Maryland Truck Accident Lawyer will build an airtight case to maximize your compensation. This involves identifying every party that could be liable, including the truck driver, trucking company, and freight brokers.
The evidence gathered will include not only medical records and bills, but also non-monetary damages like pain and suffering and reduced quality of life. These are often based on a court’s assessment of the impact of the crash on your life.
After a wreck with an 18-wheeler, you may be facing extensive medical bills, lost wages, vehicle damage, and other losses that can drastically change your life. To help you pursue maximum financial compensation, a NYC truck accident lawyer can identify and go after all of the different types of financial damages available to you.
A truck crash lawyer will assess your losses, determine their monetary value, and build a strong case that supports them. They will also handle all communications with the insurance company to protect you from a lowball settlement offer that doesn’t fully compensate you for your injuries and losses.
The insurance company will be looking to close your claim quickly so that they can avoid paying out, and a skilled truck accident lawyer knows how to fight back. They can use their knowledge of federal regulations and laws that govern how trucks operate in the United States to pinpoint negligence and hold accountable all parties who caused the crash. They can even investigate additional entities that could be liable, such as the manufacturer of the truck or faulty parts, or the maintenance crew that performed work on the truck before the accident.
Other parties that may be liable include shippers and cargo loaders who ensure their loads are properly balanced and secured; highway authorities who inspect vehicles for safety issues; and any other people or businesses on the roadway who contributed to the accident, such as construction companies and local government agencies. A knowledgeable truck accident attorney can find all possible sources of liability and hold them accountable for your financial recovery.
Your lawyer will also help you prioritize your physical and emotional recovery by handling all aspects of the legal process for you. They will take care of all paperwork and communication with the insurance company to free up your time and energy to focus on healing. They will also limit your social media activity to protect you from unfavorable comments that can be used against your claim in court.
It is best to avoid posting about your injury or the accident on social media after a collision with a commercial truck because it can be used against you in court. A skilled truck accident lawyer will know what to look for when reviewing your social media accounts, so they can spot anything that could be used as evidence against you in a court of law.
Gather Evidence
While it might seem obvious that you should photograph your injuries and the accident scene, you should also gather any other relevant documentation. This might include your medical records, police accident reports, receipts from repair estimates, pay stubs from lost work time, and other financial documents. Your lawyer will review these documents and determine the amount of compensation you deserve for your damages.
Documentation can help to prove the truck driver or trucking company was negligent in causing your crash. An experienced lawyer may also have access to important information, such as video footage from nearby cameras and a copy of the truck’s “black box.” These devices record data moments before the accident, which can help explain how your crash occurred.
Other useful evidence can come from witness statements and expert witnesses. For example, an accident reconstruction expert can use skid marks, debris patterns, and roadway conditions to identify how your crash happened. Other expert witnesses might give statements about the trucker’s driving experience and background, their training, and supervision, the trucking company’s maintenance procedures and compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. The trucking company’s cargo broker and shippers could also provide valuable information about how your crash was caused.
Your attorney will also gather evidence that shows how your accident has impacted your life. A careful analysis of your medical bills and a review of your current and future expenses will allow your lawyer to establish the extent of your physical, emotional, and mental damages. In addition, your lawyer can request a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test to demonstrate the impact of the trucker’s intoxication on the accident.
Your attorney will also request private documents from the trucking company, such as driver logs and maintenance records, to determine whether there were violations of state or federal laws that contributed to your accident. In some cases, your lawyer will have to subpoena these documents if they cannot be obtained independently. Spoliation of evidence is a serious crime, and your attorney will ensure that the evidence in your case is protected from destruction or alteration.
Negotiate with the Insurance Company
While you focus on healing from your injuries, a truck accident lawyer can take care of filing documents and communicating with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Your attorney can prevent the insurance company from undervaluing your case and exploiting you in your vulnerable state by representing you at every step of the process.
Typically, insurance companies will send you a low initial offer to settle your claim. They may say your injury does not warrant the compensation you are claiming or try to shift some of the blame onto you. Your attorney can counter their offer with medical evaluations to prove your damages and provide evidence of the full impact of your injuries.
Your truck accident lawyer can also assist in calculating the total cost of your losses so you know what to expect from the settlement. They can take into account current expenses, future costs for medical treatments and rehabilitation, and more. They can also investigate whether multiple parties are liable for your accident and work to obtain maximum compensation.
When it comes time for settlement negotiations, a truck accident lawyer is well prepared to negotiate the highest possible payout on your behalf. They will have extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies and can avoid the amateur mistakes that might otherwise undermine your case.
The at-fault truck driver owed you a duty of care to drive safely and follow traffic laws, but they breached that duty. Their negligence caused your or your loved one’s injuries, and you have suffered damages and losses as a result. Your attorney will ensure that the insurance company recognizes all of your losses and provides maximum compensation.
Your lawyer can also help you navigate any insurance or legal liens that might be attached to your file, including from hospitals, government agencies, and lenders. They can negotiate on your behalf with these entities to reduce or eliminate any liens you have and allow you to walk away from your case with a clean financial record. They can even file a lawsuit on your behalf to ensure that the liable parties are held accountable for their wrongdoing.
Represent You in Court
The stress of a truck accident is overwhelming, especially when it causes injuries and significant losses. You may not know who to trust, what to do, or how much you’ll get for your damages. You need a skilled attorney to help you deal with the insurance company, calculate your losses and present them in a compelling way that ensures you get fair compensation.
Truck accident lawyers have years of experience dealing with insurance companies and know how to negotiate with them. They will carefully review the insurance policy, assess your damages and prepare a demand letter. They will also counter any offers you receive from the insurance company and represent you in negotiations, ensuring you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
They’ll also help you track your monetary and non-monetary damages. Monetary damages include the expenses with a price tag, such as medical bills and lost wages due to the accident. Non-monetary damages are more subjective, like pain and suffering and a reduced quality of life. A truck accident lawyer will know how to accurately calculate both types of damages and use them to strengthen your case when negotiating with the insurance company.
If the insurance company won’t negotiate, your lawyer will file a complaint. This is the first step in the formal legal process of your claim and starts the clock on a court date. They’ll continue to prepare for trial by reviewing evidence, researching laws relevant to your case, and formulating theories about the cause of your collision. They’ll also interview witnesses and depose them as needed.
When you’re choosing a truck accident lawyer, consider their years of experience handling personal injury cases, their reputation for success, and how comfortable you feel working with them. Remember that you and your attorney will be working closely for months or even years, so it’s important that you’re compatible. Also, make sure you find out how often they go to trial and what their winning record is. You should also look for a firm that works on a contingency fee basis, which means they only charge you if they win your case.