Is It Worth Getting a Truck Accident Attorney?

After being injured in a truck accident, there are a lot of decisions to make. Decisions about your medical treatment, your ability to work, and your financial situation. 

It’s hard to make the best decision every time for you and your family, which is why many people hire a truck accident attorney to help them deal with insurance companies, provide legal guidance, investigate the accident, and ultimately recover compensation for their damages. It can significantly ease the burden that comes with a truck accident.

Truthfully, in some accident cases, it may not be necessary to hire a lawyer, particularly when it comes to minor accidents. However, the unfortunate truth about truck accidents is that they are rarely minor. Much more than car accidents, truck accidents can lead to serious injuries, disability, and even death. 

Here, we are going to take a look at a few of the ways a Kentucky truck accident lawyer can help.

Dealing With the Insurance Company

After being involved in a truck accident, most people are in a vulnerable state of mind. They just went through a traumatic experience and are now facing health, work, and financial uncertainties. 

Unfortunately, insurance companies will do their best to take advantage of this – and do so quickly. They may seem sympathetic and caring, but they have one goal, which is to pay as little in compensation as possible. 

In doing so, they may ask for a signed statement or medical records in an attempt to use your own words and actions against you. They may offer you a lowball settlement in hopes they can quickly close the claim while paying less than you deserve. 

A truck accident attorney can even the playing field. We understand insurance company tactics and we know how to fight back, ensuring your rights are protected and that you pursue the compensation you deserve for your damages. 

Understanding State Law and Federal Trucking Regulations

While truck accident cases tend to be more complex because of how serious they are, they are also more complex because there are additional laws around trucking that do not apply to other motor vehicle accident cases.

For example, truck drivers are only allowed to stay on the road for certain amounts of time. However, trucking companies have been known to pressure their drivers into staying on the road longer, which can lead to drowsy driving accidents. 

There are other parties, including maintenance companies, loading companies, and more, who all have a responsibility to ensure the safety of semi-trucks. When any of these companies fail to uphold their responsibilities and it causes an accident, they could be held liable. 

A truck accident attorney will have a deep understanding of these laws, allowing for a quick, efficient investigation into the cause of the accident while ensuring those responsible are held accountable. 

Investigating Your Truck Accident

That said, establishing the cause of an accident requires more than understanding the law. You also need to gather evidence. Evidence can come in many forms, including everything from cell phone records and logbooks to witness statements and photographs of skid marks. 

It can also come from investigating the truck driver to see if they have a history of negligent behavior, whether that be driving under the influence or distracted driving.

Also, if a broken part may have led to the accident, we will need to work with an expert who can examine the truck to determine if there was a problem with the truck itself. This could mean that a parts manufacturer was negligent or that the truck wasn’t properly maintained. 

Conducting such an investigation takes time, resources, and experience, all of which a truck accident lawyer can provide. 

Determining the Extent of Your Losses

There are often a lot of expenses associated with truck accidents, including medical bills and property damage. That said, accident victims don’t always understand the full extent of what they can recover compensation for. Insurance companies may claim that they will only pay you for your immediate financial losses, but you may deserve much more. 

For example, if a truck accident impacts your ability to work or, even worse, your ability to continue in your current career, this amounts to a long-term financial loss that should be considered when calculating total damages. 

In addition, you also need to be aware of non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. These, too, may call for additional compensation. 

Maximizing Your Compensation

In most cases, truck accident claims settle out of court. It is simply quicker, more predictable, and cheaper for all parties involved. However, the only way to ensure you recover maximum compensation is to be willing to go to court if the insurance company does not provide a fair settlement offer. 

That said, going to court does add yet another layer of complexity to your case. Now, you must convince a jury of your right to maximum compensation, and there is no guarantee they will side with you. This is why you should always work with an experienced trial attorney who is willing to take your case to court if need be. 

Contact Our Louisville Truck Accident Attorney Today

While a truck accident lawyer can help with a great many legal problems, you still need to find an attorney that you can trust and rely on to provide the compassionate, all-in support that you and your family need. 

At the Karl Truman Law Office, we are committed to helping injured accident victims achieve the compensation they need and the peace of mind they deserve. We encourage you to get in touch today for a free consultation by calling us at (502) 222-2222. Our lawyers serve clients in truck accident claims in Louisville and throughout Kentucky, as well as Indiana.