Semi-Truck Accident Not My Fault

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Large commercial trucks are common all across the country. Companies rely on these vehicles to deliver products, ranging from the groceries we buy to the clothes we wear, every day. But although these large commercial trucks are essential to our daily lives, that doesn’t mean they aren’t dangerous. All across the country, large commercial vehicles get into accidents every day, and accidents with semi-trucks breed entirely different problems than simple car crashes.

Because of the size and weight differential of commercial trucks with other vehicles on the road, the chances of increased damage and injuries are substantial. If you find yourself to be the victim in an accident with a semi-truck in which you weren’t at fault, you may be wondering what your options are. Consider consulting with an experienced semi-truck accident attorney to learn about the complexities of these cases and the potential areas of compensation you may be able to receive in your specific case.

If you or a loved one has been in a truck accident, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a 100% free case evaluation with our truck accident attorneys.

YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION

How Can a Lawyer Help My Case?

Although all auto accidents are truly scary situations, accidents with commercial semi-trucks involve a very different set of concerns. For example, the usual parties may be different, injuries and damage can be much more severe, and areas of compensation can be more diverse. For these reasons consulting with an experienced semi-truck accident attorney may be in your best interest. These cases can become extremely complex, and the chances of being overwhelmed or taken advantaged of are significant. By speaking to an experienced semi-truck accident attorney, you can get the opportunity to understand your situation better and learn about the possible outcomes of your specific case.

If you find yourself a victim of a semi-truck accident in which you aren’t at fault, you may be entitled to seek compensation for the injuries you suffered or the damage your vehicle sustained. An experienced semi-truck accident attorney can work on your behalf to make sure you seek all of the compensation you deserve so that you can get your life back on track.

What Evidence Will I Need?

If you are the victim of an accident with a semi-truck and you were not the party at fault, there are some important pieces of evidence you should definitely consider gathering whether it be at the scene of the accident or afterward. But before you consider gathering evidence at the scene of the accident, remember that your health and safety should be your primary concern. If you are injured, no matter how insignificant it may seem at the time, seek medical attention immediately. Injuries may be masked by the rush of adrenaline after an accident, but a medical professional will be able to detect these injuries to make sure they don’t get worse.

At the scene of the accident, you should consider gathering important information such as:

  • Name and contact information of the other driver
  • Employer’s name and contact information
  • Other driver’s license number
  • License plate number
  • Names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident
  • Statements made by witnesses to the accident
  • Photographs of the scene of the accident
  • Photographs of any damage to your vehicle
  • Police reports

After the accident, there are other pieces of information you should also consider gathering, including:

  • Information relating to healthcare appointments
  • Copies of all of your medical records
  • All medical bills from each and every healthcare provider you sought treatment from
  • All repair bills from damages caused by the accident
  • Any information relating to work missed

Take the time to gather as much evidence as you can possibly get. The more evidence you acquire, the more likely it is that you will be successful in your claim. If you are unable to acquire such evidence by yourself, consider consulting with an experienced semi-truck accident attorney who can help you gather this evidence on your behalf.

Will a Lawyer Help Me Get a Larger Settlement?

While every case is different and it is impossible to guarantee results in every case, an experienced lawyer will do everything in their power to assure that you seek the maximum amount of compensation you deserve.
It is in the best interest of the insurance company to settle as quickly as possible and for as little as possible. This may mean that their investigation may overlook some aspects of your case. Your lawyer will conduct an investigation into your case and in doing so, may uncover aspects of your case that could increase the value of your claim.

Do not let yourself be overwhelmed by the complexity of the process or taken advantage of by insurance claims adjusters, whose main goal is to make money for their employer. Contact a lawyer to see how much you may be entitled to and to get an estimate on your chances of success.

How Will a Lawyer Handle the Insurance Company?

When dealing with insurance companies, you will most likely be speaking directly with an assigned claims adjuster. This person is an employee of the insurance company, and their primary goal is to pay out as little as possible. A lawyer will understand how to deal with claims adjusters and be familiar with every strategy they have.

An experienced lawyer will most likely have dealt with plenty of truck accident cases in the past and won’t let you be taken advantage of and make every effort to assure that you seek fair compensation for any injuries you suffered and any damage incurred.

What to Do After a Semi-truck Accident That Was Not My Fault

Although every accident is unique, there are some common things you may want to consider doing after a semi-truck accident in which you were not at fault.

1. Seek medical attention

No matter how minor your injuries may seem, always remember that your health and safety should be your primary concern.

2. Call the police

if it’s determined that you have no serious injuries, call the authorities to report the accident. You may need a police report further down the line when dealing with your insurance company.

3. Gather information

Gather information relating to the accident including contact information of all parties involved and any witnesses to the accident, photographs, statements, police reports, and employment and insurance information of the semi-truck driver.

4. Report the accident

contact your insurance company as soon as possible to determine what steps they require you to take. It is important to do this in a timely manner so that you have the best opportunity to receive just compensation.

5. Call an attorney

if at any point you feel confused or overwhelmed as to what to do next or want some advice, you should certainly consider calling an experienced semi-truck accident attorney as soon as possible. An experienced semi-truck accident attorney can help you in more ways than you can think of and help make the process as easy as possible for you to understand.

How to File a Claim

It is important to remember that insurance companies may have different processes dealing with insurance claims. To get the most accurate information regarding how to file an insurance claim with your specific provider consider consulting the insurance company directly or consider speaking with an experienced attorney who has dealt with your insurance company in the past.

To file a claim with a lawyer, the process will generally run as follows:

1. Meet with your attorney

Take the time to meet with your attorney to explain your case. This will allow your lawyer to understand your case and help them in their approach to building your case, establishing liability and help them determine the estimated value of your case.

2. Investigation

Your attorney will conduct an investigation. In doing so, they will gather witness accounts, medical records, details of any expense you have incurred and piece together the strongest case possible for you.

3. Negotiation

Once armed with all the facts, liability, and an estimate of the damages you have incurred, they will begin negotiations with the insurance company. At this stage, your lawyer will fight for you and seek the maximum compensation possible for you.

4. Settlement

If an agreement is reached at the negotiation stage, your case will be settled, and your lawyer will discuss the process of receiving your settlement check. However, if an agreement is not reached, then your case will move to trial, and your lawyer will issue legal proceedings. If this happens, you will not be alone, your lawyer and legal team will be by your side every step of the way.

What Compensation Can I Seek?

If you were involved in an accident with a semi-truck in which you were not at fault, you may be entitled to compensation for any injuries you suffered and any damages incurred. Although every accident is unique, there are some areas of compensation that are quite frequent across in truck accident cases. Common areas of compensation include:Medical expenses (past and future)

  • Repair costs
  • Car rental fees
  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost wages (past and future)
  • Loss of companionship
  • Disfigurement or impairment
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Emotional distress

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?

Every state has a different time limit in which personal injury cases, such as semi-truck accidents, can be filed. These legal time limits are called “statutes of limitations.” Statutes of limitations vary state by state and can range from as little as one year to as long as six years.

This time limit is incredibly important to remember because if you were to file outside of the time limit your case may fail before it even had the chance to begin. For this reason, it is very important to consider consulting with an injury attorney to assure that you have all of your documents timely filed so that you have the opportunity to seek the compensation you deserve.

GET HELP FROM OUR 18-WHEELER ACCIDENT LAWYERS

At Zinda Law Group, our trucking attorneys have helped many 18-wheeler accident victims recover damages for medical bills, property damages, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. As one of our clients, you will pay nothing unless we win your case.

Call Zinda Law Group today at (512) 246-2224 to receive your FREE consultation with one of our truck accident lawyers.

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