Getting involved in a truck accident can completely change your life's trajectory. Most accidents lead to severe injuries that take months or even years of recovery before you can resume normal activities. Additionally, you might never regain the same health status as before the accident. Therefore, you will need to consult a competent lawyer to guide you in filing your claim and getting compensation. Here are three guidelines you will find useful in helping you understand how the process works.
Signing an Agreement with the Lawyer
It is best to seek compensation with the help of a competent lawyer. The process starts with signing a work agreement, and once the contract is official, the legal process also begins officially. It will include the legal fees your lawyer will get for the services they are rendering to you, terms and conditions on timelines for the case, compensation, and resolution. Different law firms will have unique contracts, and you should work with one that watches out for your interests. Once you have signed this agreement, you no longer have to speak to the insurers because you can channel all your communication through the lawyer.
Evidence Collection and Investigation
Gathering evidence is the second part of the process. It starts when you have a general discussion and make a preliminary account of the events that led to the accident. You can also present evidence of the injuries sustained and the steps you have taken to aid your recovery. Some evidence that will be useful at this point includes medical reports, police reports, physiology regimens, and any other documents that show your progress. After this, qualified accident scene investigators can visit the crash site to gather more information. Your legal team will also speak to the manager, drivers, and anyone connected to the fleet company that owns the truck that hit your vehicle.
Demand Letter and Settlement
When the primary investigations are complete, your legal team will send a demand letter to the liable party. They often have specific demands on the amount you should receive as compensation for your injuries. Your attorney will organize an out-of-court settlement if the company agrees to the amount. On the other hand, if they do not, your legal team will proceed to trial.
It is crucial to consult with a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after your car accident. The lawyer will help you create a strategy to get the most compensation within a reasonable timeframe.
Share13 June 2022
Did you know that many personal injury and car accident cases do not even end up being heard in front of a judge or jury? That's because most defendants would rather settle out of court so that they do not have to go through the expense and annoyance of a lengthy court battle. Personal injury attorneys need to be prepared for this. In addition to being ready to defend their clients in court, they need to be skilled negotiators. As you can see, this is a job that requires many diverse skills! Learn more about those skills, and about personal injury attorneys in general, right here on this site.