The size and weight of trucks make them difficult to maneuver and can increase the risk that they may cause an accident. The main affected parties in a truck accident are car occupants or passengers. You should speak to an Avoyelles Parish truck accident lawyer if you or a loved one have sustained injuries in a truck accident.
The injuries sustained can be so severe that they result in death or take years to heal. This is why getting compensated after a truck accident is so important. It will help you make a fast recovery and ensure your family does not incur any significant financial loss.
Why You Should Call a Lawyer Immediately After a Truck Accident
Calling a truck accident lawyer should be the first decision you make immediately after a truck accident. A lawyer can arrive at the scene of the accident and begin taking steps that will ensure you recover damages.
The first thing a lawyer will do is to contact paramedics and inform them of the accident. Receiving medical attention is important even if you look fine or unscathed. A lawyer will take pictures and videos at the scene of the accident. Such images will help show the extent of property damage caused by the accident.
A lawyer may be able to determine the cause of the accident which might be:
- Driver fatigue
- Over-speeding
- Lane splitting and tailgating
- Drugs and alcohol impairing the judgment of the driver
- Driving while on the phone
How a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
A lawyer will survey the scene and collect contact information of anyone who might have witnessed the accident. A lawyer will also gather the other party’s insurance information. An Avoyelles Parish truck accident lawyer will contact your insurance provider and inform them of the accident.
A lawyer will ensure you get compensated by your insurance company if the liable party is not insured. A lawyer will also give you invaluable counsel on what to do and say after the accident. For instance, you should not say sorry or make any apology to the other party or parties involved in the accident.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientEvents Following a Truck Accident
The events following a truck accident often determine your ability to recover damages. If you wait too long, the liable party may be able to get rid of key evidence you may need to establish negligence.
You must inform the police and your insurance company of the accident. The police report will record your statement, which may later be useful when making your claim. The truck driver will inform their employer of the accident if they do not flee. The trucking company will dispatch their lawyers and inform their insurance provider.
If you contacted them and made a demand letter for damages, the insurance provider will investigate the accident through their insurance adjuster. Insurance adjusters have years of experience in forcing injured parties to accept a low settlement. Louisiana has comparative fault laws, and the insurance adjuster may argue that you are partly at fault.
You should note that insurance companies will try to minimize costs as much as possible. Without legal representation, recovering damages can be a frustrating process that can last for months.
The negotiation process may end up giving you a poor settlement. Having a truck accident lawyer by your side is the only way to ensure that the events following a truck accident do not adversely affect your ability to recover the damages you ought to receive.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientDo You Have to Go to Court to Recover Damages?
In some cases, you might have to go to court to recover damages after a truck accident. One of the instances where you will have to go to court is if there are multiple at-fault parties involved in the accident. The at-fault parties in a truck accident may include:
- The trucking company
- The truck driver
- Another driver
- The truck’s manufacturer
- You, the injured party
As the injured party, being at fault in Louisiana does not bar you from recovering damages. But the main liable parties will make it very difficult. This is why you may have to file a personal injury claim.
How Negligence Is Established When Recovering Damages
Going to court is also the best alternative for recovering damages if the liable party’s insurer denies your claim. The insurer may believe that you do not have the ability to prove that their client was negligent. Establishing negligence requires you to show:
- That a duty of care existed
- The liable party’s actions or inactions resulted in a breach of that duty
- The liable party’s breach of duty caused your injuries or property damage
Going to court is also the only avenue of recovering damages if the statute of limitations has lapsed. The set timeline for making a personal injury claim is two years. If you miss the deadline, you may still be able to consult an Avoyelles Parish truck accident lawyer.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientWhat Injuries Are Sustained in a Truck Accident?
The injuries from a truck accident are more severe as trucks weigh 20-30 times more than normal cars. The injuries may range from traumatic brain injuries to spinal cord injuries. These injuries have a high cost of treatment and permanently alter the life of the affected party.
Common injuries sustained in truck accidents are:
- Burns
- Fractured or broken bones
- Loss of limbs due to severe damage
The compensation you receive will be determined by the value of bodily injuries based on current and future medical expenses. The truck driver or the trucking company will be the party responsible for making the settlement. If the truck driver did not have insurance, you can get compensated through uninsured motorist coverage.
They treated us like no other people would. Whenever we needed something they were there for us. I put my trust in them and I don’t regret it.
ClientCall an Avoyelles Parish Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Having the right legal representation after a truck accident is essential to recovering full damages from the liable party. Talk to an Avoyelles Parish truck accident lawyer and find out more about the options available for getting compensated.
Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today and get a free consultation.
