have enough evidence to prove that the accident was caused due to the company’s failure to fulfill their duties. A trucking company may be held liable for a truck accident if maintenance issues caused the crash, or the driver was forced to work long hours, or did not have adequate experience.

Every state has laws that limit the amount of time personal injury victims have in order to seek compensation. They range from a year to six years after the injury. Georgia Statutes of Limitations gives personal injury victims two years from the date of injury to file their lawsuit. Once this period expires, you lose your right to file a lawsuit. Courts grant extension in rare, specific situations. If, for instance, a personal injury victim was incapacitated due to the accident and was unable to file a claim, the court may adopt a lenient approach and extend the deadline for filing a claim.

Your lawyer will help you decide whether you should accept a settlement offer. When determining whether a settlement offer is fair, your lawyer will seek answers to these questions:

• Does the settlement offer take past and future medical expenses into account?
• What is the long-term outlook for your injuries? Will they ever heal completely?
• Does the compensation cover lost wages and loss of future earning potential?
• Will you need any surgeries or special equipment? If yes, does the compensation include these costs?

In addition to the truck driver, several other parties such as the carrier, manufacturer, cargo owner, (state and federal) government agencies responsible for highway design and maintenance can be held liable for a truck accident.

If you have been injured in a truck accident, you can claim compensation for:

• Lost wages
• Past and future medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage

How long a truck accident case takes to settle will depend on its complexity.