Published by Leonardo Calcagno
Victims of a commercial truck accident may be experiencing severe injuries or other issues as a result of the crash. Though recovery should be the main focus in the immediate aftermath, they may also want to work with a lawyer to obtain compensation for their injuries. This will help to cover current and future medical bills and other expenses directly related to the accident.
Claiming Through an Insurance Company
It is possible to file a claim through the at-fault driver’s insurance agency. This is a formal request for compensation after being injured by a commercial truck driver and lets the insurance company know about the accident. However, it is important to be cautious when going this route, as the insurance company will try to minimize the amount of compensation they offer so they don’t have to pay out as much money. This could mean the victim isn’t able to get all of the funds they need to financially recover from the accident.
Filing for a Lawsuit
Instead of filing with the insurance company, or after doing so but before accepting any settlement offer, victims can speak with a lawyer about their case. The lawyer can provide advice on what amount of money they should be able to receive and the best way to get the full amount from the insurance company. This can include filing a civil case in court, which will allow a judge to determine the compensation owed to the victim. In most cases, though, the case will be filed with the courts, but end after a settlement is negotiated and won’t go to court.
Negotiating a Settlement
After filing a lawsuit, the lawyer will start negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurance company. This is often the insurance company for the driver or the company they work for, but it could be other parties, depending on what caused the accident. Lawyers will use a variety of negotiation tactics to help their clients get the highest settlement possible. The settlement should include legal fees, medical bills, future medical costs, car repair or replacement costs, funds to cover lost wages, and money to cover any other accident-related expenses the victim incurred as a result of the accident.
Obtaining Compensation
If the negotiations are successful, the lawyer will collect the compensation from the insurance company, take out their fee, and provide the victim with the remaining funds from the settlement. If they are not able to come to an agreement, the case will go to court to be decided by a judge. If the victim is awarded compensation in court, the collection looks similar. If there are any issues obtaining the settlement, the lawyer will talk to the client about the different options available for collection and how to get the funds from the at-fault party or their insurance company.
If you’ve been injured in a commercial truck accident, now’s the time to schedule a consultation with a lawyer. Take the time to learn more about how they can help, what they can do for your case, and why it’s a good idea to have legal representation when dealing with an accident like this. They’ll help to make sure you get the compensation needed for your case so you don’t have to cover any of the costs of recovering from the accident.