How to File a Truck Accident Claim
February 25, 2019 | Truck Accidents
If you are injured in a truck accident, an essential post-accident step is getting legal guidance for your case. Your lawyer can provide financial assistance for you and your family during this difficult time and guide you through the process of filing a powerful truck accident claim against the at-fault truck driver.
What is Included in a Truck Accident Claim?
An essential element of getting the most compensation for your case is a powerful claim. A truck accident claim should include a detailed demand letter that states the damages you’re claiming, evidence from the accident to support your claim, copies of your medical and police report from the crash, and other supporting documentation from the accident. It can be overwhelming to figure out this process, but with an experienced lawyer by your side, you can rest assured that a compelling truck accident claim is filed for your case. After all, your lawyer’s job is to make dealing with your case easier for you and your family, ensure that you’re taken care of, and that your claim receives the most compensation possible.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover with a Truck Accident Claim?
Many different factors are involved in a truck accident. Every accident is different, so it’s impossible to say exactly which damages you’ll be able to recover for your case without discussing the details. When you consult with a lawyer about your case, they can analyze your case’s strengths and weaknesses, discuss your options, and give you a potential outcome for your truck accident claim. The most common types of damages that are included in a truck accident claim are:
- Property damage that was caused in the accident, and any out-of-pocket expenses that arose such as repair costs, rental car fees, and more
- Medical bills from the accident, ambulance fees, out-of-pocket expenses for medical accessories, medicine, and anything else that is required to treat your injuries from the crash
- Lost wages caused by the accident. If injuries prevent you from working, you can no longer perform the daily functions of your job, or you have missed out on other forms of income because of your injuries from the crash, these can all be claimed
- Pain and suffering is a symptom that commonly accompanies injuries from a traumatic accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, in 2010 the U.S. paid over $1 trillion in damages for loss of productivity and loss of life because of motor vehicle crashes. Pain and suffering damages are defined as mental, emotional, or physical distress that is caused by being injured in a traumatic accident
- If you lost a loved one to a truck accident, you could be eligible to claim damages that your deceased loved one could have claimed from the accident. In addition to this, spouses can claim loss of affection or “loss of consortium”
It’s important to keep in mind that not everyone is eligible to recover damages for their case, but with a valid truck accident claim and an experienced lawyer by your side, your case has the best chance possible of recovering damages.
Should I File a Claim If I Am At-Fault for a Truck Accident?
If you are at-fault in an accident involving a large truck, it’s critical to consult an attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney has your case’s best interests at heart and can give you advice for your case. Consulting a lawyer might seem like an unnecessary step, but truck drivers are heavily insured by big insurance companies that can be difficult to deal with. Your lawyer can defend your claim against the other party, negotiate for the lowest possible settlement for your responsibility in the crash, and make sure that you and your family are taken care of during this trying time. The fault for an accident doesn’t always solely fall on one party; in some cases, fault can be 50/50 between two drivers in a crash, 70/30, or another distribution of responsibility. The truck driver’s insurance company will more than likely try to blame the fault for the accident solely on you, but your experienced truck accident lawyer can push against them to display the facts of the situation and recover damages depending on your state’s rule of fault and negligence for accidents.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me With My Truck Accident Claim?
The difference between filing a truck accident claim with or without a lawyer can potentially be thousands of dollars in lost damages. With more than 4,000 deaths caused in the U.S. by large trucks, this is a significant amount to miss out on. If you have been in a truck accident, your attorney can ensure that you receive the most damages for your suffering. Without proper guidance, the other party’s insurer could take advantage of your lack of legal knowledge and get you to accept a lower settlement, attempt to obtain an incriminating statement while you are vulnerable after the crash, and use other tactics that could have a detrimental impact on your case’s outcome.
Speak to a Truck Accident Lawyer About Your Case Today
Accidents are always terrible, but truck accidents can be particularly difficult. If you or someone you love has been in an accident that involves a large truck, you must speak with a lawyer immediately about your case. Not only will hiring a lawyer give your case a higher chance of recovering damages, but it ensures that if the truck driver is at fault for your injuries, they’ll face consequences for their negligence that could save another driver on the road. If you need a lawyer to guide you through the process of dealing with your truck accident case, contact the Dixon Injury Firm today. Our Truck Accident Attorneys offer free consultations, are available 24/7 to help victims, and can help you quickly file a compelling truck accident claim for your case.