18 wheeler accident lawyer, “I was hit by a tractor trailer and was left with a large gash on my leg and arm. I have been out of work and my insurance premium is sky high. What should I do now?” This is the question many people face when they are involved in a serious accident that was not their fault and they are left with the injuries that they suffer.
If you were injured in a trucking accident, you are entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. The first thing you will need to do is contact a Scranton based 18 wheeler accident attorney. An experienced truck driver accident attorney can assess your case and determine whether you have a legitimate claim or if you should file a claim with the federal motor carrier safety administration. You may also be entitled to additional compensation from the trucking company if their insurance policy covers your accident.
It is important to remember that there are different laws in every state, and that these laws change frequently. Therefore, you will need to obtain the best information possible about your case and then contact a truck accident lawyer near you who is experienced in personal injury cases. No matter what happens, you will want to contact an attorney who is highly skilled in personal injury litigation. A truck accident lawyer near you can advise you on whether or not you have a legitimate claim, and how much your compensation should be. You will want to discuss this thoroughly with your personal injury lawyer before proceeding.
One thing that is absolutely essential in regard to large truck accidents is that you must be sure that you report the accident as soon as possible. If you wait several hours or a day to report your accident, you may find that the insurance company has already provided you with a replacement van for the same accident that occurred several weeks ago. This can result in a never ending series of frustrating situations. If you call the police right away after the accident, the officers will begin their investigation. They will try to speak to any witnesses they can find to try to determine the cause of the accident, which could take a while.
Many states require that all personal drivers report accidents involving large trucks to the state insurance company within 24 hours. If you are not a good driver, it may not be easy to convince the insurance company that you were not at fault for the accident. On the other hand, if you are skilled enough to operate a large truck, your chances of convincing the insurance company that you are not responsible are quite good. This is why big rigs are often advised to hire 18 wheeler truck accident lawyers who can drive the trucks around and present your case to the insurance company from a professional standpoint.
Another important aspect of your case is making sure that you do not sign or release any documents or allow any photographs to be taken by the insurance adjuster or police officer without your permission. Insurance companies do not make allowances for people who operate large vehicles on the road. If you decide to allow an insurance adjuster to take pictures of the accident or sign any documents, you are essentially inviting them to tamper with evidence. It would also be advisable to keep any receipts or invoices for any medical expenses, lost time from work, or any other expenses relating to your injuries. Not only can these invoices give the insurance company an opportunity to try and diminish your losses, but it can also damage your reputation in the community if it is discovered that you were allowing a professional to photograph or record the damage on your behalf.
The insurance company has every right to ask for a witness to corroborate their initial assessment of the accident as well as an assessment of your injuries. However, insurance adjusters in many cases will simply refuse to take testimony from anyone. If they do, your credibility will be damaged and it could severely impede or even end your ability to file a lawsuit against the other driver. This is why many victims choose to simply sign their own checks or have someone else sign for them in their stead.
In addition to trying to save money by avoiding having to pay for your own medical bills or paying for the associated fees of an attorney, it is also important to retain your own legal counsel. Many individuals assume that they are fully protected by the trucking company’s own insurance policy, but this is often not the case. If you have suffered serious injuries, you may need to get a private lawyer to represent your claim. The trucking company is likely not going to provide you with legal representation because it is merely trying to cut costs and because they view their medical bills and injury claims as being less important than winning the case for you. It is up to you to retain a legal team who is highly skilled in personal injury cases and will aggressively fight to get you the compensation that you deserve.
