A commercial truck collision is a catastrophic event that occurs all too frequently in the state of California. Being the victim of a truck accident can have devastating consequences physically, emotionally, and psychologically.

The reality is, in almost every instance, trucking companies and insurance companies are looking out for their own best interests. Their priority is to save money, not to look out for injured parties.

Insurance companies will always try to get you to settle for less than you deserve, especially if you don’t have a truck accident lawyer to advocate on your behalf.

If you want to avoid a horrendous process and ensure you get the settlement you deserve, enlist the help of an auto accident attorney.

Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer

You’re probably thinking, why would I need a personal injury lawyer when I am the victim in the accident? In most cases, the victim of a commercial truck collision is the driver or passenger of the other car.

Trucking insurance policies are not like car insurance policies and commercial trucking accidents cause more damage than a run of the mill car accident. When you’re in a truck accident, you need an injury attorney.

Truck Insurance Policies Are Complicated

When two cars get in an accident, it’s usually pretty evident who is at fault. That makes the process of determining whose insurance should cover the damage pretty easy to determine.

You’re also usually dealing with just two insurance companies: the insurance company of the at-fault party and the insurance company of the injured party. Commercial vehicle accidents often involve multiple liable parties.

In most cases, the company that employs the truck driver will have liability insurance. The driver of the truck may have their own liability insurance policy as well.

In addition, the commercial vehicle involved in the crash will typically be covered by a separate insurance policy specific to the type of vehicle. And the cargo inside the truck likely has its own insurance too.

At a minimum, we’re talking about four different insurance companies and liable parties. That tends to make things quite a bit more complicated.

If you’re not familiar with the insurance claim process, dealing with four insurance companies is sure to be overwhelming. They will try to minimize your claim or deny it if it involves a large payout.

If you’re recovering from significant injuries, having to duke it out with all these insurance adjusters is going to be more challenging.

A lawyer with truck accident experience will know exactly how to handle the insurance companies and have the resources to get you what you deserve.

Truck Accidents Cause Significant Damage

Chances are if you are involved in a trucking accident, there is going to be extensive damage. Certainly, there will be far more than in a typical car accident.

The truck driver may be okay, but the driver and passengers of a smaller vehicle typically suffer catastrophic injuries. Even so, the driver, trucking company, and their insurers will try to deny your claim and fight you.

They will try to claim the accident was not their fault. They will put off dealing with your claim and delay negotiations as long as possible. Worst case scenario, they’ll try to blame you, the victim, for the crash.

You can be certain the trucking company will have lawyers who specialize in trucking accident claims. Why shouldn’t you have a qualified auto accident attorney to represent your best interests? 

How to Choose a Truck Accident Lawyer

Choosing the right personal injury lawyer is not as easy as doing a google search. It is important that you do your research and team up with the injury attorney that is the right match for you and your case.

Here are a few things you should look for in a potential auto accident attorney.

Experience

In general, a personal injury lawyer specializes in certain areas. You will want to hire an injury attorney with specific experience in truck accidents. These types of claims are complicated; an auto accident lawyer won’t cut it.

A truck accident lawyer needs to know how to investigate an accident, determine who is liable, and have an in-depth understanding of the state and federal rules and regulations involved in the collision.

Ask your accident attorney how familiar they are with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules and regulations. There is a significant amount of fine print involved and general knowledge won’t be enough.

An accident lawyer who doesn’t have experience with trucking accidents specifically may not be able to predict the legal maneuvers the insurance companies will try to use to protect their interests at all costs.

Proven Track Record

You can’t expect to find an attorney who has won every case. But you can expect a good success rate. Take a look at your potential accident lawyer’s case history and see if they have a decent track record with truck accidents.

Positive Testimonials

Finally, read reviews from the lawyer’s current and former clients. This will tell you a lot about how well they work with their clients.

Having a good working relationship with your lawyer will improve your outcome and your experience overall. Find someone who makes you feel comfortable and cared for.

What to Expect From a Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accident lawyers have a unique set of skills that are particular to these kinds of catastrophic and complicated accidents. They are able to do a lot more than a personal injury lawyer without truck accident experience.

Determine All Liable Parties

A lawyer will help you to determine all of the liable parties involved in the accident. This may include the truck driver, the trucking company, the truck manufacturer, the shipping company, as well as government entities.

Provide Legal Strategy

Unless you are a truck accident lawyer, chances are you don’t have much experience in this arena. But your auto accident attorney sure will.

They will analyze the details of your case. Then they will come up with the course of legal action they believe will be most successful in getting you the compensation you deserve.

Build a Compelling Case

The accident lawyer will build a compelling case for your claim by investigating and collecting evidence. These may include police reports as well as videos and photos of the scene.

In addition, they will also collect any data they can from the onboard electronic information system contained in the truck that hit you.

Handle Negotiations

It is very likely your lawyer will need to negotiate to get you the settlement you deserve. In most cases, your lawyer will need to negotiate with more than one responsible party.

A skilled auto accident lawyer will have the experience required to handle multi-defendant cases and fight effectively on your behalf. That way you can focus on your recovery.

Consult a Truck Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been involved in a truck collision, seek the advice of a truck accident lawyer right away. Trying to negotiate with multiple insurance companies and liable parties on your own will not get you the best results.

To get the compensation you deserve, you need a personal injury lawyer with specific experience dealing with truck accidents. When you’re ready to fight, contact Savin Bursk Law for a free consultation.