Every year, thousands of truck accidents occur and often result in severe injuries or death. In the aftermath of a truck accident, victims often find themselves grappling with a web of legal complexities.
If you have been hurt or suffered a loss in a truck accident, you deserve a law firm with a solid track record of success in handling such cases. The right lawyer for your truck accident case should know how to guide you through the challenges that come with such claims.
Why should you hire an attorney after a truck accident? When handling traffic collision cases, personal injury attorneys do much more than just collect evidence. They take on various tasks to make sure your case is solid. Let’s explore some of a truck accident attorney’s responsibilities in detail.
Conduct a Case Evaluation
Case evaluation involves carefully examining the circumstances of the accident at hand. What were the weather conditions at the time? Was driver fatigue a factor? Were there any mechanical failures with the truck?
Examining such details helps personal injury lawyers to understand how the collision happened.
To build your case, truck accident lawyers must carefully gather evidence, such as:
- Police reports: Besides physical evidence, official reports from the police or other government agencies are vital. These reports contain valuable details about what caused (or may have caused) the accident.
- Evidence from the scene: Lawyers may take pictures of the vehicle damage, skid marks on the road, and traffic signs at the scene. Such evidence can help your lawyer rebuild the whole picture of how the accident went down and visualize exactly what occurred.
- Witness statements: People who saw the accident happen can provide crucial support. Obtaining contact info from witnesses at the scene helps your lawyer contact them later regarding making statements or providing court testimony.
- Expenses and damages: Keeping track of costs related to the accident is essential. These include expenses incurred by medical treatment, fixing your vehicle, being unable to work, and more. This financial proof indicates how much you suffered due to the accident.
All relevant evidence helps create a clear picture of the events leading up to the accident and establish liability.
Determine Fault
Determining liability is a pivotal aspect of case evaluation. It is not merely about attributing blame; all potentially responsible parties must be identified.
These could be the truck driver, the company he or she works for, truck maintenance crew members, or even the equipment manufacturers. Identifying the correct liable parties helps your lawyer create an effective case strategy.
Offer Legal Advice
In the aftermath of a truck accident, reliable legal guidance is essential to your pursuit of justice. A truck accident attorney can explain the potential courses of action available to you, which might involve talking to insurance companies, making a personal injury claim, or going to court if a fair deal cannot be reached.
Of course, every case is different. Your lawyer will guide you on the steps you can take based on your situation, making sure you know the options that match your needs.
File Legal Documents
One responsibility of a truck accident attorney is preparing and filing legal documents. This process is the backbone of initiating a lawsuit, therefore governed by strict court deadlines and procedures.
Filing legal documents involves not only presenting a compelling case but also doing so in a manner that aligns with the court’s requirements. Each document must be filed properly, from drafting the complaint – which outlines the plaintiff’s grievances and legal claims – to various motions and responses.
Court filing deadlines are non-negotiable, and missing them can have severe consequences for a case. A skilled truck accident lawyer will adhere to these timelines, ensuring that all documents are submitted properly. This timely filing helps maintain momentum in the legal process and avoid delays for your case.
Negotiate With Insurance Companies
When it comes to truck accidents, negotiating with insurance companies can be a daunting task. Insurance companies often try to pay as little as possible to keep their costs down.
This is where a skilled truck accident lawyer becomes crucial. One of the main jobs of a truck accident lawyer is to handle all the talking and negotiating with the insurance companies for you.
Experienced truck accident injury lawyers know all the tactics that insurance adjusters use. During negotiations, your lawyer will be on a mission to get you fair compensation for all the things you have been through. He or she will fight for you to recover damages such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and anything else the accident might have cost you.
A seasoned legal team has a good sense of how much your case is worth. Your legal team’s goal is to fight for the most money they can get for you. This way, you can concentrate on getting better without stressing about going head-to-head with the insurance company by yourself.
Go to Trial
While trying to get compensation for your injuries after a truck accident, there are times when going to court becomes necessary. And truck accident lawyers become especially important at that time. They play a big role in fighting for your rights and making sure you get the money you deserve.
When your case goes to trial, your lawyer can find expert witnesses who can speak in court on your behalf. These experts may include accident reconstructionists who can explain how the accident happened – or medical experts who can tell the court how bad your injuries are and how these might affect your life in the long run.
During trial proceedings, your attorney’s role is multifaceted. His or her goal is, mainly, to show who is responsible and paint a picture of how this negligence has affected every part of your life – physically, emotionally, and financially.
The point is to tell your whole story surrounding the accident. The court must be helped to clearly understand why you deserve the compensation you seek.
Help You Seek Justice After a Truck Accident
The aftermath of a truck accident can be very overwhelming. In the midst of dealing with injuries, medical bills, and property damage, seeking legal help may not be at the top of your to-do list. However, you must understand the importance of enlisting the services of a truck accident lawyer.
At Siegfried & Jensen, we understand how devastating truck accidents can be. Our team of experienced lawyers has extensive knowledge of personal injury law and will work tirelessly to hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, let us handle the legal complexities so that you can focus on healing.
In Utah, time is limited to file a claim. So you must act quickly to seek a fair settlement. Seeking legal help after a truck accident may seem daunting at first, but it could make all the difference in getting the justice you deserve.
Don’t hesitate! Contact the experienced truck accident lawyers of Siegfried & Jensen today. Call (801) 845-9000 or fill out our online form.
