Truck accidents are something that can cause very heavy injuries due to the weight, force, and sheer size of a truck that can greatly damage smaller vehicles. This, combined with passengers in a smaller vehicle can be devastating and sometimes, even fatal. When involved in a car accident involving a truck it is important to be aware of your potential rights for recovery so that you are not crippled by the expenses that will arise in the aftermath of your accident. Victims can be eligible for medical bills, missed work, and damages to their vehicle. Drivers that are not entirely at fault, have the potential for thousands of dollars to be deducted from their settlement obligations if they are in a Comparative Fault state. If you or one of your employees have recently been involved in a truck wreck, then it is wise to consider the conversation below when deciding what is the best course of action to protect both your legal and financial interests:
When dealing with a truck accident, it is important to work with a truck wreck attorney in order to learn the various options of your case. Typically, you will have a case where you were the victim in a vehicle smaller than a truck or you were the truck driver for an employer and were negligent in your post. In either case, you will have potential liability depending on the individual fact pattern of the case. Remember that damages in this area can be substantial due to the likely high medical bills and extreme time missed from work that are typically involved. Damages can also be quite high due to the immense damage a large truck can cause to a smaller compact vehicle. Usually, it is best to examine the precise chain of events of the accident in order to make an accurate determination as to what options are readily available to you. If your employee was involved in a truck wreck, then it is important that you are aware of Respondeat Superior and how it could make your company directly liable for damages caused by your negligent employee.
Truck accidents are unique in that they typically span beyond a traditional negligent party and victim. They can also involve employers and their capital. For example, if you are the owner of a shipping company that regularly drives shipments long distances from coast-to-coast, then you will likely have a staff of drivers that is driving large trucks at dangerous times of the day. If your employee gets into an accident while acting within the scope of their employment, meaning their job duties and work hours, then you have the potential of being liable for an accident if they were negligent. This is something that has the potential to cost you a great deal of capital if the injured party or parties sustains major injuries and has a high settlement. They will first go after the driver; however, if they do not have the capital, they will then come after the company if the option is available to them. Bearing this in mind, it is essential to protect your company’s interests to avoid hiring drivers who are negligent and have strict company policies to avoid driving for too many hours at a time or not mixing alcohol during their driving times.
Another element that can be quite complicated when it comes to calculating a settlement from a truck accident is deciding which party is at fault. Some states have a stipulation called Comparative Fault that stipulates how settlements are calculated for truck accidents. If your state is a Comparative Fault state, the judge will make their decision with the evidence about which party has the highest percentage of fault. If a party has 20% of the fault, then that percentage of the calculated settlement damages will be deducted and the party who has the other 80% of the fault will pay out the difference. Be sure to make yourself aware of whether your state is a Comparative Fault jurisdiction in order to make yourself prepared for the potential financial liability that you will have.
Regardless of whether you are the victim or the primary party at fault in an accident, it is important that you work with a lawyer to represent you for your case. If you have been personally involved with a truck accident, then it is wise to consult with a truck wreck lawyer with an established success rate on truck accident cases.
The best way to go about finding the ideal trucking accident attorney or 18-wheeler accident attorney is to speak to personal and professional contacts that you already possess in order to see whether there is a law firm or particular attorney that they recommend. If you do not have a personal or professional recommendation, it is then best to research the local bar association or Internet regarding feedback of established law firms or attorneys. It is important to remember that you want to hire an attorney with a high success rate when it comes to finding the best truck accident lawyer. Failure to do so can put you at a major disadvantage in terms of the potential outcome of your case.
Usually, it is wise to meet with up to five different attorneys and/or law firms in order to present the facts of your case in a consultation appointment. Then, these firms will come back to you with a decision as to whether they are willing to take your case. Upon seeing the firm’s decision, they will also present you with potential paths for your case and how likely you will be to recover. Once you have a chance to review the options presented to you, you will be able to officially enter into an attorney-client relationship with the law firm and embark on starting your case. Remember, to take your time when selecting an attorney in order to have the best potential outcome for your case.
It is important to remember that many attorneys that specialize in truck accidents accept their fees on a contingency fee basis. What this means is that the attorney or law firm will not bill you until there is a successful resolution of your case. Make sure that the contingency fee is not excessive so that you are awarded the damages that you are legally entitled to. That said, lawyers that work on a contingency basis are far more likely to have success because they are as motivated as you are to have a successful outcome to the case so that all parties involved can be compensated with the damages awarded by the court.
In order to learn more about our firm, it is wise to visit our website at www.lawyeronmyside.com. Here you will be able to learn about why our attorneys are qualified and experts in their respective fields. We have a large division of our practice that specializes in Personal Injury and also that has a particular expertise in truck accidents and their corresponding settlements. In fact, we have a very high level of success with clients that have either been victims of a truck wreck or that have been behind the wheel of the truck that caused the accident. If either of these circumstances has occurred to you, it is highly recommended that you reach out to our firm for a consultation appointment. Once you do so, you will be one step closer to having a projected path for success with your upcoming case.
Once you have been involved in a truck accident, it can be quite difficult to proceed in terms of legal procedures. This is why it is beneficial to hire an attorney from the outset to avoid future hassles and hardships for you. Regardless of whether you are an employer, driver or victim of a truck accident, it is important to consult with an attorney to assess what your liability and potential damages will be. By hiring an attorney, you can have a skilled legal professional there for you to assist you with every aspect of your case. Your attorney will not be paid until you are paid, which provides you with the assurance that they will do everything they can to ensure a successful outcome of your case. Be sure to reach out to our firm if you are looking for particular expertise with wrecks involving trucks. This is something that is a very specific area of law that requires precise expertise. Upon working with the right qualified attorney, you will be able to have the tools you need to have a successful resolution of your case.
