Did you know that a whopping 3.5 million people work as truck drivers in America? That means driving trucks is one of the biggest occupations in our country!
With those kinds of numbers on the road, though, there’s bound to be accidents. Were you involved in a truck-related accident? If so, then your case might get handled in a different way than a traditional car accident.
Truck accident settlements and verdicts are often time-consuming. There’s a lengthy investigation, and your injuries are likely significant. Read on to learn how your case will proceed.
Phase One: The Investigation
First, your accident will get investigated by the police and your insurance company. The trucking company may conduct an investigation, too.
During this process, everyone will try to determine what happened and who was at fault. Investigators will attempt to figure out:
- What caused the accident
- Whether the trucker was following the law
- Whether the trucking company was negligent
- Whether the other driver was negligent
Depending on the situation, it could take weeks or months to locate all the evidence.
Phase Two: Medical Treatment and Other Losses
While investigations are underway, you need to seek out medical care. If you got into an accident with a truck, then your injuries were likely significant.
Never take a “wait and see” approach when it comes to getting in a truck accident. Not only could you make your injury worse, but you could risk any future settlement, too. Delaying medical care could cost you big time in the future.
On top of that, you may not realize you’re injured right away. Adrenaline and fear can mask even life-threatening injuries.
Once you have a diagnosis and care plan, you can start to seek out recourse.
Before you get started, be sure to consider other accident-related losses you suffered. Did you miss time off of work? Was your car totaled? Tally up these significant values, and get documentation to prove them, too.
Phase Three: Lawsuits, Settlements, and Verdicts
When your losses are high, it’s time to seek out a truck accident attorney. They’ll help you file a lawsuit against the responsible party. Based on your evidence, the party may decide to settle outside of court.
Otherwise, you’ll want a lawyer who will take your case to trial.
Truck Accident Settlements and Verdicts: An Overview
Truck accident settlements and verdicts take time to achieve. An investigation will start as soon as you reach out to the police. From there, you’ll need to get medical treatment for your injuries. You’ll also want to add up all your other losses, too.
Then, you’ll need to determine who was liable for your accident. If you weren’t at fault, then you’ll likely want to pursue legal recourse. That’s when the lawsuit will begin.
From start to finish, it’s best to hire an attorney to help handle your claim. Otherwise, you could end up bearing the costs of your losses. Keep browsing through our blog for more important tips to help you thrive in 2021.
