Do I need a lawyer for a truck accident claim? While you do not need a lawyer for a truck accident claim, it may be in your best interests to have an experienced advocate protect your rights throughout the process.
A Los Angeles truck accident lawyer can help you overcome the unique aspects of these claims, including federal regulations, questions of liability, and catastrophic injuries.
Claims With Serious Injuries May Benefit From Having Experienced Representation
Truck accidents often result in severe injuries due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. These injuries may require long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and involve lifelong complications. Without an experienced lawyer for your truck accident claim, your settlement may not cover your medical expenses.
Claims involving catastrophic and debilitating injuries generally have higher financial stakes. As such, they are more likely to go to trial. Insurance companies may fight liability. The medical evidence may be under harsher scrutiny.
The pain and suffering of serious injuries are difficult to express and highly subjective due to their intangibility. Experienced attorneys understand the importance of presenting that pain in such a way that an otherwise healthy person can understand.
"Even now, after our case is over, Ryan is still there for us whenever we need him. They're good people."
NO FEES UNLESS WE WIN GUARANTEE
NO FEES UNLESS WE WIN GUARANTEE
Truck Accident Claims Are More Complicated Than Car Accidents
Unlike car accidents, truck accident claims involve an array of federal and state regulations unique to commercial vehicles.
Rules and Regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has several regulations that truck drivers must adhere to, including:
- Strict hours of service (HOS)
- Drug and alcohol testing (Drug and Alcohol Rules)
- Use of electronic logging devices
If a truck driver violates any of the FMCSA regulations, they may be found liable under negligence per se.
Negligence Per Se
The basis of any personal injury claim is establishing negligence. Typically, that means showing the truck driver or company owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, caused you harm, and that the breach of duty directly led to your injuries.
However, if the truck driver or company violated federal regulations, it can significantly strengthen your case. An attorney can send a demand letter to the trucking company seeking the black box records, logs, and other critical evidence before they are destroyed.
Trucking companies may erase pertinent data when repairing the vehicle, so it is essential that an attorney preserve those records.
Having a lawyer for your truck accident claim can protect critical evidence and employ specific strategies to recover the damages you deserve.
When Fault Is Disputed in a Los Angeles Truck Accident
Fault is not always clear after a truck accident. Beyond just the truck driver, liability can fall onto other parties who may or may not be directly involved in the crash. Establishing liability is a key part of building your case. An experienced attorney can help determine all liable parties.
California abides by a pure comparative negligence rule (California Civil Code 1714). This means that even if you are found to be partially at fault, you may still be able to recover damages. Your final payment would be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Insurance companies may use this statute to their advantage. Having a lawyer for a truck accident claim can protect your right to compensation by building a strong case to support your claim.
"I felt very protected, especially the way Ryan answered any question I had. I was very happy with the results of my case."
NO FEES UNLESS WE WIN GUARANTEE
NO FEES UNLESS WE WIN GUARANTEE
What Role Insurance Companies Play in Truck Accident Claims
Trucking companies and their insurers often respond quickly after an accident. While this may seem like a good thing, the insurance company’s goal may be to reduce financial exposure as early as possible. Insurance representatives may:
- Request recorded statements
- Offer early, lowball settlements
- Question the cause or severity of injuries
Understanding the details of how insurance companies approach truck accident claims can be challenging, which is why it is recommended to have a lawyer for a truck accident claim. An attorney can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, working to come to a fair settlement.
"Our goal is to remove the stress of the case from you, so you can focus on treating your injuries and begin your road to recovery."
NO FEES UNLESS WE WIN GUARANTEE
NO FEES UNLESS WE WIN GUARANTEE
What Evidence Is Important in a Truck Accident Claim
Truck accident cases rely heavily on evidence that may not be available for long periods. Working with an attorney for a truck accident claim early on can protect evidence before it is lost.
Demand letters can be sent to the trucking company to protect black box data and other pertinent records before the truck is fully repaired and put back on the road.
Some important evidence in a truck accident case may include:
- Driver logbooks
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance records
- Black box or electronic data
- Witness statements and accident reports
- Photos and video of the scene
- Physical evidence, such as the vehicles involved
Preserving this evidence early can be critical to understanding what caused the crash and who is ultimately responsible.
How Having a Lawyer for a Truck Accident Claim Can Help Your Case
A truck accident lawyer does more than file paperwork. Their role often includes investigating the crash, working with medical professionals to evaluate injuries, reconstructing the accident, and getting unbiased professional opinions. They can then utilize this information to help build your case.
A truck accident attorney can make sure all deadlines are met with filing and documentation. A missed deadline can make or break your case, so leaving that to an experienced lawyer can be extremely beneficial.
This is especially true while you are in recovery. Rather than splitting your focus from healing to battling insurance companies, let an attorney fight for you.
BANA LAW Is Prepared to Fight for You
After being involved in a truck accident, you may feel lost on what to do next. At BANA LAW, we understand what you are going through, which is why we charge no fees unless you win. You deserve a team of attorneys that will fiercely advocate for your best interests.
Our results show a long history of success. Call today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how our Los Angeles truck accident attorneys can help your claim.
"We use over 100 years of combined legal experience to help our clients get the maximum compensation available under the circumstances."
NO FEES UNLESS WE WIN GUARANTEE
NO FEES UNLESS WE WIN GUARANTEE
