If you are involved in a serious accident with a truck, numerous people will be notified, starting with your family. You’ll want to let them know what happened and if you’ve been injured. Right after the accident, the police will be notified. They’ll then inform the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), who investigate truck accidents for possible violations.
Of course, there will also be insurance agencies that will get notified as well. What about an attorney?
When should you consult a lawyer about a truck accident?
Consulting with an experienced Charleston truck accident attorney, such as the team at Forbes Law Offices, can provide you with clarity on how to pursue a remedy following a truck accident caused by a negligent driver.
You might not always need to consult an attorney after an accident unless you meet the following conditions:
Seriously Injured
Any type of injury after a truck accident means a call to EMTs. You could be given first aid at the scene and cleared to go home with the recommendation to follow up with your doctor.
Even with that minimum care, there will be charges. If you are taken by ambulance to an emergency room, the costs will be even higher. There could also be X-rays, MRIs, surgery, and hospitalization.
Those medical expenses can quickly add up. If the accident was not your fault, you should not be subjected to paying those expenses. The priority for a truck accident attorney will be to help recover those expenses.
Unsure About Recovery
Some injuries that happen as a result of a truck accident can require long-term care in the form of physical therapy and follow-up exams. Those are also expenses that need to be accounted for in any truck accident settlement.
Your attorney can help you calculate the potential future medical expenses and include them in the negotiations for a settlement.
Missed Work
If the truck accident kept you from returning to work, the loss of your salary can add to your financial burdens. You are entitled to seek your lost wages as part of your settlement. If your injuries prevent you from returning to work altogether, you may also be eligible for compensation for future lost earnings.
A skilled attorney will know how to pursue the maximum lost salary benefits you’re entitled to.
You’re Being Blamed for the Accident
Assigning blame in the aftermath of a truck accident is crucial for determining who is going to pay for the damages.
West Virginia law applies the modified comparative fault standard to personal injury cases. This allows the victims of a car accident to collect compensation even if they are found partially at fault, provided that fault is not greater than 50%.
As a result of this rule, insurance companies for truck carriers will strive to shift some of the blame onto you. A qualified truck accident attorney will be ready to blunt those tactics.
There Was a Fatality
If the truck accident resulted in the fatality of your loved one, the surviving family is entitled to seek damages. Those damages can include any potential medical expenses and funeral costs.
The settlement can also account for the loss of that loved one and the impact it has had on the family.
Is It Worth Contacting the Forbes Law Offices?
The first consultation with Forbes Law Offices is free. During that consultation, you can have many questions answered about the merits of your truck accident claim and what the prospects are for finding a resolution.
We’ll also be able to explain how we operate. We work closely with a team of skilled investigators who have years of experience examining all kinds of truck accidents. We know how to secure relevant traffic camera footage. We also look into a truck driver’s history and will obtain all the “black box” data from the semi-truck.
We also support our clients with our extensive negotiation skills. It is essential to accurately calculate all current and future expenses. We also want to take into account any pain and suffering you have endured as a result of the accident.
Bottom line: When Forbes Law Offices agree to take up a claim, we will devote the full resources of our team to reach a fast and fair resolution.
Call to schedule your free consultation today.
