Last Updated: April 2nd, 2024
Truck accidents are different from other motor vehicle accidents. One of the most important differences is that commercial trucks are so much larger and heavier than cars and other vehicles on the road. A semi-truck pulling an empty trailer weighs about 35,000 pounds–about 10 times the weight of a small SUV. A fully-loaded semi can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. That means they can do a lot more damage, especially when colliding with a much smaller vehicle.
Because of the high risk associated with big truck accidents and the greater difficulty of operating a large truck, these vehicles are more heavily regulated than other vehicles. Those regulations form a web of state and federal laws that can make truck accident cases different and more complicated than other motor vehicle accident cases.
Reasons to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer Right Away
Some of the reasons you’ll want to hire an attorney soon after a truck wreck are the same as in any motor vehicle accident case. For example:
Insurance Companies Aren’t On Your Side
No matter how friendly they seem or how much they tell you they “want to get that check out to you” because they know you’re under stress, they have one goal: to save the insurance company money. When you hire an experienced truck accident attorney, they take over interactions with the insurance company.
It’s Easy to Make Mistakes that Can Hurt Your Truck Accident Claim
Whether it’s being drawn into a seemingly casual conversation with an insurance company rep, failing to follow up on medical advice or even an ill-advised social media post, innocent mistakes can hurt your claim. Your truck accident lawyer can help you avoid these pitfalls.
Evidence Can Be Lost if You Delay
Many people know that the statute of limitations for truck accident cases is two years. That can lead to a false sense of having plenty of time. But, in addition to the pitfalls described above, delay can make it harder for your truck crash lawyer to investigate and collect evidence. Security footage that caught the crash may be deleted as time passes. Vehicles will be repaired or totaled, destroying evidence of poorly-maintained or defective parts. Witnesses may be harder to locate, and may not have clear memories of what they saw.
Personal Injury Claims are Stressful
The team at I Just Got Hit (Godsey Martin, P.C.) is fully dedicated to helping people who have been injured or lost loved ones. So, we know just how challenging this time can be. You may be dealing with pain, physical limitations, the emotional and psychological impacts of the crash, concerns about the future, financial stress and more.
You shouldn’t have to worry about the logistics of your truck accident claim, how to protect yourself, whether you can trust what the insurance company is telling you, or whether you can afford the medical care you need. When you hire one of our experienced truck accident lawyers, you can hand off those concerns. We’ll manage your claim while you take care of yourself and your family.
Experience Counts in a Texas Truck Accident Case
Not every Texas car accident lawyer has experience with the complexities of a commercial truck accident case, or with the federal laws that may play a role when you’ve been in a collision with a big rig. You want to work with an attorney who has experience:
- Negotiating high-value claims with commercial insurance carriers
- Managing the procedural and jurisdictional issues associated with suing drivers or companies in other states
- Navigating the combination of state and federal laws that play a role in a commercial truck accident case
- Assessing the strengths and weaknesses of your case and knowing its potential value
- Handling cases involving serious, ongoing or permanent injuries
- Identifying, hiring and working with expert witnesses to establish both causation and damages
You will also want to work with an established injury firm that has the resources to manage your case with no up-front payment from you. The I Just Got Hit team works on a contingency basis, meaning that you don’t pay any attorney fees unless and until we recover compensation for you.
What’s at Stake in a Truck Accident Case?
Of course, every case is different. Some of the most common types of damages available in truck accident cases include:
- Compensation for medical expenses
- Projected future/ongoing medical expenses
- Lost income due to your injuries
- Projected future lost earnings due to long-term or permanent disabilities
- Pain and suffering/loss of quality of life
Unfortunately, if your claim is handled properly, you could end up with far less compensation than you deserve. For example, if you let the insurance company push you into an early settlement, you could end up responsible for future medical bills and other expenses. The right truck accident lawyer can make the difference between receiving fair compensation and receiving less than you deserve–or even nothing at all.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
We offer free, no-obligation consultations to people who have been injured or lost loved ones in a truck accident or other motor vehicle accident. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about your rights, your options, and how we can help. Click the “Start Your Case Review” button at the bottom of this post, click to call at the top of the page or chat with us right now to get started.
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