Being involved in a semi-truck accident is one of the most terrifying and traumatic events that accident victims can experience. Large commercial trucks can weigh twenty times the weight of an average passenger vehicle. A collision with a commercial truck can cause serious injuries. If a truck driver or another party caused the truck crash that injured you, an experienced truck accident lawyer can help you demand full compensation for your injury-related losses.
After a serious truck accident, you may wonder what a truck accident lawyer does. A truck accident lawyer will handle all aspects of a case so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. The truck accident attorney will investigate the accident, identify who is financially responsible, negotiate with the insurance companies, and pursue a lawsuit if needed. Here are the ways a truck accident lawyer can help you with your case.
What a Truck Accident Lawyer Does?
A skilled Kentucky truck accident lawyer will handle the following aspects of your truck accident claim.
Conducting a Thorough Investigation
If you hire the Lexington truck accident attorneys at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer to represent you in a semi-truck case, you will have the resources of a law firm with decades of legal experience and a strong track record of favorable outcomes. While previous cases are not predictive of future outcomes, they do reflect our experience handling truck accident cases involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful death.
As our personal injury lawyers gather information and evidence, they will focus the investigation on:
- How the tractor-trailer crash occurred
- How the accident led to your injuries
- Which truck driver, trucking company, truck manufacturer, or other at-fault party should bear financial liability for your losses
Calculating the Value of Your Losses
Many accident victims who suffer severe injuries in a truck accident are unaware of how much compensation they should seek in a personal injury case. Serious injuries generate tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills. An experienced truck accident lawyer will analyze the medical expenses, lost wages from missed work, and future medical needs and expenses to determine the amount of compensation you can rightfully demand.
Handling Negotiations with Insurance Adjusters
Insurance adjusters are trained professionals who negotiate claim settlements on a regular basis. They use various pressure tactics to pressure truck accident victims to accept lowball settlement offers and minimize the compensation the insurance carrier pays out to close claims. As an accident victim, you are at a disadvantage in dealing with an insurance carrier on your own. A skilled personal injury attorney is familiar with the tactics that insurance companies use and can negotiate aggressively for full and fair compensation on your behalf.
Filing Legal Action
If the insurance company refuses to agree to a fair settlement, your attorney can file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf and present your case in court. While this step occurs only in a small percentage of personal injury cases, you need an experienced trial lawyer who can confidently handle your case before a judge and jury if your case must go to court.
Initiating Discovery
Discovery is a pre-trial process that allows lawyers from both sides to learn more about the other party’s evidence and approach to the case. Having an experienced attorney on your side may help you acquire information that could allow you to settle before a courtroom trial begins.
Representing You at Trial
A court can be intimidating, even if you feel confident about the strength of your case. Working with our skilled truck accident lawyers should set your mind at ease as they fight for your rights and the verdict you deserve.
The Importance of Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer
While some people try to handle truck accident injury cases on their own, they often end up feeling frustrated and overwhelmed when dealing with the trucking industry and big insurance companies. People who represent themselves typically don’t understand the fair value of their case and receive lower amounts to settle claims.
Working with an experienced Kentucky truck accident lawyer can help you develop the strongest case for compensation. Our Kentucky Courage truck accident lawyers know how to deal with insurance adjusters’ tactics. They understand the safety regulations that commercial truck drivers must follow and the types of evidence needed to build a compelling case, and they understand how to use the prospect of a courtroom trial as an effective bargaining strategy. Your attorney’s knowledge of personal injury law and trusted guidance should give you some peace of mind about your serious accident claim as you can focus on your health and recovery.
What To Expect When Working with a Truck Accident Lawyer
Working with an experienced truck accident lawyer can make the claims process more understandable and predictable. Here’s what you can expect when you work with an experienced truck accident attorney after a truck crash:
- Initial Consultation: A lawyer will meet with you and discuss the details of the accident and your injuries and explore your legal options. They’ll ask questions to understand how the crash happened, who was at fault, and the full extent of your losses.
- Investigation: If the attorney takes your case, the attorney will launch an investigation into the accident. They may visit the scene, take measurements and photos, interview witnesses, obtain police reports, and gather other evidence.
- Demand Letter: Once your lawyer has a clear picture of the accident and your losses, the lawyer will identify the insurance company that has financial responsibility for the accident and submit demand letters to the at-fault party’s insurance company. This letter outlines your losses and the compensation you are seeking.
- Negotiations: Your lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company to seek the maximum compensation available.
- Litigation: If the insurance company won’t negotiate reasonably, your attorney may file a lawsuit.
- Settlement: A settlement may be negotiated up until a jury reaches a verdict. Once you accept a settlement, the case is over, and your lawyer will ensure you receive your compensation.
Our truck accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. You won’t be charged any legal fee until we obtain a court award or settlement for you.
How Much Is My Truck Accident Case Worth?
Every tractor-trailer accident is unique, and the compensation you receive will depend on various factors pertaining to your case. You may be eligible to seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income due to missed work
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
Talk to our Lexington personal injury attorneys today if you want to get an idea of how much compensation you can reasonably expect to demand in a semi-truck accident lawsuit.
What Happens If My Truck Accident Case Goes to Trial?
While truck accident lawsuits typically settle out of court, our Kentucky Courage attorneys will be prepared to take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation. Here’s what you can expect if your case goes to trial:
- Court Filings: Your lawyer will file documents with the court as required throughout the litigation process.
- Trial: At trial, your attorney will present witness testimony, expert testimony from accident reconstruction specialists, and other evidence to a judge and jury.
- Verdict: The court will decide if the defendant is liable and award damages. Your lawyer will fight for full compensation for your losses.
- Settlement: Even after a trial verdict, the insurance company may offer a settlement rather than pursuing an appeal. Your attorney will advise you on accepting or rejecting any settlement offer.
Contact a Kentucky Truck Accident Lawyer Today
If you have suffered serious injuries in a truck accident in Kentucky, you are well advised to seek the guidance of an experienced personal injury lawyer. The Lexington truck accident lawyers at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer are here to fight for your rights as a truck accident victim. We have the courage to stand up to truck owners and big insurance companies and demand compensation that will allow you to move forward with your life. Call our Kentucky truck accident lawyers today at (877) 809-5352 or contact our law firm online for a free consultation to learn more about how our law firm can help you.
