Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer

Injuries, property damage, and loss of income are just a few of the reasons why you may need the services of a truck accident lawyer. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, you may be able to pursue compensation from the responsible party. However, you may need to prove that the negligent party was responsible for the condition that caused the accident. Whether a trucking company failed to provide proper training for their drivers or simply allowed them to work longer shifts, negligence, or even driver fatigue may be grounds for compensation.

Injuries

Injuries from a truck accident can be devastating. Oftentimes, victims are left unable to work for months or even years. Moreover, they can suffer from brain and spinal cord injuries, multiple broken bones, and even brain damage. Hence, they need an attorney to help them recover compensation for the damages they suffered. In addition, a truck accident lawyer can calculate the pain and suffering a victim has already endured, as well as potential future injuries.

Property damage

Property damage after a truck accident may include personal belongings that are damaged. If you had purchased a new laptop or phone, or had merchandise destroyed, you can claim the cost of repairing your personal property. You may also be eligible to claim replacement value for ruined clothing or eyeglasses. Your attorney will determine the exact value of your belongings and negotiate with the semi truck driver’s insurance adjuster to get you the maximum reimbursement.

Loss of income

A loss of income after a truck accident is a common type of personal injury claim. These claims often involve lost income from missed work and decreased earning capacity. The amount of compensation you can receive depends on the circumstances surrounding your accident, including age, health, and previous employment. You can also claim pain and suffering and emotional damages. This article will discuss how loss of income can affect your claim. The following are some examples.

Negligence

The role of a truck accident lawyer in proving that a driver was negligent is very similar to proving fault in any other form of automobile accident. In order to succeed in a truck accident case, a representative of the victim must demonstrate that the truck driver violated the duty of reasonable care by driving erratically, running a stop sign, improperly changing lanes, or failing to stop in time.

Time limits for filing a lawsuit

There are time limits for filing a lawsuit against a negligent truck driver or trucking company. These time limits vary from state to state, but they are generally within one to six years from the date of the crash. Whether you are a pedestrian or a car passenger, the statute of limitations will depend on the type of accident you were involved in. A lawyer can help you determine which time limits apply to your case.

Tools a truck accident lawyer uses

Among the tools a truck accident lawyer uses are electronic logging devices and crash recorders. These devices give truck accident attorneys bulletproof proof that a driver was following HOS requirements at the time of the collision. In the past, shipping industry lawyers had fiercely fought this mandate, but now ELDs are the standard for the transportation industry. An event data recorder can measure many factors, such as speed, steering angle, and more. Like black boxes used in commercial aircraft, large vehicle EDRs are sophisticated and difficult to use. Grand Rapids truck accident attorneys must know the tools of large vehicle EDRs to maximize their case value.