Semi Truck Accident Litigation

If you are looking for information about semi truck accident settlements you should be aware that each case is individual. There is no settlement calculator or average.

One of the most crucial steps in a semi truck accident lawsuit is analyzing and gathering evidence. This includes contacting witnesses as well as conducting an investigation of the crash scene.

Preparation

In any accident, gathering evidence and investigating its cause is the first step. The more information that you provide to your attorney, the better they will be able to build a case for you to secure the right amount of compensation. For accidents involving semi-trucks this could mean investigating the truck driver, the company they work for, as well as their history of violations. It could also mean determining whether they were under pressure to meet deadlines. It also involves examining the vehicle and black box data and footage from the dash camera.

A thorough investigation should include interviews with eyewitnesses as well as other experts. Also, it should consider any records of the government pertaining to the highway on which the crash took place. For instance, if the highway was maintained by a public agency and was the cause of the crash, the accident victim could be able establish the liability of that entity.

The next step is settlement negotiations. It usually happens after your injuries have stabilized. However, it might take longer if your injuries are severe or if you'd like prolong the proceedings. A good semi truck accident lawyer will know how to rebuff any unreasonable offers and negotiate a fair settlement that takes into account for your past and anticipated future expenses.

If a settlement cannot be reached, the case will be put to trial. The trial process can last up to four weeks. Your attorney will ensure you are prepared including jury selection as well as your testimony.

Depending on the degree of your injuries your lawyer might have to question you and other witnesses. It is a daunting process, but necessary to get the truth from those who are closest to the incident. Your lawyer will prepare you for depositions so you can answer questions with honesty while protecting your rights. Your attorney will prepare you for expert witness testimony and a possible deposition by the opposing counsel.

Discovery

The legal process of collecting evidence and facts that can support your claim is called discovery. In most courts, your lawyer can obtain information from the person at fault and third parties involved in the accident. Your lawyer can make use of interrogatories, as well as requests for admissions, production and depositions.

These are written questions to which the lawyer or the defendant must respond to within a time frame. They are only allowed to ask pertinent questions, which means they can't be intrusive or harassing. They aren't allowed to ask for anything irrelevant to the case, such as medical evidence from an earlier accident.

A request for production (or a request for documentation) is an email request to the defendant for any documents that relate to your case. This could range from their vehicle logs, to employer's policies. It could even be information stored in the black storage box on their truck.

Injuries resulting from accidents that involve large commercial vehicles could be catastrophic. They can cause permanent physical limitations as well as a decreased quality of life. It is important that your lawyer for injury has access to all of the details and evidence concerning the crash, the injuries you sustained and the damage you sustained.

The evidence that supports your claim for the pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills and future losses is vital to prove your case. Your lawyer may be required to gather witness testimony or police reports, as well as other documentation to prove the severity of your injuries.

A collision with a semi-truck may cause serious injuries, like blunt abdominal trauma, which could cause damage to the liver, spleen and pancreas. Broken ribs can cause internal damage as well as puncture the lungs.

The death of a loved one because of an accident with a 18-wheeler is devastating. In addition to losing their life, you may be dealing with immense grief, financial losses and the inability of enjoying your life without them. A wrongful death lawsuit seeks to compensate for these losses. It may include compensation for the loss of inheritance you could have received, funeral costs and the loss of the joy of life and friendship that your loved one's deceased loved ones lived through during their life time.

Negotiation

The amount of compensation you will receive following a semi truck accident is determined by the degree of your injuries as well as the total amount of damages. Damages can include medical expenses, lost earnings in the future, loss of earning potential, property loss, pain and suffering, and many more. It can be difficult to assign an appropriate monetary value to these types of losses, however, Matt's vast experience enables him to evaluate all your recovery options and obtain the maximum settlement possible for your claim.

In most cases, a claim to be injured resulted from a collision semi-trucks will require informal discussions between you and the insurance company that represents the defendant or the employer of the defendant. A knowledgeable attorney on your side can help insurance companies increase the initial offer they offer, and help you discover elements of compensation that might otherwise be overlooked.

For example, if your injuries have led you to miss opportunities to take part in activities you love or negatively affected your quality of life, this can be an important aspect of your case that could be overlooked by less skilled lawyers who focus on the present medical bills and property damage. Matt takes the time to communicate with your doctor and get experts to be able to account for all of your present and future losses in order to maximize the amount you receive in settlement.

It is crucial to begin creating a case as early as possible because evidence can disappear with the passage of time. Witness statements can also turn unreliable after a reasonable time period.

It could take from months to several years to settle a claim in the event that multiple parties are liable and the defending or parties refuse to accept responsibility or challenge your claims. It may also take longer if the case is brought to trial. Lawyers can speed up this process by engaging in negotiations with the other party and their insurance company or participating in formal alternative dispute settlement processes such as non-binding arbitration or mediation.

Trial

In some cases, a truck accident can involve multiple responsible parties. In this situation it is crucial to investigate the accident to determine the parties involved and their involvement in the accident. Our firm will review the evidence to identify any liable parties, such as trucking firms and drivers. We can also conduct an independent investigation to find out more about what happened and to find additional witnesses.

In most cases, the parties can reach a settlement outside of court. This is a great method to save time and money, and is in everyone's best interests. If the settlement is not reached and the case goes to trial then our New York semi truck accident lawyers are prepared to defend your rights.

We will contact you on your behalf with the insurance company of the party who is at fault to stop them from using anything you say in your trial against you. The adjusters from the at-fault side and defense attorneys are often described as "wolves in sheep's clothing." They are trying to convince you to make a statement that they can twist and turn into a negative statement against you. By letting us handle all communications with insurance companies, you can concentrate on improving and be confident that your statements will not be used against you in trial.

Trucking accidents can cause substantial damage, including medical bills, loss of earnings, and pain and discomfort. To ensure you receive the most amount of compensation, our team will work with your doctor and other experts to comprehend the totality of your losses. This includes calculating your present and future losses, like your inability to return to work and your loss of consortium.

You must file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires otherwise you lose the right to sue for damages. Our New York truck accident attorneys can begin building your claim as soon as we are retained. We will put in the effort to file your claim within the required timeframes.

It is essential to act swiftly after an accident with a truck or the death of a loved one because evidence will fade over time. We will be able to connect with witnesses and obtain their statements before they forget what they saw. We can also question family members, friends or expert witnesses you would like to testify in your behalf.