Any kind of automotive accident can lead to injuries and stress, but crashes that involve large commercial trucks tend to have even more serious consequences. An accident victim’s first priority should always be seeking adequate medical care. After seeing a doctor, though, the next priority should be to find a truck accident attorney. Read on to find out about the next steps.
Step One: Find a Law Office
The first step after getting into a truck accident is to investigate local law firms. California residents can get help from yarianlaw.com, but people from other states will need to put in some extra legwork to look into lawyers closer to home. Most US states still have unique sets of standards for bar admission.
Step Two: Attend an Initial Consultation
Most truck accident lawyers offer free initial consultations, which can be performed in person or over the phone. An initial consultation offers the attorney a chance to evaluate the basic details of the case and the potential client to ask questions and learn what to expect. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident and need legal representation, consider consulting with a trusted attorney who specializes in handling semi truck accident claims.
Step Three: Sign an Agreement
After the initial consultation, the client will be asked to sign a contract before moving forward. Often called a Retainer Agreement or Letter of Engagement, this contract will be legally binding and will indicate:
- Acknowledgment of the confidential nature of the lawyer-client relationship
Details about contingency fees, expenses, and payments
Terms for canceling the agreement
General timelines
Various disclaimers
Some contracts are simple, while others are quite complex. Clients should read through them and request clarification on any points that they don’t understand before signing on the dotted line.
Step Four: Restrict Communication
Most attorneys recommend that clients not speak to any unauthorized people about their pending claims or cases. While drivers should always report truck accidents to their insurance agents, they should never answer questions or sign anything they don’t understand, nor should they assume that the other driver’s insurance company has their best interests in mind. Never answer questions from the other driver’s insurance agent, and don’t sign a settlement agreement without consulting the lawyer.
Step Five: Provide Evidence
Truck accident lawyers will need some documents to clarify the details of the case. Accident victims should expect to provide:
- Police reports
Medical records and bills
Accounts of the accident
Photographs of the scene, if available
Any tickets related to the accident
A copy of the car insurance policy
Evidence of missed work and other damages
Once a client provides all the available documentation and evidence, the lawyer can move forward with an initial investigation and come up with a strategy. Expect the law office to be in touch during this phase.
Step Six: Send a Demand Letter
Once the legal team collects and reviews evidence, it’s time to move forward with the victim’s demands. The lawyer will draft and send what’s known as a personal injury demand letter to the responsible party’s insurance company, which will include a settlement recommendation.
If the insurance company accepts the demands, the settlement can proceed outside of court. If the responsible party’s insurance company wants to negotiate terms or present a counter-offer, it can take some extra time for the settlement to move forward. Accident victims will only need to file lawsuits and go to court if they are unable to reach equitable deals with the responsible party.
The Importance of Having a Lawyer
Truck accidents can be quite complicated. Even figuring out who is to blame can leave accident victims in over their heads. Hiring a lawyer is the best way for an accident victim to maximize the chances of receiving a fair settlement.
