After a truck accident caused by a negligent driver, trucking company, or other entities linked to the truck, you are entitled to compensation. The money received as compensation can help you cover medical bills, repair expenses, and other costs related to the crash. However, many truck accident victims end up receiving less than the amount they deserve.
The main reason for this is that victims are not aware that truck accident lawyers can help with their claim. They end up trying to recover damages alone. After a truck accident, a Folk Port truck accident lawyer can fight for your rights with the insurer or the court. In doing so, you’ll have a better chance of recovering your losses from the negligent party’s insurer.
Damages You Can Claim in a Fort Polk Truck Accident
If you suffer injuries of any degree due to the careless, negligent, or deliberate deeds of a truck driver or their employer, you can recover damages. These damages can fall into economic or non-economic categories.
Economic damages refer to the payment you receive for quantifiable monetary losses you faced due to the truck accident. They include medical expenses, current and future income loss, and destruction to your property.
Other economic damages may include:
- Repair costs to your car
- Transportation to medical appointments or work
- Car rental fees
Non-economic damages refer to the compensation you get for the non-quantifiable effects of the truck accident. They include things like loss of consortium, emotional distress, physical pain and suffering, and scarring from the crash. A Fort Polk truck accident lawyer can listen to you and examine case details to determine what damages you deserve compensation for. They can help you file a claim for both economic and non-economic damages.
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The Statute of Limitations and Your Truck Accident Claim
A statute of limitations is a time limit set by law within which you must file a lawsuit. The court will probably issue a case dismissal if you file a suit after the deadline passes. For injuries and accidents, Louisiana CC Art. 3492 puts the statute of limitations at one year starting from the day of the damage or injury.
There are some exceptions to the statute. It is best to consult a truck accident lawyer serving the Fort Polk area to understand your options.
Your case will likely get resolved out of court by settling with the insurance provider. But sometimes, you may fail to reach a settlement agreement and must file a lawsuit. A lawyer can help the claims process go by faster to ensure you do not miss the deadline to file a suit in case you cannot reach a settlement agreement.
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Reasons to Seek Help from a Fort Polk Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck accidents are complicated by nature. The involvement of numerous entities regarding liability and an aggressive defense put up by large insurance companies contribute to the complexity. But you do not have to shoulder all this burden alone.
Here is how a Fort Polk truck accident lawyer can help.
Collecting Proof
The attorney can help in collecting evidence to show the legitimacy of your claim and the cost of the losses you suffered. The proof can also help in establishing who is at fault for the truck crash. By arming themselves with sufficient evidence, a truck accident lawyer will have the ability to negotiate effectively with the trucking company’s insurer on your behalf.
Some of the evidence a lawyer can gather include a copy of the accident report and your medical reports, eyewitness statements, and video surveillance footage.
Establishing Liability
Louisiana is a fault state. This means that the responsible party in a truck accident has the role of covering resultant damages. There are several parties that may be responsible for your truck accident. They include:
- Truck drivers and trucking companies
- Repair shops
- Truck and parts manufacturers
- Cargo owners
- Government agencies or road maintenance contractors
A Fort Polk truck accident lawyer can help you conduct investigations to establish which of these parties is responsible for paying your damages.
Advice You on Handling the Insurance Company
After a truck accident, a representative from the truck company’s insurance provider will reach out to you. The insurer’s goal is to minimize the settlement amount, while yours is to maximize it.
An attorney from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can advise you on how to handle the insurance company so as not to put your claim at risk. For example, you should answer the questions the representative asks honestly. But do not give up details that are not asked for. Never apologize or make a statement that might shift blame onto you.
Negotiating on Your Behalf
A lawyer can draft a demand letter and send it to the insurer. This letter includes the claim amount that you want to settle for. The insurer can accept the claim amount. They may also give you a different offer or deny your claim.
It is more common for them to give you a counteroffer since they want to settle for a lower amount. A lawyer can represent you in such negotiations to try and get you a favorable offer.
Obtaining a Fair Settlement
Lawyers have sufficient resources to get the help of experts to bolster your claim. These experts include medical professionals and collision reconstruction specialists. With the help of these experts, you improve your chances of getting a fair truck accident settlement.
A lawyer can also evaluate the costs you incurred after the truck crash. They can then account for future costs in addition to these past expenses to come up with a fair settlement amount. If you do not consider future costs, you may end up paying for them out of pocket when the compensation amount runs out.
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Talk to a Fort Polk Truck Accident Lawyer Today
You deserve to get compensation for the negligent acts of the defendant in your truck accident case. A lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can advocate for this right on your behalf before the insurance company or a civil court. Talk to a Fort Polk truck accident lawyer today for a free case review.
Get The HelpYou Need(337) 777-7777To Schedule a FREE CONSULATION
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