A Forked Island truck accident lawyer handling your claim can improve the chances of you or your loved one recovering damages after a collision. A lawyer can establish negligence by investigating what caused the accident and which liable parties you can make a claim against.
The liable parties after a truck accident will do everything to reduce the financial loss they may face by compensating you. Negotiating with the liable parties without legal representation puts you at a disadvantage.
When Should You Make a Claim After a Truck Accident?
You should make a claim for damages as soon as possible after a truck accident. After the accident, ensure you or your loved one has received treatment for your injuries. The process of making a claim begins when you write a demand letter to the liable party’s insurance company.
The demand letter should outline the extent of your injuries and the accumulated cost of treatment. A personal injury lawyer can help you draft a demand letter and ensure that you can show why the other party is legally responsible for the accident. Do not admit fault or explain why you think the accident was partly caused by your mistake.
Louisiana is a comparative fault state, but admitting that you are partly liable could reduce the damages you can recover. The insurance company will likely bring up the issue of comparative negligence through their adjuster when you begin negotiations. The recoverable damages you should include in the demand letter are:
- Lost income
- Cost of repairs and property damage
- Current and any future cost of treatment for your injuries
- Any accident-related costs and non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering
You can include a settlement figure you think is appropriate. But consider consulting a Forked Island truck accident lawyer before writing your demand letter. A lawyer can also help you in correctly wording the demand letter to ensure that you do not say anything that the insurance adjuster may use against you later.
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The Value of Having a Truck Accident Lawyer on Your Side
A truck accident lawyer is of great value after a truck accident because they can help determine who is the liable party or parties. A lawyer can investigate and have a greater chance of gathering more evidence, such as video surveillance or cell phone records of the truck driver.
A lawyer can also get the employee records of the trucking company. This may help you establish that the trucking company is liable if they:
- Force their drivers to work more hours than the federally set limit
- Have poor hiring practices
- Do not train their drivers on safety measures
- Have a limited number of drivers
A lawyer can also dig into the history of the company and truck accidents. A lawyer can use this information to show that there is a precedence of the trucking company’s liability. Having a truck accident lawyer can help you gain invaluable counsel on what to do and what not to do immediately after the accident.
A truck accident lawyer can ensure that the claims process begins immediately. There is a set time limit on personal injury claims in Louisiana. According to CC Art. 3492, the statute of limitations is one year, and you can easily miss the deadline if your injuries are so severe and you do not have legal representation.
A lawyer can handle everything related to the claims processes, including representing you in court if are you physically unable to appear. A lawyer can also secure a fair settlement for you out-of-court by negotiating with the liable party’s insurer.
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What Leads to Truck Accidents in Forked Island
One of the leading causes of truck accidents is driving while the influence of drugs and alcohol. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that the number of truck drivers who used opioids doubled after March 2020. Drugs impair the judgment of truck drivers, making it difficult for them to properly operate the vehicle.
Failure to follow traffic laws is another key cause of truck accidents. One of the main traffic regulations that apply to truck drivers is not using the phone while driving. Trucks are much more difficult to operate than regular-sized vehicles. This is why truck drivers need to be fully focused on the road while working.
Improper loading or overloading is another factor that may lead to a truck accident in Forked Island. Poorly loaded cargo may shift while the vehicle is in transit or may spill onto the road, causing an accident. If loading is the cause of the accident, you can file a personal injury claim against the truck loaders.
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Determining the Value of Your Personal Injury Claim
The value of a personal injury claim depends on the cost of treating your injuries and repairing any damaged property. Many injured parties often undervalue their damages when negotiating with the liable party’s insurer.
A truck accident lawyer can accurately value your claim. The lawyer knows the economic and non-economic damages you can receive after a truck accident. For instance, you can get compensated for:
- Loss of income you would have received if not for the accident
- Emotional pain and psychological distress
- Loss of consortium
A personal injury lawyer can work with medical experts to correctly value the cost of your injuries. Working with Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, you do not have to worry about hiring costs for our attorneys because we work on a contingency fee policy.
The value of a truck accident may not be apparent until after investigations are complete. A Forked Island truck accident lawyer can do their own private investigation into what caused the accident and how much you can receive. This will protect your interests, especially if the other parties argue that you are partly at fault.
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Call a Forked Island Truck Accident Lawyer Today
A Forked Island truck accident lawyer is here to help if you or a loved one has sustained injuries in a truck accident. You do not have to pay anything unless we win your claim and ensure you get compensated. Contact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today and get a free consultation.
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