When Should You Hire An Attorney For A Truck Accident?
Every year, hundreds of thousands of trucks are involved in accidents that result in injuries. Unfortunately, a truck accident injury can leave you with injuries that adversely affect your life for a long time. However, the good news is that you can recover compensation after suffering severe injuries in a truck accident due to another party’s negligence by filing a personal injury claim. Although you aren’t required to hire an attorney for your truck accident claim, it is advisable that you don’t handle your case alone.
While all truck accident victims should consider hiring an attorney, there are specific circumstances where you will almost certainly need a truck accident attorney. Below, we look at some of the main situations when you should hire a truck accident attorney;
There Are Possibly Multiple Liable Parties
After a truck accident, many victims assume that the driver, and only they, are to blame for their injuries. That is not always the case. In a truck accident case, there may be more than one party to blame. Apart from the truck driver, other parties that may be to blame in a truck accident claim include;
- The trucking company
- The truck manufacturer
- The cargo company
- A mechanic shop
- Another driver
- A government entity
For example, a truck driver may have been drowsy driving, and a cargo loader may have incorrectly secured the load.
If you believe that more than one party is to blame for your truck accident, you should hire a truck accident lawyer. An attorney can help ensure that all liable parties are held accountable.
Liability Is Disputed
Suppose the truck driver won’t accept that they are to blame for your accident. In that case, you need to speak to a truck accident attorney. An attorney can help you gather evidence that can help you prove liability, such as witness statements, the police report, electronic logging device data, surveillance footage, and black box data.
Your Damages Are Extensive
After a truck accident, the chances are high you will suffer extensive damages. If this is your situation, you almost certainly need to hire an attorney. The truth is that although the insurance coverages involved in truck accident cases are usually high, insurance companies are always unwilling to pay out huge amounts to claimants. A skilled truck accident attorney can increase your chances of recovering the maximum compensation possible. Attorneys have experience negotiating with insurance companies. And if you are unable to recover the amount you deserve through negotiations, a skilled truck accident attorney can help fight for what is rightfully yours in court.
An attorney may even be able to help you recover punitive damages. These damages are usually awarded in cases involving intentional misconduct or gross negligence.
You Are Likely Partially at Fault
Contact an attorney immediately if you think you may be partially to blame for your truck accident. If you don’t hire an attorney, you may be denied compensation even though Florida’s comparative negligence rule allows you to seek compensation even if you are partially to blame for your truck accident.
Contact Us for Legal Help
Contact our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm if you need help with your truck accident case. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Orlando, Ocala, West Palm Beach, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, Tampa, Jacksonville, Miami, and Fort Myers areas.
