Truck-related accidents are notorious for causing some of the most severe injuries and fatalities. The impact force from collisions between trucks and cars is greater than a car-to-car impact. Unfortunately, most of the victims of such accidents are occupants in smaller cars. Data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) places Florida State at number 3 for all truck-related accidents in the US. This information makes it pertinent to get the services of the most experienced Orlando car/truck accident attorney to get your best interests represented.
Most truck drivers are often employees of big companies and corporations. This means that you’ll most likely be up against top corporate lawyers and big insurance companies who have dealt with thousands of similar cases like your own. It’s essential to have a lawyer by your side with extensive knowledge and experience in the trucking industry in general and the common tactics they use when sued for personal injury claims.
What are the Common Causes of Truck Related Accidents?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) estimates that truck drivers are 10 times more likely to cause accidents involving trucks and smaller vehicles. Some of the most common causes include;
- Fatigued drivers
- Overspeeding
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Overloading and improper load distribution
- Errors in attaching the trailer
- Driving under the influence
- Brake malfunction
- Poor visibility or lighting
The Advantages of Getting a Truck Accident Lawyer
Below are some of the benefits of hiring a truck accident law firm in San Antonio;
- They Understand FMCSA Rules and Regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is tasked with regulating and monitoring safety standards for truck drivers and companies. Having an attorney who is well-versed with FMCSA rules and regulations significantly increases the chances of winning a case. They will build a stronger case by identifying various FMCSA rules and regulations that the truck driver or company might have broken. They include aspects such as improper weight distribution or not driving within the stipulated service hours.
- Identify All the Liable Parties
There is a high possibility of having several potentially liable parties after a truck crash. The parties may include the driver, the trucking company, truck manufacturer, cargo owners, road construction companies, government entities, and more. A truck accident attorney will be best placed to dig in and determine all liable parties promptly. They will look into the driver’s details, medical records, insurance companies involved, truck maintenance issues, and any other relevant details.
- Handle Negotiations and Communications on your Behalf
Dealing with an insurance company on your own can be a challenging experience. The chances of being shortchanged by insurance adjusters are very high. They have all the tricks up their sleeve on how to convince you to give a statement or accept their initial lowball offer. Remember that is what they do for a living, and they earn the most commissions from having victims accept the lowest offer possible. Having an attorney experienced in trucking accidents by your side to serve your best interest is a great way to ensure that all negotiations are fair for you. They will also handle all communications with them; hence you won’t have to worry about saying anything that could jeopardize your claim.
- Recover All Potential Non-Economic Losses
The severity of most truck accidents means that the losses incurred by victims are more often than not much more than just medical expenses, no matter how much they are worth. While the insurance may offer you a reasonable first settlement enough to cover all your medical expenses, the chances are that the amount will be lesser than what they ought to give you. An experienced trucking attorney will give you accurate projections on other non-economic losses you should claim, such as income lost for not being able to work. The money will cushion you and your family’s expenses if the accident left you incapacitated and unable to continue with your previous work.
- Choose the Most Appropriate Legal Strategy
Various legal strategies work well with particular cases. An expert attorney will ensure that you get the best legal strategy that applies perfectly to your lawsuit. This will be informed by various things, such as the nature of the evidence available and expert witnesses, among others. Your attorney will analyze all relevant information surrounding your case and develop the best strategy possible.
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