Understanding How to Protect Yourself After an Accident
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Accidents involving big commercial trucks will lead to severe injuries. They might impact the victim’s livelihood for the rest of their life. While detailed investigations are conducted to establish the cause of the accident, you will need extensive care to recover from your injuries.
The McCallister Law Firm emphasizes the importance of calling 911 immediately after a truck crash. You must receive prompt medical intervention to increase your chances of recovery. Law enforcement officials will investigate the cause of the accident to establish liability.
Nevertheless, truck accident investigations are complex and lengthy. At least some legal experts will be necessary to receive the proper compensation for your losses. A qualified attorney will seek damages on your behalf, including lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress and disability. Here’s some information about how truck accidents are investigated and some steps that will help you receive compensation for your injuries.
Collect Information and Evidence
The first information you will need is the truck’s license plate, trucking company name, the exact names and addresses of everyone involved and witnesses, and the insurance company data. Other essential information is police reports, witness statements, photos, and videos from the accident scene.
The Federal Motor Carry Regulation holds trucking companies to higher standards due to the danger their heavy vehicles impose on the roads. To establish that the truck driver or the trucking company is at fault, you will have to prove that the accident’s cause was their negligence. Law enforcement officials will look for any design flaws or failed parts the truck might have. Additionally, they will consider any oversight regarding the hiring process or supervision of the truck driver.
Proving Liability
To receive much-needed compensation, it’s essential to determine who is liable for the accident. This is a complex process as different parties could be at fault, depending on the case. Whoever is found driving while under the influence will receive the full blame.
Speeding and not conforming to road regulations can also lead to liability. However, the truck driver is not the only one who could be responsible for the accident. Trucking companies can be liable if they do not do a thorough examination of the truck or if they ignore specific safety regulations. Otherwise, these companies could push the driver to meet unrealistic deadlines, causing him distress, sickness and lack of sleep, leading to unfortunate incidents.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
Trucking and insurance companies have teams of investigators that respond to the truck accident scene in a short while. You, as the injured party, might not have the same resources. As evidence is essential to prove liability, you will need a good law firm on your side to investigate the crash scene and obtain much-needed evidence.
Truck accidents can lead to long-term injuries and fatalities. Trucking companies could be quick to offer you a settlement, but accepting it might not be in your favor. The settlement they propose could be far from what you need to cover your medical bills. In this case, having a personal injury lawyer to fight for you will bring you much favorable compensation. Your attorney will interview witnesses, hire experts to reconstruct the accident scene and other specialists, obtain police reports, and much more while you rest and heal.