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What Does a Trucking Accident Lawyer Do? | Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Tarun Sridharan Legal Editor & Attorney Contributor Read Time: 5 minutes

What Does a Trucking Accident Lawyer Do? | Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, chances are that you’ve been considering a lawsuit with the help of an experienced trucking accident lawyer.   Good plan!  The first step to securing compensation is exploring your legal options, and broaching the possibility with a lawyer is an excellent way to get started. 

Here at 1-800-THE-LAW2, we operate a network of truck accident attorneys practicing in your area.  We encourage you to call us today to get connected.  Consultation is free and confidential, so it’s worth it to have your case evaluated and for guidance on how best to proceed. 

As you make your way through the litigation process, a truck accident lawyer will take on a number of different responsibilities on your behalf.  Don’t go through this process alone.  Going at it alone will undermine your ability to secure compensation. 

For now, let’s walk through some basics. 

Truck Accident Liability: the Basics 

As with any other motor vehicle accident, truck accidents can be linked to a variety of “legally problematic” behaviors.  You’ll have to evaluate whether the defendant’s (a truck driver, for example) actions rose to the level of negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. 

Going through each of these in detail would fall outside the scope of this discussion, but let’s briefly explore negligence. 

All drivers have a responsibility to others on the roadway.  They have a “duty” to exercise reasonable care (under the circumstances) to avoid causing an accident.  Courts will evaluate a driver’s behavior by comparison to a similar “reasonable person” under those same circumstances.  If the driver acted out-of-step with the expected norm, and it caused an injury, then the court may find that they were negligent and liable.  The driver may be forced to pay compensation to the injured. 

Simple, right? 

Well, things tend to get more exciting (and more complicated) when they involve commercial trucking and trucking companies. 

Commercial Trucking, Big Rigs, Buses, and Other Unique Scenarios 

Depending on the case, the truck driver may not be the only party at-fault for causing your injuries.  Commercial vehicle accident lawyers understand that liability can extend to the driver’s employer, too. 

Thanks to a principle called “vicarious liability,” injury victims can sue and recover damages from a driver’s employer, so long as the driver was performing job responsibilities at the time of the accident.  So, for example, if you’re hit by a bus (that’s transporting passengers), you’d be entitled to sue the bus company. 

Why Bother Suing the Employer? 

Well, suing the employer is a brilliant strategic move.  Employers tend to have substantial insurance coverage, which can cover your damages in full.  They may also want to avoid the publicity of a lawsuit, and so are often more generous in making settlement offers. 

What Can a Truck Accident Attorney Do for Me? 

Truck accident attorneys are more than just advocates.  TV and movies have sold the public on the idea that attorneys are only around to “argue” with the opposition in court.  This is a myopic view of their responsibilities, however.  A truck accident attorney helps with all aspects of the claim, from start-to-finish: 

  • Gathering evidence, contacts, and other information 
  • Communicating with defendants, insurers, and other third parties on the plaintiff’s behalf 
  • Moving forward with a dynamic legal strategy 
  • Developing and presenting a persuasive legal argument  
  • Negotiating a settlement 
  • Submitting claims to insurers 
  • Investigating the truth through witness interrogations 
  • Pushing through to trial litigation if necessary 
  • Securing compensation after an award has been granted 
  • And more 

Phew!  That’s a lot.  So if you’ve been hit by a driver in a truck accident, no matter the situation (distracted driver, intoxicated driver, speeding driver, etc.), then you’ll want to consult with an experienced truck accident lawyer for guidance.  They will handle every aspect of your case so you don’t have to worry.  You can focus on recovering from your injuries and reintegrating yourself into everyday life. 

It’s worth noting that most injury lawyers operate on contingency.  They also offer free consultations.  This means that you don’t pay ANYTHING out of pocket until and unless you secure compensation.  At that point, they take a percentage cut of your overall compensation as a fee. 

Injured?  Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Free Consultation 

Were you injured in a truck accident?  Whether you were involved in an 18-wheeler crash or a semi truck crash (or even a bus collision), the law may entitle you to compensation.  It’s important to get in touch with a qualified truck accident lawyer ASAP for assistance.  Claims don’t last forever, so do speak to an attorney before the deadline “runs out.” 

Call us at 1-800-THE-LAW2 to get connected to an experienced trucking accident lawyer in just 10 minutes or less.  Consultation is free, and there’s no obligation to move forward if you decide you’d rather not. 

We look forward to helping you. 

Our offices are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so we can assist you no matter when your accident occurs.

Call 877-322-1161 Schedule A Consultation
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