Truck accidents can cause catastrophic injuries, especially for those riding in smaller passenger vehicles. If you or a loved one are severely injured, you could have expensive medical bills or miss weeks or months of work—if you can return to work at all.
To recover compensation, you must file an injury claim. Perhaps one of the best reasons you must have an experienced truck accident lawyer on your side is that they can help you get maximum compensation.
How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help?
A truck accident lawyer can help your case tremendously if you’re facing significant medical expenses and other losses due to your accident. As soon as an attorney takes your case, they can immediately speak to the insurance company on your behalf—so you can focus more on your recovery.
The reasons you must have an experienced truck accident lawyer on your side include:
- Investigating the accident
- Identifying your recoverable damages
- Negotiating with opposing attorneys
A Lawyer Can Investigate the Accident
After a truck accident, there might be issues with liability. An attorney can investigate the accident to identify the liable party (or parties) and build a case against them. For example, the investigation may include:
- Reviewing the police report and statements made by everyone involved in the accident
- Looking at evidence collected by the police and others (such as photographs of injuries, surveillance camera footage, and more)
- Identifying and contacting any eyewitnesses who can help corroborate your version of events
An experienced attorney knows how to take the information received during an investigation to build a strong case against the liable party.
A Lawyer Can Identify Your Recoverable Damages
Identifying recoverable damages is essential to determining how much compensation you should seek in your claim. An experienced attorney knows the types of damages you could sustain in a truck accident and can help you identify the losses you incurred. Recoverable damages after a truck accident could include:
- Medical bills – The money you paid for medical treatment
- Lost income – The money you lost if you had to miss work while recovering from your injuries
- Pain and suffering – The physical pain caused by your injuries
- Emotional distress – The anxiety, fear, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep issues, or any other negative psychological impacts caused by your injuries
You could also recover compensation for future damages if your injuries will likely require you to continue seeking medical treatment or miss additional work. An attorney can calculate your damages to include any future losses.
If your loved one passed away, surviving family members could recover damages on their behalf. An attorney can help surviving family members determine if they’re eligible to recover compensation on behalf of their loved one. Examples of wrongful death damages include final medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, loss of consortium, and more.
A Lawyer Can Negotiate With Opposing Attorneys
To have successful negotiations during the claims process, it’s always best to work with someone with experience. You want a truck accident attorney who has handled many negotiation proceedings before and knows the best tactics to reach a fair settlement.
If your attorney cannot reach a settlement on your behalf, they can take the necessary steps to file a lawsuit and fight for you in court.
A Truck Accident Attorney Can Make Sure You Don’t Miss Any Legal Deadlines
When you get injured in a truck accident, the state where the accident occurred likely limits how long you have to file a lawsuit. For instance, in Ohio, people who sustain injuries must file a lawsuit within two years from the date of the accident.
If your loved one passed away from their injuries, you could file a wrongful death claim against the liable party. Again, you generally have two years from the date of your loved one’s death to file a lawsuit. An experienced attorney can ensure that you don’t miss out on your opportunity to recover compensation.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer Today
After a truck accident, it’s never easy to navigate the legal claims process on your own. With an experienced truck accident lawyer on your side, you can take the proper steps to recover compensation and recoup your losses. At The Fitch Law Firm LLC, we have handled many truck accident cases, and we’re ready to guide you every step of the way.
Contact us today for a free consultation, so our team can listen to your story and learn how your truck accident injuries have affected your life. During this meeting, we’ll also answer your questions and discuss your legal options. Our attorneys offer compassionate legal support while fighting for the best possible outcome for you.