Nearly 5,000 drivers of large trucks were involved in fatal crashes within a single year. At least one-driver related factor was recorded for 33% of these crashes. The most common factors included speeding, distracted driving, and impairment.
If you were recently in an accident involving a truck, it’s important that you hire a truck accident lawyer in Houston right away. They can protect your best interests moving forward.
Otherwise, you might find yourself in the midst of a lawsuit without a full understanding of your legal options.
On the fence about hiring a truck accident attorney in Houston, TX? Read on to discover why it’s important to hire an attorney today.
Avoid Settling Too Soon
Any insurance companies involved in your auto accident claim will want to shut the case as soon as possible. Chances are, you want to put the situation behind you as well. However, it’s important that you avoid accepting any offers right away.
Instead, take the time to consult a truck accident attorney. They’ll ensure you don’t settle too soon.
If the other driver was at fault for the crash, you can prove their negligence caused your property damage, injuries, or other losses. Your lawyer will take the time to assess the situation and gather evidence. Then, they’ll make sure you have a well-thought-out legal strategy before you take action.
If the other party was at fault, the insurance company will want to pay you as little as possible for the accident. They might even try to delay paying off your claim.
Rushing could cost you the ability to fight for a larger settlement. Don’t make the mistake of accepting the first lowball offer you receive. Instead, let your lawyer determine the full extent of your losses.
They’ll ensure you consider your legal options before you make any final decisions.
Negotiate With Insurers
Remember, the insurance company will want to rush through the process. They don’t have your best interests in mind. In fact, they might try to take advantage of your current injured state.
If you’re currently on painkillers due to your injuries, you might struggle to make informed legal decisions. Knowing this, the insurance company might try to get you to speak out of turn. You might say something that implies you were at fault for the accident.
Before that can happen, consult your truck accident attorney. Look for a car accident lawyer in Houston, TX who has experience negotiating with insurance companies.
An experienced lawyer will know of the scare tactics many insurers use. They’ll ensure you don’t speak out of turn, which might impact your claim. Instead, they can handle negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf.
Meanwhile, you can focus on healing from your injuries, rather than the stress of these lengthy negotiations.
Calculate Full Losses
About 20 to 50 million people suffer non-fatal injuries after auto accidents every year. Many people develop long-term disabilities as a result. About 4.4 million people are injured seriously enough to require medical attention.
As a result, road crashes cost the US over $380 million in direct medical costs each year. The economic and societal impact has reached $871 billion, too.
If you were injured in a trucking accident, you’ll likely have to remain out of work for some time to heal. You’ll have to worry about medical expenses, including treatments, medications, and potentially surgery. You could struggle to pay for your medical expenses if you’re out of work.
Your auto accident attorney will take the time to assess the full extent of your losses. Losses can include:
- Existing medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished working capacity
- Lost quality of life
During your meeting with your truck accident attorney in Houston, bring all expenses relevant to your case.
If you don’t hire an attorney, you might not accurately estimate the full extent of your losses. You might neglect to consider your future losses, too. If you lack experience with similar cases, you could struggle to put a monetary amount to your pain and suffering as well.
Calculating the full extent of your losses will ensure you fight for the full amount of compensation you’re due.
Prove Fault
It’s sometimes difficult to determine who was at fault in a trucking accident. Fault can travel through a chain of individuals, companies, and in some cases, manufacturers. For example, many poor mechanics caused the accident.
Potential parties who were at fault might include the:
- Truck driver
- Car driver
- Owner of the truck
- Freight company
- Mechanic or repair shop
- Manufacturer of a faulty part
- Truck driver’s employer
- Cargo loading company
An experienced attorney will take the time to gather evidence relevant to your case. Then, they’ll determine who was at fault before holding the responsible party accountable.
Without a lawyer, you could struggle to determine who was at fault for the crash in the first place.
If you were at fault for the crash, another driver might try to sue you for compensation. Hiring an attorney will protect your interests. They can handle any cross- or counter-claims on your behalf, too.
Experience and Expertise
If you don’t have experience handling truck accident lawsuits, you could struggle to file an auto accident claim on your own. Take the time to search for an “experienced truck accident lawyer near me.” You can leverage their experience and expertise to review your legal options.
Hiring an attorney can also make sure you don’t make a costly mistake that can impact your claim.
For example, you could make a mistake when filing your claim. Even a small paperwork error can get your claim thrown out. If the case goes to court, you could struggle to maximize your compensation if you’re representing yourself.
Hiring an attorney will give you peace of mind. You’ll know someone is in your corner, fighting for your best interests.
Don’t Crash a Case: Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in Houston Today
Don’t try to handle a truck accident lawsuit alone. Instead, take the time to hire an experienced truck accident lawyer in Houston. Leveraging their experience and expertise can help you avoid making costly mistakes.
Instead, you’ll have an expert fighting at your side every step of the way.
Want to discuss your legal options with a member of our team? We’re here to help.
Contact us today to get started.