If you have been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, you might think that you can handle the case by yourself without the aid of a professional trucking accident attorney; but that can be a huge mistake.
The components of a trucking accident are incredibly complicated, and it can take a lot of investigation to sort through the details. If you aren’t aware of all the parties that might be responsible, you run the risk of getting only a fraction of what you deserve. So, before you think that you can go it alone, it is a good idea to think again.
Most people believe that an insurance company has one duty: to pay out after an accident happens. But, like other kinds of businesses, insurance companies are in business to make money for themselves, and they do not like giving it away.
The number one goal of insurance companies is not to make sure that those who are injured get the maximum that they are entitled to. An insurance company’s goal is to minimize their liability and to increase their bottom line. They do so by trying to deny responsibility, stall, and offer way less than an accident is worth.
When you are settling an 18-wheeler injury case, the insurance company will have a vast number of resources at their disposal to fight against compensating you. If you don’t have a professional in your corner who is fighting for you, the chances are good that you aren’t going to get all that you deserve.
What if you forego having an attorney represent you?
If you choose to represent yourself in a personal injury case involving an 18-wheeler, you are going to have to prepare documentation and do your own investigating. If you aren’t sure how to do that, take too long, and you will miss the statute of limitations. If you are just poorly prepared, then it can adversely affect what you will recover.
What do trucking accident attorneys charge?
Some people choose not to hire representation because they don’t have the money to pay for one. Trucking lawyers, however, work on something called a contingency fee basis. That means that they don’t recover any costs unless you do.
Trucking lawyers work by fighting for you and then taking a portion of what they can recover from your injuries. They typically have you sign a contract stating that if you receive compensation, they get a percentage or portion of the total amount.
Statistics show that those who do hire professionals in the trucking law industry receive far greater compensation than those who don’t. So, even though an attorney takes a percentage of what you recover, you will still come out on top.
The worry of it all
One of the biggest reasons that you should hire a 18 wheeler accident lawyer is that you have enough on your plate already. The types of injuries that you sustain in an 18-wheeler accident are usually life-altering.
When going through the emotional stress of healing from your injuries, it is not uncommon to have very little energy for much else. If you hire an attorney, they can handle everything so that you needn’t worry about things like money. All you have to do is focus on getting better and back on your feet.
Holding everyone accountable
Unlike other types of vehicular accidents, 18-wheeler accidents can have many parties involved. Not just about the driver, there are often other parties who could be held liable for your injuries including the trucking company, people who are responsible for maintaining the truck, and even the truck manufacturer.
If you don’t have the time, resources, or the knowledge to know how to do the proper investigation to find out the chain of causation, you might be missing out on a massive portion of all the money to which you are entitled.
Also, since non-economic damages are highly subjective, it might be possible for you to underestimate what your pain and suffering and emotional distress are worth. If you don’t anticipate for the future and sign a settlement offer that is not all you need, you will not be able to go back to the insurance company if things happen that you didn’t anticipate.
If you are in a trucking accident and think that you can handle the case on your own, you could be making a grave mistake. To get all that you are entitled to, it is essential that you hire a professional trucking accident lawyer.
