Whether it is worth hiring a truck accident lawyer after you suffer injuries in a truck accident really depends on several things. Probably the most influential factor is the damages suffered by the victim in the truck accident. If the insurance coverage from the does not sufficiently cover the costs of the lawyer while still providing the victim enough left to cover their losses, it is probably not worth hiring a lawyer.
In fact, lawyers must follow an ethical code when determining the reasonable fees they should charge their clients. This ethical code on fees influences their decision on whether they should even take your case, as explained by the American Bar Association.
That said, there are other factors to consider when deciding to hire a truck accident lawyer.
The Severity of Your Damages
You are probably not going to need a lawyer if you did not suffer any damages or any significant injuries in a car accident. On the other hand, accidents involving trucks can be quite devastating. Trucks are large, heavy vehicles designed to move large quantities of goods or bring services to customers.
Yes, there is the possibility that your accident was a simple fender bender, but if you suffered injuries that required you to stay in a hospital to recover, or you lost a loved one from the accident, you may want to consider hiring a truck accident lawyer.
Anytime an accident has left you with large medical bills or time away from work, you might find the services of a lawyer beneficial for no other reason than it gives you the opportunity to heal or mourn without having to pursue compensation during the difficult times.
You could also consider hiring a lawyer if the accident left you suffering emotional trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as explained here by the Mayo Clinic. If there were multiple victims, which in truck accidents is highly probable, it could also be a determining factor when deciding if you want legal representation.
Basically, the higher the potential compensation, the more it becomes worth hiring a lawyer to help you collect compensation.
The Behavior of the Insurance Companies
Another factor that could influence your decision to hire a lawyer is the behavior you receive from the insurance companies. If the insurance companies are amenable and communicating with you regularly, you may not feel hiring a lawyer is warranted. If they offer you a settlement that you feel covers all your losses, again, you may be satisfied with the results.
We would recommend, though, that you be sure that all your losses, both current and future, are fully covered. Especially be sure that your doctor releases you from any future medical care. You do not want to accept a settlement and then discover later that you require further surgery or care and have to pay for those services out of your own pocket.
The advantage of hiring a lawyer in this regard is he or she is impartial and can act as your advocate. A lawyer can handle all communication between yourself and the insurance companies. They can negotiate on your behalf for the actual value of the losses you may have incurred.
The Complications of a Truck Accident Claim
Normally in a car accident, you are dealing with one at-fault driver and his or her insurance company. Truck accidents tend to be more complicated. Not only can the losses be greater, but the number of parties can increase as well, and each may share in the liability.
In a truck accident, the possible liable parties could include:
- The driver: investigations could determine that the driver alone was responsible for your accident due to negligence, such as failing to maintain a safe stopping distance or driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- The truck owner/trucking company: anytime an employee is in an accident, the employer is responsible under the principle of respondeat superior, per the Legal Information Institute (LII). The trucking company could be negligent due to hiring practices or improper loading.
- The truck or parts manufacturer: the cause of your truck accident could be due to a part failing, such as the brakes or tires. If that were the cause, the manufacturer could be liable in your truck accident claim.
- The mechanic: if the truck was not regularly maintained, such as not replacing worn tires, the party responsible for the regular maintenance of the truck could be liable.
- The municipality: roads under construction without adequate protections in place, or poorly maintained lightning, the party responsible for the upkeep and safety on the roads could be liable as well.
One or all of these parties could carry some degree of liability in your truck accident case, and each could have a separate insurer to deal with. Because of this complexity of multiple possible liable parties, some victims hire a truck accident lawyer.
The Laws in Your State
Finally, there are the laws themselves. From federal regulations to state laws, you may feel inundated by the various legal issues that could affect your case. Simply being sure to meet the right statute of limitations’ deadline on your case can become overwhelming. A truck accident lawyer could help clarify those factors for you.
Call Us Today
If you would like to know if it is worth hiring a truck accident lawyer in your case, call Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (800) 235-0444 today. A member of our team can review your case and let you know your legal options in a free, no-obligation consultation.
