When to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured in a truck accident or you lost a loved one in a collision with a semi truck, the time to hire an attorney is: as soon as possible. The clock starts ticking on your claim immediately, and any delay can cost valuable evidence.

A truck accident lawyer can discuss your legal options after the crash, investigate the accident on your behalf, and pursue compensation for your losses. In order to do all of this effectively, it is important to take action sooner rather than later.

For immediate assistance after a truck accident, please call the Karl Truman Law Office at (502) 222-2222 today for a free case evaluation. Our lawyers serve clients in Louisville and throughout Kentucky.

Why You Should Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer ASAP

Truck accidents are unique from other kinds of motor vehicle accident claims. In most cases the injuries people suffer are more serious, more parties are involved in litigation, and the damages are higher.

Although it is in your best interest to hire a truck accident lawyer regardless of the circumstances of the crash, taking this step is especially important in the following circumstances:

1. You Are Seriously Injured

If you are hurt through no fault of your own, you should contact an attorney to protect your rights. Given the high probability of serious injury, consulting a lawyer after a truck accident is crucial.

Some of the serious injuries that may occur in a truck accident include:

• Brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Burn injuries
• Loss of limbs
• Scarring and other disfigurement

Catastrophic injuries are the rule rather than the exception in a truck accident. Your lawyer will take into account the seriousness of your injuries and the other losses you have suffered to determine the amount of compensation you may be due.

2. Liability for the Accident Is Disputed

Even if the truck driver was 100 percent at fault for the accident, you should still speak to an attorney as soon as possible. The insurer for the trucking company will immediately investigate the accident and attempt to find some evidence that lets them off the hook.

If multiple vehicles were involved in the accident, more than one party may be at fault. This also means that multiple insurance companies will be involved in the subsequent litigation, which will make your claim more complicated.

3. The Insurance Company Attempts to Contact You

Given the speed with which insurance companies investigate truck accidents, it should come as no surprise that the insurer(s) will try to resolve potential claims as soon as possible. The call from the insurance company often comes when you are at your most vulnerable: when you are recovering from your injuries or mourning the loss of a loved one.

The insurance adjuster may seem sympathetic to your situation. Unfortunately, insurance company employees are trained to put people at ease in an effort to undercut potential claims.

If the representative for the insurance company asks you to answer questions about the accident, make a recorded statement, or sign a medical release, don’t. You should speak to a lawyer as soon as possible, and direct the insurer to your attorney for any further requests.

4. The Insurance Company Offers You a Settlement

The insurance company may offer to settle your case even before you file a claim. This is an effort to prevent litigation, which is time-consuming and expensive for the company.

If you are facing expenses after being seriously injured or losing a loved one, the settlement may look attractive. However, the amount offered likely represents only part of your losses from the truck accident.

An experienced lawyer will investigate the truck accident and calculate the value of your damages. In most cases, you are entitled to much more for your losses than the insurance company is willing to offer.

Your truck accident lawyer may be able to pursue compensation for:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Disability
• Loss of consortium
• Wrongful death damages, if you lost a loved one in the accident:
  • Funeral expenses
  • Cost of burial or cremation
  • Loss of financial contributions
  • Loss of household support
  • Loss of consortium

It is in your best interest to hire a lawyer to handle settlement negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf. This will allow you and your family to focus on healing instead of your legal claim.

5. Your Case Goes to Trial

Given the amount of damages at stake in your claim, it may not be possible to negotiate a settlement. If this comes to pass, your case will need to be decided in court.

Insurance companies know which lawyers will take cases to trial and which ones prefer to settle. You need an experienced trial lawyer who can handle your truck accident claim in court. Your attorney will prepare your case by collecting relevant evidence, enlisting expert witnesses to testify on your behalf, and more.

More Reasons to Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer Now

The time to hire a lawyer after a truck accident is not confined to these situations. It is always worth consulting an attorney after you have been seriously hurt or lost a family member, especially when a semi truck is involved.

Additional reasons to contact a lawyer after a truck accident include:

1. Understanding your legal options. When you speak to a lawyer shortly after the accident, you will know the options available to you for filing a claim. You will also have an advocate who can act on your behalf if the insurance company tries to contact you.
2. Evidence at the scene won’t last long. The damaged vehicles and debris will be quickly cleared from the scene, and the roadway and surrounding structures may be repaired in due time. Your lawyer will make investigation of the scene a priority and start building your claim by collecting physical evidence, documenting conditions, and more.
3. Records from the trucking company may be lost. Truck drivers and trucking companies are required to maintain a variety of records documenting their operations. These records, however, can be discarded after a certain amount of time. As it pertains to the truck accident in which you were injured, you should speak to a lawyer as soon as possible in order to obtain the relevant documentation.
4. Witness testimony may change with time. Witnessing a truck accident may seem like something you would never forget. However, recollections of the event can become hazy if too much time passes. Your lawyer will interview witnesses to the accident promptly in order to record their testimony while the memories are still fresh.
5. Multiple parties may be at fault. Timely investigation may find evidence that a defective component on the truck or an issue with the cargo contributed to the accident. You may be able to recover compensation from the manufacturer, the shipping company, and/or other parties, but evidence of negligence or wrongdoing on their part needs to be gathered swiftly.

Read more about What to Do After a Truck Accident.

Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one was injured, or a member of your family was killed, in a truck accident, the Karl Truman Law Office can help. You can count on our truck accident lawyers to investigate the crash and build a strong case on your behalf to recover the full compensation you deserve.

Please call (502) 222-2222 today for a free consultation. Our lawyers serve clients in truck accident claims in Louisville and throughout Kentucky, as well as Indiana.