Should I Get a Truck Accident Lawyer?
By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Robert Rafii, Esq. | Last reviewed November 19, 2021
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If you've been injured in a truck accident, whether you were the driver of the truck, the driver of another vehicle, or a bicyclist or pedestrian, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your injuries. You can bring a legal claim against the other parties involved, even if you may be partially at fault.
Accident liability can be very complicated, so it may be in your best interests to contact a lawyer with experience in truck accident cases. Read on to learn more about the different ways a truck accident lawyer can help you.
Suing When You May Be Partially At Fault
You may be able to sue for compensation for your injuries even if you were partially responsible for the accident. In states that follow the comparative negligence theory (or some version of it), the fault for the accident is allocated to each party according to how much their behavior contributed as a cause of the accident. Experienced truck accident lawyers will be informed about the negligence theory applicable in your state or the state where the truck accident occurred.
Determining Who All the Responsible Parties Are
Often, people who are involved in truck accidents don't know the identities of all of the potentially responsible parties/defendants. It's crucial that you discover every party that could be held responsible for your injuries so you can pursue compensation before the statute of limitations to do so passes.
It is worthwhile to know the statute of limitations in your state. Statues of limitations vary from state to state, and you will want to keep the time limits in mind when establishing your case.
The most obviously-responsible parties in a truck accident are the drivers of the vehicles that were involved in the accident. However, there can be many other parties involved in a truck accident that are not immediately apparent, such as:
- Insurance companies
- Employers
- Manufacturers of the vehicles
- Government entities
- Trucking Companies
- Contractors
A truck accident lawyer can help you locate all potentially liable defendants so you're able to recover the maximum amount of damages for your injury.
Choosing the Best Legal Strategy
While many people seeking compensation for a truck accident will opt to file suit in a court of law, there may be other, more suitable options available, depending on the situation. Many cases are settled out of court or handled in a mediation or arbitration.
There are benefits for each of these strategies, and deciding on the proper course of action can be confusing and stressful. An attorney with truck accident case experience will be able to explain the various options and help you determine which choice provides you with the best outcome.
Get Legal Help After Your Truck Accident
Being involved in a truck accident carries more responsibility than simply recovering from your injuries. If you're thinking of filing a lawsuit, you'll have several legal matters to sort out, including who to sue, when to file suit, and how to chose a viable legal strategy. An experienced car accident lawyer can assess the facts of your truck accident, analyze your potential liability, and detail the possible recovery for your injuries and any associated costs.
Next Steps
Contact a qualified auto accident attorney to make sure your rights are protected.