Why Should Owner Operators Keep a Truck Accident Attorney on File?

Truck owners and operators have to take steps to prevent their rigs from getting involved in an accident. Two of the most important steps to take include following federal driving regulations and performing regular maintenance on their 18-wheelers. Another important precautionary step involves keeping a truck accident attorney on file. Keeping a truck accident attorney on file requires hiring a lawyer on retainer. A retainer arrangement gives an owner or operator quick access to legal representation in case a truck driver gets involved in a collision.

Why Do I Need to Have a Truck Accident Attorney on File?

Keeping a truck accident attorney on file dramatically reduces the amount of time it takes to hire a lawyer to represent you during a truck accident case. In addition to quick access to legal representation, truckers benefit from keeping a lawyer on file for several additional reasons.

Conduct a Thorough Investigation

The key to gaining approval for an insurance claim, as well as winning a favorable legal judgment, involves gathering sufficient physical evidence to support an insurance claim and a civil lawsuit that seeks monetary damages. To collect persuasive physical evidence, your truck accident attorney conducts a thorough investigation that includes gathering physical evidence such as traffic and/or security camera footage. Your attorney also reviews the official police report and interviews witnesses as part of a detailed investigation.

Interacts With the Insurance Adjuster

A truck accident lawyer from Schiff & Associates helps you file a convincing insurance claim, as well as acts as an intermediary to prevent an insurance adjuster from taking advantage of you. By working with an experienced truck accident attorney, you can considerably reduce the amount of time it takes to get an insurance claim settled. You also can focus your attention on other issues, such as recovering from any injuries sustained as the result of a truck accident.

Submit a Reasonable Request for Compensation

One of the most common reasons for truck accident claims to come back denied is an unreasonable request for compensation. By hiring an experienced truck accident attorney, you submit a fair value for compensation that leads to the approval of your claim. Your truck accident lawyer considers the value of economic damages, such as the cost of medical bills and repairing property damage. Then, your lawyer calculates a value for non-economic damages, which can include treating the symptoms associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Prove Another Party Committed Negligence

To win a civil lawsuit that seeks monetary damages, your truck accident attorney must prove the presence of the four elements of negligence. First, your lawyer must show another party owed you a duty of care to prevent a truck accident. Second, another party must have committed at least one act that violated the duty of care doctrine. Third, you must prove that the truck accident caused your injuries. Fourth, the truck accident has to generate financial losses, such as medical bills and payments to repair the damage done to your rig.

Negotiate a Settlement

Hiring a truck accident attorney provides you with an experienced negotiator to represent your financial interests for an insurance claim, as well as a civil lawsuit that seeks monetary damages. Negotiations start with your lawyer submitting the initial offer, which the other party accepts or rejects. If the other party rejects the initial offer, you might receive a counteroffer or a certified letter that requests both parties move on to the next step of the insurance claim and/or civil lawsuit process. Several counteroffers can follow the initial offer until both parties resolve their differences or decide to take another action.

4 Auto Insurance Claim Problems You Should Take to a Car Accident Attorney

An average of nearly 12 million auto crashes happen each year in the United States, with roughly one-third of the accidents causing some type of vehicle damage. Although the majority of vehicle collisions cause what is called fender benders that result in minor property damage and minimal injuries, more than 42,000 Americans die each year because of getting involved in motor vehicle crashes. The numbers do not favor a registered driver in the United States, as the typical motorist can expect to get involved in a car accident one time every six years.

With the data pointing towards the inevitable car accident, do you know how to handle the aftermath of a motor vehicle collision? Calling 911, receiving medical care, and exchanging information with other drivers and passengers represent three common steps to follow after a car accident. Another common step involves contacting a state-licensed car accident attorney. Reaching out to a lawyer is important for many reasons, such as receiving legal support when the time comes to file an insurance claim to recover the financial losses associated with an auto crash.

What Are the 4 Most Common Reasons Policyholders File Auto Claims?

Filing a car accident insurance claim can turn into an exercise in frustration. From submitting the proper documents to monitoring the progress of a claim, you might find yourself out of money unless you receive the strong legal support of an experienced personal injury attorney who specializes in handling car accident cases. Depending on the type of insurance coverage, you might not be eligible to receive compensation to cover medical and property damage bills.

Let’s look at four auto insurance claim problems that you should take to a car accident attorney.

Rear-End Collision

A rear-end collision is one of the most common types of fender-bender car accidents. They often take place at stop signs and traffic signals. Although damage to the rear of your automobile might be minor, you can still sustain one or more serious injuries. Two of the injuries sustained as the result of a rear-end collision typically take time to develop. The body motion generated because of a rear-end collision can cause whiplash and/or a concussion. Taking a rear-end collision insurance claim to a car accident lawyer ensures you receive just compensation for diagnosing and treating delayed injuries such as whiplash and a concussion.

Damage Sustained While Parked

After an evening that included a movie and a meal at your favorite restaurant, you return to your vehicle and notice another driver has made an impact on the car. If you pay for comprehensive car insurance coverage, you should consider hiring a car accident attorney to help you file a persuasive auto insurance claim. Even without the support of witness statements, you can recover your financial losses by filing a parked car insurance claim. Your lawyer gathers physical evidence, which includes any traffic and/or security camera footage.

Single Car Accident

Single-car accidents produce many of the same car insurance claim problems as claims involving a parked motor vehicle. The lack of witness accounts to support your claim represents the most formidable insurance claim challenge to overcome. If you made an impact with a stationary object like a sign or fence post, you have the right to receive compensation to cover the costs associated with the property damage. However, receiving insurance compensation after a single car accident requires the legal support of a car accident attorney.

Auto Collision That Involves Multiple Drivers

One of the most important responsibilities of a car accident attorney is to gather physical evidence to bolster an insurance claim. Collecting physical evidence is especially important for receiving compensation for a multiple-driver car accident. Your car accident lawyer conducts an investigation to determine which of the multiple parties caused the collision. This requires obtaining physical evidence, as well as interviewing witnesses that were not involved in the car accident.