Truck Accident Lawsuits
If the truck driver caused a large truck accident, it’s usually the result of fatigue or equipment failures. You will need an attorney to protect your interests and make the best case possible. If you win, you can eventually be compensated by the trucking company’s insurance. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about these sorts of lawsuits.
Is alcohol a big factor in large-truck accidents?
Alcohol is not usually the reason for a large truck accident. If the truck driver caused the accident, maybe the driver is under too much pressure to get from one location to another, and either hasn’t gotten enough rest or hasn’t adequately maintained the large truck.
If I was in a large-truck accident, do I need an attorney?
You likely need an attorney if you’ve been injured because of a large truck accident. Trucking companies are conscious of how expensive an accident can be. They will take care of their own best interests, which are not necessarily the same as yours.
Do not sign any papers or make any statement until you have legal representation. If you are not at fault, file the lawsuit as soon as you can. You have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit, and you don’t want the trucking company to destroy any of its relevant records because you waited too long to act.
If I file a lawsuit, what do I have to do to win?
Assume that the truck caused the accident, which may or may not be true. To win a lawsuit involving a large-truck accident, you have to do two things: show negligence and show damages.
Negligence is defined by what a reasonably careful person would or wouldn’t do. If someone causes one or more other people to be hurt, either by doing something or not doing something, and the court decides that a reasonably careful person wouldn’t have acted or failed to act that way, then that is negligence. In other words, negligence means someone acted in a way that was unsafe and unreasonable.
Auto accidents are generally expensive; in particular, large-truck accidents tend to be extremely expensive because the size of the truck makes it very destructive. Chances are good that if you were in a large truck accident, you probably have some big expenses to worry about. Those are the damages.
Do trucking companies carry insurance?
Federal regulations do require trucking companies to carry insurance, but there are a lot of times when they are not very good about paying medical bills immediately. Expect that the trucking company will build a case for itself and that its version will defend its side and minimize any damage to you. This is why it is so important for you to have an attorney.
Personal injury law is designed to protect individuals and families from financial and physical injuries caused by negligence. Truck accident attorneys have the knowledge and expertise to protect your legal rights and help resolve your personal injury or wrongful death claim.
