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5 Times You Need to Hire a Semi-Truck Accident Attorney

Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran

Everyone hopes to walk away from a vehicle accident with no injuries, but victims of commercial vehicle accidents often suffer catastrophic damages after a collision. In crashes involving a truck and a passenger car, the occupants of the passenger car are ten times more likely to be severely injured in the crash.

Michigan law allows you to file a lawsuit against a driver or trucking company whose negligence led to your injury, but you must choose whether to hire an attorney to help you with your claim or file on your own.

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Michigan, it’s often in your best interest to hire a lawyer. Learn why you should hire a semi-truck accident attorney from Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. to handle your claim.

When to Hire a Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer

Hiring a semi-truck accident lawyer can be beneficial in several situations, including when you have suffered serious injuries, when the other party disputes liability, when facing a lawsuit, when dealing with insurance companies, and when navigating complex laws and regulations.

You Suffered Serious Injuries

After being injured in a truck accident, you may require expensive and long-term medical care and assistance. While you can file with your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, you are only covered up to your chosen policy limit.

Even those with unlimited PIP insurance do not have all services covered indefinitely: for example, compensation for lost wages only lasts three years, and no PIP policies cover property damage.

Hiring an attorney enables you to seek a higher settlement to pay for your injuries in a third-party claim against the driver, trucking company, or another responsible party. Your attorney can review the facts of your truck accident claim, collect evidence of the severity of your injuries from medical records and tests, and build a strong argument for recovering economic and non-economic compensation.

The truck accident lawyers at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. have won millions in compensation for truck accident victims, including $1.3 million for the death of a 5-year-old boy in a semi-truck collision.

There is a Dispute Over Liability

A dispute over liability in a semi-truck accident can occur when one or more parties involved in the accident disagree on who is responsible for causing the accident. Liability established following a truck accident can include the truck driver, the trucking company, the manufacturer of the truck, and even maintenance providers. Determining liability can be complex and challenging, as there may be multiple factors that contributed to the accident.

When there is a dispute over liability, it is important to clearly understand the legal principles and laws that apply to the case. An attorney can help you navigate the legal system, understand your rights, and determine the best course of action for your case.

Our attorneys at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. are skilled at finding evidence of liability in truck accident cases. We can search for video footage, witnesses, vehicle event data recorders, and other resources that may prove the trucking company’s liability. Our team can also argue down the amount of liability you hold in the accident, ensuring you receive maximum compensation.

The Trucking Company is Uncooperative

Few trucking companies want to pay accident victims the compensation they’re owed; some may be combative or hostile. They may drag out the claims process for as long as they can, refuse to provide you with information that you need for your insurance claim or use their attorneys to intimidate you.

An attorney will speed up the process and force the trucking company to become more solution-oriented. Should the company still refuse to cooperate, your attorney can file a personal injury lawsuit to help you recover the compensation you’re owed.

You’re Offered a Settlement

While accepting the first settlement offer from the trucking company’s insurance may be tempting, it’s rarely in your best interest. Insurance companies typically make a lowball initial offer to avoid paying you a settlement to cover your damages. They may try to intimate or talk you into agreeing to a settlement with misleading information.

Accepting a settlement locks you into the agreed-upon amount, so you can no longer negotiate the amount or request further compensation later. If an insurance company contacts you to offer a settlement, speak with an attorney at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C.

We are familiar with the financial costs and non-economic losses that result from truck crashes and can help you determine if the settlement offer is fair. If you wish to negotiate for a higher amount, we will negotiate on your behalf for an agreeable payout.

You’re Confused or Unsure of What to Do

Navigating insurance claims or the legal system is almost always a challenge. If you’re unsure whether you have a valid claim, don’t know how to file, or are struggling to understand the law surrounding your case, it’s best to hire an attorney who can provide the legal advice and guidance you need.

Our law firm offers free initial consultations for personal injury victims. During your consultation, one of our attorneys will review your case, determine whether you have a valid claim, and provide advice on next steps. Once you decide to file a claim, your attorney will represent you throughout your case.

Why is Hiring a Truck Accident Attorney Important?

Truck accidents are more complex than auto collisions. They can involve multiple parties, severe injuries, and high-value claims that require a skilled attorney who understands how to navigate complicated insurance and trucking laws.

The truck accident lawyers at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. have the knowledge and experience to navigate complex truck accident cases and protect your rights when filing a claim. The following characteristics of trucking accidents make it crucial for you to hire a lawyer to represent your case:

There are Higher Damages at Stake

After a truck collision, you may require medical procedures like surgery to recover from your injuries, prolonged healing time, and assistance to help you with your medical care or daily needs. This can result in several months or years where you cannot work, engage in activities you enjoy, or be actively involved in your loved ones’ lives.

Some survivors face lifelong disability after an accident and may require adaptations to make their home or car accessible, such as wheelchair ramps, stairlifts, or hand controls. Even those who do not need adaptations may struggle with chronic pain or need assistance for tasks that they could previously do independently.

Although Michigan’s no-fault laws typically limit your compensation to financial losses, like medical bills and missed wages, anyone seriously injured or permanently disabled by a vehicle accident has the right to file a personal injury claim. This allows you to recover compensation for non-economic damages, like pain and suffering, that can significantly increase your compensation.

Due to the potentially high value of a truck accident claim, it’s crucial to hire a skilled attorney. The truck accident lawyers at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. can accurately estimate your damages, file with the right insurer, and negotiate to get you the compensation you deserve.

Truck Accident Cases are More Complex

Truck accident cases are more complex than car collisions due to the multiple parties and regulations involved. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets guidelines and regulations regarding driving hours, record keeping, and licensing standards that trucking companies and drivers must follow.

In addition, multiple parties may be liable in your truck accident case, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and the manufacturer of the truck or its parts. Determining liability can be complicated, and require your attorney to investigate and reconstruct the accident, examine the truck’s driving log and maintenance records, and look into the driver’s qualifications and training.

Our legal team can help you navigate the complex legal system, negotiate with insurance companies and other parties, and represent you in court if necessary. We will protect your rights and help you receive fair compensation for injuries you sustained.

You May Need Help Preserving Evidence

Far too many trucking companies cut corners to maximize profits. While the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act (FMCSA) has laws to protect drivers and others on the road, some trucking companies do not comply with these laws as a cost-cutting strategy. Employing such dangerous tactics puts everyone on the road at risk.

For example, one of the leading causes of truck accidents is tired driving. An FMCSA study found that 18,000 accidents or 13% of collisions studied, involved driver fatigue. This fatigue has led to mandates that require all long-haul truckers to take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving.

However, many truckers break these regulations to meet deadlines, increasing their risk of being involved in a crash. Drivers who are pushed to exhaustion and forced to work past the maximum regulatory hours may display the following:

  • Impaired judgment
  • Delayed reaction times
  • Increased aggressive behavior
  • Weakened vision
  • Inability to make good decisions

When filing against a trucking company, you may have limited ability to obtain time logs, maintenance records, or testimony. Your attorney from Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. can help you get evidence from the trucking company to support your claim. They can prevent the spoilation of evidence by sending a preservation letter asking for specific documents or logs so the company doesn’t alter or lose the evidence.

You May File a Claim Against Multiple Parties

Filing a claim against multiple parties in a semi-truck accident can be complex and challenging. Semi-truck or commercial vehicle accidents often involve multiple parties, such as the truck driver, the trucking company, the manufacturer of the truck, and even maintenance providers.

Each party may have different levels of liability and responsibility for the accident, and it can be difficult to determine who is ultimately responsible. An attorney can assist you in filing a claim against multiple parties by:

  • Investigating the accident and gathering evidence to build a strong case
  • Determining who is liable and responsible for the accident
  • Filing a claim against all parties who are deemed liable
  • Negotiating with the various parties and their insurance companies to reach a fair settlement
  • Representing you in court, if necessary

When filing a claim against multiple parties, it is important to clearly understand the legal principles and laws that apply to the case. An attorney can help you navigate the legal system, understand your rights, and determine the best course of action for your case.

You Can Significantly Increase Your Compensation

Hiring a semi-truck accident attorney can significantly increase the amount of compensation you receive after an accident. An attorney can help you navigate the complex legal system and ensure that your rights are protected. They can also help you build a strong case against the responsible parties and secure fair compensation for any injuries or damages you may have suffered.

Increase Your Compensation

Consult the Trucking Accident Attorneys at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C.

Trucking accidents can have earth-shattering effects on accident victims and their loved ones. If you or someone you love was injured in a crash with a commercial truck, contact Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. for a free, confidential consultation.

You are entitled to recover damages and need a qualified lawyer on your side. When you are vulnerable and need help the most, we are at our best, giving you the support you need to get the restitution you deserve.

Our contingency fee basis means we only get paid if we win your case, so there is no financial risk to you to get started. Call our law firm today at 1-866-MICH-LAW and schedule your no-obligation, free case evaluation.

Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.

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