When you've been involved in an accident with a tractor trailer, you'll be asking yourself many questions. How can I afford to get my car fixed? How long will I be out of work to recover? Who will pay for my medical bills? These are all common questions that are difficult to answer on your own as many times, it comes down to the specific nature of your truck accident, and the severity of your injuries.
If you've been hurt in a truck accident and are wondering what your next steps are, here are some questions to ask a truck accident lawyer.
Q. Can You Prove Who Was Responsible For The Truck Accident?
If it was difficult to prove negligence at the scene of the accident, it will be up to a truck accident lawyer to conduct a thorough investigation in tangent with the insurance companies. This is because the truck driver or trucking company is going to do everything in their power to say the accident was not their fault.
Further, the insurance companies are also going to look to settle the claim for the lowest price possible which means if they can place blame on you, that's the route they will take.
A truck accident lawyer can prove who was responsible for the truck accident by:
- Investigating the cause of the accident
- Reviewing the police report
- Collecting evidence
- Speaking to witnesses
- Gathering expert testimony
If your truck accident lawyer isn't doing that, it may be time to find new representation.
Q. What Damages Can I Recover in a Truck Accident Claim?
The severity of your injuries and the extent of the property damage done will ultimately determine the amount of compensation and types of damages you can recover in a truck accident claim.
In general, victim's of truck accidents may be able to recover:
- Loss of wages
- Medical bills
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Funeral costs in the case of wrongful death
- Punitive damages
The insurance companies will rarely pay out the full value of a truck accident claim so it is always best to meet with a truck accident lawyer before accepting a settlement as further negotiations may lead to a larger payout.
But also be mindful that no attorney can guarantee you any settlement or verdict amount, so if a lawyer is painting you a picture that seems too good to be true, it may be time to look elsewhere.
Q. How Familiar is Your Firm With Truck Accident Cases?
Truck accident cases can be rather complex and not all personal injury lawyers are equipped to handle the legal nuances of a truck accident case.
At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we have a specific corner of our firm mapped out especially for these types of claims to ensure our clients are given the utmost attention to take on the negligent parties be it the driver, the trucking company, the product manufacturer, or another liable third party.
Further, we've been in the business a long time–more than 50 years, so we know all of the games the insurance company likes to play with truck accident victims.
When asking a personal injury firm if they handle truck accident cases, be sure to ask for a specific record of their success with similar cases as this can be very telling for you.
Q. How Much Do You Charge For Cases?
Much like a lawyer cannot guarantee a certain outcome for your case, you should not be expected to pay for winning results until the final numbers roll in.
Many personal injury law firms work on a contingency basis which means that you pay nothing up front for the representation. Any expert sources or professionals who need to be called in will be handled by the firm, and you will only be expected to pay for the services of the legal team if a settlement or verdict is reached.
Be mindful of how much of a percentage these firms take–as you still want to be left with enough money to pay for your losses and move forward.
At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, the percentage owed at the end of the case will never exceed your settlement or verdict.
Q. Can You Take My Truck Accident Claim to Court?
If a truck accident lawyer claims they are not able to take your claim to court and only focuses on the settlement aspect, you will need to expand your search.
While only five percent of all personal injury cases end up in court, it is important to have a legal team on your side who is prepared to stand before the court to get you the compensation you deserve. If they lack experience in the courtroom, you'll want to move to the next team.
Q. What Do You Need From Me as a Client?
People often think that lawyers can take your police report and come up with a plan to get you the settlement you need to move forward from the truck accident. The reality is the attorney-client relationship is a two-way street where the more information presented to the legal team, the more they can assist in your claim.
In general, your lawyer may ask you to provide the following pieces of information:
- Any evidence from the accident including photos, videos, etc.
- Signed medical release forms so the attorney can review your injuries and current care
- Insurance information from you and the truck driver
- Police report
- Witness testimony
- Receipts from any expenses related to the accident including but not limited to medical visits and treatment, car repairs, etc.
Q. How Long Could My Truck Accident Case Take?
Unfortunately, there is no set amount of time a standard truck accident case may take as no two collisions are the same.'
In general, if the insurance companies are eager to settle outside of court, and if there are no extenuating circumstances like severe injury or death, the claim could likely be settled in weeks or months.
But, if the case is more complex, it could take months or even years, especially if the claim ends up going into a lawsuit.
Q. How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, you have two years to file a truck accident or another personal injury claim to seek compensation.
However, if the truck accident results in death, the family of the deceased has two years to file from the date of the person's death.
Two years may seem like a long time, but the more time that passes, the less evidence there is to pull from so it is critical to act swiftly to ensure maximum compensation.
Q. Can Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys Take on My Truck Accident Case?
Yes. At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we are not afraid to take on the major trucking corporations across Pennsylvania. We know that truck accidents involve intricate areas of the law with a lot of room for error if the right attorney isn't on your side.
This is why our team reserves a special part of our firm to be completely dedicated to trucking accidents to ensure our clients are always satisfied with the outcome of their claim.
If you or a loved one have been injured or killed as a result of a truck accident, you need to call Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys. For a no-obligation, free consultation, contact the truck accident attorneys of Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys at 570-399-0406 or by connecting with us online.
