Trucks are the heaviest vehicles on the road, with a maximum legal weight of 80,000 pounds. This is just one reason why getting in a truck accident is one of the scariest things that can happen on the road. Unfortunately, truck accidents are often very complicated, with multiple parties potentially liable. Thus, pursuing compensation on your own could be very challenging.
A truck accident lawyer can identify who is liable for the accident, build a strong case, and negotiate hard with insurance companies on your behalf. If needed, he or she can go to trial to fight for the compensation you need.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, the first step is to schedule a free case evaluation with a Phillips Law Group attorney to see what legal options are open to you. Call us or contact us online to schedule a free, personalized case evaluation.
Conduct Case Evaluations
Let’s explore exactly what a personal injury lawyer can do to help you get justice after a life-changing truck accident.
If you have been involved in a truck accident, the Phillips Law Group legal team would like to offer you a free, personalized case evaluation. You can meet with a qualified truck accident attorney and have a chance to tell your story. Also, bring any evidence along with you, such as police reports, photographs, and medical records, to provide a clear picture of what happened.
During the case evaluation, our goal is to determine whether or not your case is likely to succeed. To take on your case, a truck accident lawyer must be satisfied that he or she can prove that you were injured because of another party’s negligence.
You may hold back from meeting with a truck accident lawyer because you feel you were partly liable for the accident. However, Arizona and some other states follow the legal doctrine of comparative negligence. Even if you were partly at fault, you may still be entitled to pursue damages. Many states, including Arizona, have a 2-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims, so don’t delay in seeking legal advice.
If your case review is promising, you can choose to hire a Phillips Law Group truck accident attorney to represent you. Over the past 26 years, we have represented more than 155,000 clients and have secured more than $1 billion in compensation.
Identify Potentially Liable Parties
Sadly, national statistics from the NHTSA show that fatal truck accidents are becoming more common. Over 5,600 fatal truck accidents occurred in 2021 – a 13-percent increase compared to 2020. Truck drivers rarely drive their own trucks, meaning that the trucking company and the owner of the truck may also bear some liability for the accident.
An experienced truck accident attorney may also take into account federal hours-of-service regulations and whether or not they were followed in your case. These regulations are in place to protect all road users and try to limit the number of truck accidents that occur by reducing truck driver fatigue.
Each party will usually have their own team of lawyers and proving liability can be a battle. That’s why you need to choose a legal team with a proven track record in getting results for clients in truck accident cases.
Gather Evidence of Liability
To build a strong case and prove liability after a truck accident, a personal injury attorney may gather evidence from many different sources, including:
- Police reports
- Insurance reports
- Photographs and videos from the scene
- Eyewitness testimony
- Electronic Logging Device (ELD) reports
- Commercial truck black box, if applicable
- Expert witness testimony, if needed
It often takes a lot of determination and persistence to obtain these records from trucking companies and other parties, which is why you need an experienced legal team fighting in your corner.
Seek Compensation for Truck Accident Victims
The goal of every truck accident lawyer is to secure fair compensation for the suffering you have experienced as a result of your truck accident. For example, if you have been seriously injured, you may have incurred many out-of-pocket expenses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Medical devices, equipment, and drugs
- Caretaker support
- Lost wages/business opportunities
- Property damage, including damage to your vehicle
If your injuries are catastrophic, you may also require compensation to cover your future medical expenses and loss of earning potential.
In addition to this, a truck accident lawyer can also calculate the non-economic impact of your accident and tenaciously pursue compensation on your behalf. This could include damages for:
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment in family life
- Loss of intimacy in marriage
During your case evaluation, a personal injury attorney can tell you about other similar cases and the level of compensation they secured for their client. However, it’s important to remember that each case is unique and the amount of damages awarded will vary.
Build a Strong Case
To build a strong case, your truck accident attorney must prove the four following legal points:
- Duty of care: The other party/parties owed you a duty of care, such as driving carefully, following federal hours-of-service regulations, and maintaining the vehicle
- Breach of duty of care: The party/parties failed to demonstrate reasonable care
- Cause: The other party/party’s actions caused your injuries/death of a loved one
- Damages: You suffered losses and are entitled to compensation
When your Phillips Law Group lawyer has built a strong case and calculated an acceptable settlement figure, the case can move to the next stage.
Handle Negotiations With Insurance Companies
Your truck accident lawyer can then enter into negotiations with the attorneys or insurance adjusters representing the other parties involved in the accident. It may take a lot of back and forth, but you can rest assured that our legal team will use all of their experience and expertise to try to achieve the best settlement for you.
Go to Trial
Occasionally, it is not possible to settle a truck accident at the negotiating table. In this situation, your Phillips Law Group attorney can represent you at trial and the final settlement will be decided by a judge or jury. You may appeal if you are not satisfied with the outcome.
Paying for a Truck Accident Lawyer
Phillips Law Group truck accident lawyers work on a contingency basis. The case evaluation is free and there are no upfront fees to pay. You pay nothing unless we successfully secure compensation for you. If your case is unsuccessful, you won’t owe us a penny.
We Can Help You With All of the Above After a Truck Accident
Over the past 26 years, Phillips Law Group has helped many truck accident victims pursue the compensation they deserve. While damages can’t turn the clock back, they can help you to rebuild your life and access the ongoing support you need to live life to the fullest.
Don’t delay in seeking qualified legal help. Call Phillips Law Group today or contact us online for a free case review with a qualified truck accident lawyer.
