Do I Need To Hire An Attorney After A Truck Accident?~3 min read
A truck accident can be costly for both parties. Personal injuries and damage may leave you wondering if you should hire an attorney. While you can file a claim for compensation on your own, it won’t always put you in the best position. Springer & Lyle shares several reasons why you may need to hire an attorney.
Rules vary by state
The law is rarely cut and dry. Rules can be different depending on the state or even the city. Some laws monitor how much you can get for personal injuries. Other rules may also have to do with the deadlines to file suit and provide notice. If you’re not familiar with your state regulations, you may want to consult with someone who is. Otherwise, leave it up to your attorney. They’ll know what applies to your unique case.
Your case is time sensitive
Filing a personal injury lawsuit may be an urgent matter in a trucking case. Procrastinating could mean losing the ability to recover damages because evidence was not preserved. Statutes of limitations vary by the type of legal action and state laws. For instance, the statute of limitations for a personal injury case is generally two years in Texas but, there may be exceptions.
In a trucking case, federal law usually applies in addition to state laws on some issues. If the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations apply to your case, the trucking company can legally destroy key documents in just a few months of the date of the incident. These documents can include driver’s daily logs and vehicle inspection reports which can be key evidence in a case. Because of this, we recommend you get a legal opinion as soon as possible to help preserve evidence.
Knowing what you’re entitled to
There may be limits on how much you can receive for your damages in a truck accident. What you can recover depends on several factors. Medical expenses, mental anguish, loss of quality of life, permanent impairment, disfigurement, court costs, and reimbursement of medical expenses to health insurance companies must all be considered. Experienced attorneys are trained in evaluating cases and can be really helpful in a trucking case.
Expertise: knowledge of the law
Filing documents in court is only the beginning of the paperwork. You must also take measures to prove your case. That could include evidence like medical bills, doctors’ statements, and witness statements which must be in admissible form. You may also need insurance information, expert testimony, or police reports. Be prepared to invest time, money, and lots of legwork for a chance at winning.
Understanding the protocol
Unless you are extremely familiar with lawsuits, you may not fully grasp the details of how the process works. Experienced personal injury attorneys have dealt with countless accident cases. They know what works and how to seek remedies for damages. Working with an attorney may give you peace of mind and a better chance of walking away with just compensation.
Most people need to hire an attorney after a truck accident. Whether or not it’s the best decision for you depends on the extent of your injuries and the complexity of your case. It’s best to at least start with a free consultation. That way you know where you stand and what to look forward to throughout the lawsuit.
