To clearly understand why hiring a truck accident lawyer is crucial, you must understand the uniqueness of a truck accident compared to a regular car accident. A car accident is a common type of accident that you will witness on an everyday basis, and while they may also be fatal and cause property damage, these are substantially less dangerous than an accident caused by a large rig.
Large rigs or 18-wheelers will cause significant damage to property and multiple injuries that may result in a lifelong disability. On several occasions, these accidents have also caused fatalities and are generally more destructive and traumatic than regular accidents.
However, to deal with these complicated situations, which are not only traumatic but also involve several liable parties, it becomes necessary to hire a skillful and experienced lawyer. This article will discuss the complexities involved in truck accidents and the reasons why you should hire a professional to represent yourself.
Complexities of truck accidents
- Vehicle maintenance:
Trucks undergo regular maintenance practices before and after every trip to be on the road. However, trucking companies often cut corners on cost and ignore maintenance, which may result in mechanical or parts failures, leading to your accident. However, you cannot easily prove these situations without any resources to obtain evidence suggesting neglect on the part of the maintenance or the trucking company. A skilled and experienced truck accident lawyer will be able to investigate the matter and collect evidence to prove the fault.
- Driver training and qualifications:
Truck drivers are required to undergo rigorous training to be able to drive these rigs, but carrier companies will sometimes not properly investigate the drivers or will not provide proper training to the drivers to drive large industrial trucks, causing accidents. Your lawyer understands these requirements and will investigate to find any neglect.
- Hours of service:
Truck drivers are required to drive long distances with large weights; hence, federal and state regulations impose limited hours of service on them. However, many carrier companies will force the drivers to exceed this limit and overwork them to meet delivery deadlines or save money. This leads to fatigue and drivers falling asleep while driving, causing serious accidents.
- Restrictions on size and weight:
Every state in America applies some restrictions on the weight and size of trucks, which are in place to prevent overloading and ensure safety during transit. However, many times, carrier companies will knowingly overload the trucks to save money on transportation costs and may cause accidents in the process.
- Permits:
Trucks carrying specialized goods are required to obtain permits before traveling on highways or entering certain states. Trucking companies will not obtain these permits, and the load may, in some cases, cause the truck to lose balance and cause accidents.
Other important reasons for hiring
- Federal and state trucking regulations:
You may not know all the federal and state trucking regulations that the trucks and the carrier company should abide by, but an experienced truck accident lawyer will be well-versed in these laws. Your lawyer will be able to find out about any negligence in compliance easily with the help of his resources, which may help your case.
- Insurance procedure:
Insurance companies can quickly become adversaries and create issues, forcing you to take an offer that may not be appropriate but helps them gain financially. Your truck accident lawyer, with their experience, will be able to prevent you from taking a bad offer and compel the insurance companies to offer fair compensation.
- Investigation and evidence gathering:
Due to the complexities of a truck accident and the involvement of multiple parties, it is unlikely that you will be able to investigate and collect evidence on your own. Your lawyer will have access to experts, medical professionals, and other resources to find the necessary evidence to strengthen your case and help you win.
- Determining liable parties:
In a truck accident, multiple at-fault parties can be involved, such as the driver, the carrier company, the maintenance company, or the manufacturing company. This is where your lawyer can help you conduct a thorough investigation to find out the reason for the accident and determine the liable party for the accident.
- Effective negotiation:
While investigation and evidence collection are important, your negotiating abilities determine the amount of compensation that you can get. A truck accident lawyer with skills in communication and negotiation will be able to help you get a fair settlement with the help of evidence and facts as leverage. Not only can they help you avoid bad offers, but they can also help you maximize your compensation with the help of your medical reports and testimonies from medical experts.
Conclusion
Accidents caused by large trucks can have a life-changing impact on your life, and the complex nature of regulations, involved parties, and the insurance process will require that you hire a talented truck accident lawyer. Your lawyer will ensure that you are represented well in court and offered a fair amount during the settlement procedure to cover your damages suffered.
Greg Baumgartner handles truck accident lawsuits for victims of truck accidents in Texas. He is an expert Texas Truck Accident Lawyer with an exemplary track record.
