Millions of trucks are on the roads every day, plenty of them pass through Carrollton and the surrounding area. With all of those large vehicles on the road, accidents are inevitable—and they can be some of the most serious car accidents of all. When truck accidents occur, they can result in severe injuries with effects that continue for years. They can also cause fatalities that rob you of family members or other loved ones. When truck accidents happen, you need to enforce your rights. You need to talk to a Carrollton semi-truck & 18-wheeler accident lawyer.
Our lawyers are very familiar with truck accidents because we have over 20 years helping personal injury victims. Our attorneys also understand that a truck accident can put a severe emotional and financial strain on you and your family. That is why our lawyers never charge a dime unless and until you get money. That way, your attorney is never an additional financial burden. Give us a call at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
How can a semi-truck lawyer help investigate my claim?
Truck accident cases are complicated. They often involve several levels of insurance, many parties, and complicated issues. One of the most valuable things that your attorney will do for you is to investigate your claim. That includes doing things like:
Determining what insurance coverage is available.
In many cases, there is more than one insurance policy that applies to your situation. To get maximum benefits, you need to be aware of which insurance companies may owe you money for your damages and injuries. Our lawyers can help you figure out who the defendants should be and how much insurance coverage is available.
Reviewing truck records.
Truckers are required to keep certain records in their truck, including information on mileage, inspections, and maintenance. When drivers don’t keep these records as they should, there is usually a reason—such as that they aren’t doing regular maintenance or driving longer than they legally allowed to under federal law.
Talking to the police and witnesses.
After your truck accident, you may not have the chance to have a conversation with witnesses or the police because you are busy attending to your medical needs—and you should! We can do this type of investigation for you. Police will often get witness contact information, and we can follow up with these individuals to get an idea of what they saw. Sometimes witnesses can also provide helpful opinions on what they think happened just before the accident as well.
Gathering information on previous accidents.
Some truck drivers are accident prone, but their trucking companies continue to let them drive. In this type of situation, the trucking company may be liable for allowing a truck driver to keep operating their truck when they have such a poor track record. Our lawyers can find and help you use this information in your personal injury case.
The trucking company and its insurance company will be doing their own investigation, so you should be gathering evidence too. Your lawyer can be very helpful to both investigate your claim and deal with the insurance company.
Who can be sued in a trucking accident?
Many parties can be involved in a trucking accident lawsuit. It will depend on the facts of your situation. Some of the most common parties include:
- The truck driver
- The commercial trucking business
- The truck driver’s insurance company
- The trucking company’s insurance company
- Any party that loaded the truck
- The owner of any cargo that was in the truck at the time of the accident
- Parties that maintain the semi or perform regular maintenance
- Road engineers or anyone that designed the road
Every case is different, which means that all or only one of these parties may be involved in your truck accident case. Your attorney will be able to help you determine who should be included in your lawsuit. That way, you get the right people involved who will cover your damages and losses after a truck accident.
One common issue that often comes up when deciding who should be in the lawsuit is who the truck driver actually works for. The driver may be an employee of a trucking company, or they may be an independent contractor. When the driver is an employee, the trucking company should also be listed in your lawsuit. But, when the driver is an independent contractor, the trucking company may not be involved. Sometimes, however, trucking companies call their drivers independent contractors when they are really employees. Your lawyer will be able to help you through these tricky situations.
What kind of damages can I get after a truck accident?
Every case is different, but the most common damages after a truck accident include:
- Medical expenses
- Costs of future medical treatments
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The damages that you get after a truck accident are designed to compensate you for your losses. That means that anything that costs you money because of the accident should be included in your list of damages. Once you sit down and tally it up, it may be far more extensive than you originally thought.
You can also get money for damages that are not easily quantifiable, such as the pain and emotional distress that you felt after the accident. Your attorney will be able to help you estimate what this type of damage would be worth in the Carrollton area. Location, the facts of your case, and your specific injuries will all have an effect on the value of this type of damage.
Talk to a Carrollton Semi-Truck & 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer for Free
You don’t have to deal with a truck insurance company on your own. We can help you communicate with the insurance company, investigate your claim, and much more. Don’t wait to get the process started. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to schedule your free consultation today.
