When to Consult a Lawyer for a Truck Accident
Were you injured in a collision with a semi-truck, tractor-trailer or other big rig? A truck accident lawyer in Kearns, Utah, may not be the first person you call, but you should absolutely talk to a legal professional soon.
Right now, your number one priority should be to get better. However, depending on the nature of your injuries, the total cost of medical treatment for your injuries could amount to tens of thousands of dollars or more, and if you didn’t cause the collision, the expense shouldn’t be your responsibility.
Being on the fence about hiring a truck accident lawyer is certainly understandable, but discussing your situation with an experienced legal professional is a good idea. Most attorneys who specialize in this area of law offer free consultations, allowing you the opportunity to get advice without any obligation. As for when to consult a lawyer for a truck accident, sooner is better than later. Take a look at the following to learn more.
When Truck Accident Victims Schedule Legal Consultations
Since you’re reading this, we’re guessing you haven’t contacted a truck accident lawyer yet. In our experience, many people in your position don’t think to take the step unless faced with one of these situations:
Severe Injuries
After any sort of motor vehicle accident, many victims don’t want to make a big deal out of the incident or their injuries. Instead of calling an attorney, they decide to hang tough.
If you were hurt badly enough that you needed an ambulance ride to the emergency room – or if you’ve realized that your injuries are getting worse – you could benefit from the expertise of a skilled Kearns truck accident lawyer. While medical professionals can help guide your recovery, you may need the help of an experienced legal professional to obtain compensation for all of your losses.
Increasing Frustration
Trying to deal with the aftereffects of an accident can be incredibly stressful. Despite this, many injured victims do their best to weather the storm on their own.
Being injured in a collision with a tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler, semi-truck or other big rig triggers a flood of phone calls from insurance adjusters. They all want you to answer questions and give statements, and saying the wrong thing could compromise your case. The pressure can be monumental, and that’s not what you need when you’re recovering. Working with an attorney will make your life easier.
Financial Difficulties
Any motor vehicle accident has the potential to result in major expenses. And some injured victims don’t really appreciate the costs involved until the bills begin to roll in.
As we mentioned above, your medical treatment could run tens of thousands of dollars or more. Damage to your vehicle and other property might also add up to a tidy sum, and if your injuries have left you unable to work, finding the funds to stay afloat could be a challenge. Rather than sacrificing your financial stability, look to a truck accident lawyer to end your worries about accident-related expenses.
Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Call a Truck Accident Lawyer
The moment you think you might benefit from having legal assistance is the moment to get in touch with a truck accident lawyer. Waiting until you’re better prepared to deal with the situation would be ideal, but that approach puts your claim at risk. Here’s why:
Deadlines
Navigating the accident claims process can take a good deal of time, and although many cases are resolved through settlement negotiations, sometimes filing a lawsuit is the only way to secure a fair payout. In Utah, injured victims have just four years to bring a claim to court, and the time limit for property damage claims is only three years. If you wait too long to consult a lawyer for a truck accident, you could lose out on money you not only need, but also deserve.
Evidence
In order to get the full amount of compensation you’re entitled to after a truck accident, you’ll need to prove that someone else caused the collision. You also need evidence that definitively reveals the severity of the injuries you suffered. However, to obtain certain potentially crucial forms of proof – like electronic logs, in-cab video data and the results of drug and alcohol testing – you might need the expertise of a skilled Kearns truck accident lawyer.
Outcome
While every accident claim is unique, research has shown that injured victims who work with attorneys get a much greater amount of compensation than those who go it alone. Many local lawyers – including Chris Cockayne here at Cockayne Law – have years of experience and a vast pool of knowledge to draw on. That boosts the likelihood of a favorable case outcome, but time is also needed. As such, the sooner you consult a lawyer for a truck accident, the better.
Contact an Experienced Legal Professional Today
If you’ve been seriously hurt in a collision with a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer or other big rig, Chris Cockayne is ready to fight for your right to compensation. For a free, no-obligation consultation with a highly rated truck accident lawyer in Kearns, Utah, contact Cockayne Law today.