A truck accident lawyer can help you determine all the liable parties for your accident. This includes the truck driver, the trucking company, and others who may have contributed to your accident. Insurance companies may get you to admit details during a recorded phone call that they can use later to devalue your claim. Your attorney will know these tactics and avoid them.
Police Reports
One of the first steps after a truck accident is to file a police report. This records what happened and will help your attorney determine who is liable for your injuries. The police report will contain important information like the truck driver’s and their employer’s contact information, eyewitnesses’ names and statements, and a police officer’s assessment of what caused the crash. Your Wilk Law injury lawyer can use this information to build a strong case for your claim. Depending on your city, you can request a police report online or by phone. This is a good option if you cannot go to the police station in person or if the accident occurred outside your jurisdiction. The other option is to ask your attorney to do this for you.
Medical Records
Truck accidents can lead to severe injuries, such as broken bones, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries, often requiring surgery and significant medical expenses. Medical records are critical in supporting your claim, and providing official documentation of your injuries’ severity, duration, and nature. Truck drivers and their employers have a legal responsibility to operate their vehicles with reasonable care, and they can be held accountable for any damages resulting from their failure to do so. It is essential to know that insurance companies may not have your best interests at heart and may attempt to coerce you into accepting the lowest possible settlement. To avoid disclosing any information that could be used against you, it is strongly recommended that you seek assistance from a seasoned attorney who can determine the essential medical records for your case and submit them to the insurer only when necessary.
Witnesses
If the truck driver or their employer did something risky or negligent on the road that caused the accident, other drivers might have noticed. Eyewitnesses can help you get the compensation you deserve by providing details about the truck driver’s actions and what they saw at the accident scene. They can describe their observations of the road layout, traffic levels and conditions, weather, and other variables contributing to the collision. They can also discuss any injuries and property damage they observed at the scene. Expert witnesses can help you prove your injuries are severe and warrant a substantial compensation award. These include medical professionals who can explain the severity of your injuries. They can also provide opinions on future medical problems that you might have to face and their impact on your life. Vocational experts can also assist by describing what jobs you were qualified to do before the accident and what limitations your injuries now place on those job opportunities.
Insurance Company
If you get hurt in a truck accident, the parties responsible may have insurance companies that will try to pay you the least amount possible. However, with the help of an experienced truck accident lawyer, you can handle these insurers and prove your losses to receive the highest compensation you are entitled to. Your medical bills are one of the significant damages your attorney will fight for. They’ll review your medical records, including your injuries and the treatment you received. They will also calculate your future expenses, such as rehabilitation, medication, and lost wages. The trucks involved in the crash may have hazardous cargo, which makes it more complicated to determine who is liable for your accident. Other parties can be held liable, such as cargo loaders and brokers. The court will assess your case and assign you a percentage of fault, which can affect the amount you’re awarded.