Trucking is a dangerous profession. In order to maintain a level of safety and control, commercial truck drivers must undergo constant training, monitoring, and even testing. They must maintain safe speeds, get quality sleep and even observe all traffic regulations for the state in which they are driving in. Most importantly, they must remain alert and keep their eyes on the road ahead. It is imperative that any company that owns a semi-truck and employs drivers keeps an eye on those drivers and maintains their trucks to ensure maximum safety. If there is ever a lapse in judgment from either side, serious injuries or even deaths may occur.
If you have been injured in an accident with a semi-truck, you may wonder if you need an attorney. Perhaps you feel that your case is simple enough, or you can easily prove that the truck driver was at-fault. While this may be the case, trucking accident claims are much more complex. They include state and federal laws, and determining liability may be more than who caused the accident. After all, trucking accident claims often include claims against the driver as well as other parties – such as the owner or even the company responsible for maintaining the truck itself.
Determining the Responsible Parties
Trucking accident cases are difficult to determine liability – because the potentially responsible parties are much higher than a traditional accident case. It is critical that you discover every party that could be held liable in order to ensure that you receive the compensation deserved for your case. The most obvious responsible parties are often the drivers involved in the accident, but after further investigation, an attorney may determine that there are other at-fault parties, such as:
- Insurance companies
- Employers
- Manufacturers of the semi-truck or vehicle
- Manufacturers of replacement components
- Company that loaded the semi-truck
- Contractors
- Mechanics
- Trucking companies
- Government entities
Choosing a Legal Strategy
Another benefit to hiring a truck accident attorney is that you can choose your legal strategy – which may not be as apparent as you think. An attorney will need to determine not only the responsible parties, but how to show that they are responsible for your injuries. Many cases are settled out of court, but only because a good plaintiff attorney will have the right evidence to push negotiations in their favor. The benefits of hiring an attorney are plentiful, but one of the biggest is creating a strategy. Your attorney will know how to read the evidence and come up with a negotiation tactic that pushes the insurer or defendant to settling for the amount that you need.
Hiring a Truck Accident is Worth It – Contact One Today
If you are injured in an accident with a truck, you can increase your compensation and improve the likelihood that your case will settle just by contacting an attorney. If legal action is necessary, an attorney can help explore options for compensation and walk you through every stage of the lawsuit process. Your attorney will be able to research the law, interview witnesses, collect records, confer with experts, plan a strategy, prepare and file the necessary documents, and represent your case in negotiations as well as trial. Schedule a meeting today for free with Schwartzapfel® Lawyers P.C. regarding your case at 877-737-4806 or fill out our online contact form with your legal questions.
