A truck accident can happen in the blink of an eye, but the consequences can last for months or even years. Without someone fighting for your rights, you may never fully recover. Don’t leave your future in someone else’s hands – contact a Statesboro truck accident attorney at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm to discuss your case and your options. Call our local attorneys today at 912-764-3434.
What Your Truck Accident Case May Be Worth
Many truck accident victims make the mistake of attempting to settle their claims without the help of a lawyer. As a result, they wind up settling their cases for far less than they are worth, leaving them with uncovered losses. For some, this means leaving thousands or even millions of dollars of compensation on the table that they are entitled to recover.
A skilled Statesboro truck accident attorney will make sure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Your claim for damages will likely include the following components:
- Your medical bills. Even if you have health insurance, your out-of-pocket expenses such as deductibles and copays could be significant. For those who don’t have health insurance, your medical bills could present a financial crisis. A Statesboro truck accident attorney will make sure that your medical bills are covered so that you can get the treatment you need.
- Your lost wages. Most accident victims have to miss work in order to recover from their injuries, even if it is limited to time off in order to go to doctors’ appointments. For those who are unable to work due to their injuries, the lost income means that they can’t pay their bills. A Statesboro truck accident attorney can help you get the compensation you need to pay your bills and take care of your family.
- The cost to repair or replace your vehicle. While most of this cost will likely be covered by insurance, you may be entitled to compensation to pay any deductibles or other uncovered losses.
- Your pain and suffering. This is often the most difficult component for non-lawyers to recover because your pain and suffering are subjective. However, that doesn’t mean your pain and suffering aren’t real or that you aren’t entitled to compensation. A Statesboro truck accident attorney will know how to formulate this portion of your claim so that you can truly be made whole.
The bottom line is that your claim may be worth far more than you might think. An experienced Statesboro truck accident attorney will be able to provide you with an estimate of the value of your claim at your initial consultation.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Understanding the cause of your accident is a necessary step in determining who is responsible for your losses. Some of the common causes of truck accidents include the following:
- Driver negligence. Most truck accidents are the result of negligence on the part of the truck driver, just like with any other motor vehicle accident. Some of the unique forms of negligence that lead to truck accidents include driving while distracted, driving while fatigued, or errors made due to driver inexperience.
- Mechanical failures. Large trucks have greater maintenance requirements due to the incredible number of miles they drive every year. Tire blowouts, brake failures, or trailer and hitch failures can quickly result in a very serious accident. Drivers should not get on the road if they know their truck is unsafe and trucking companies should be diligent in performing necessary maintenance and repairs.
- Unsecured loads. Large trucks can haul a significant amount of weight. When their cargo isn’t properly loaded or isn’t fully secure, it can drastically affect the way the truck handles. As a result, the driver may unexpectedly lose control of the truck and cause an accident. Alternatively, unsecured loads can become loose and fall into the roadway, causing hazards for other drivers that can lead to an accident.
- Unqualified drivers. Driving a large truck requires a specific skill set. Trucking companies have an obligation to ensure that their drivers have adequate training and experience to ensure that they will be able to drive safely when on the road.
- Unsupervised drivers. Trucking companies also have a responsibility to supervise their drivers. For this reason, many trucking companies are monitoring their drivers via GPS. However, trucking companies should take disciplinary action against drivers who ignore traffic laws and other safety restrictions, including termination.
Determining what caused your accident is rarely easy. In some cases, you may need access to the trucking company’s records. Even if you think the cause is obvious, a Statesboro truck accident attorney can help you build the strongest possible case so that you can maximize the compensation you recover.
How a Statesboro Truck Accident Attorney Can Help
Even if you don’t want to file a lawsuit or go to court, a Statesboro truck accident attorney can help you with almost every aspect of your claim. To begin, they can help you gather important documents and other evidence you will need to prove your case. From there, they can handle all communications with the trucking company, its driver, and its insurance company, protecting your interests and protecting you against saying or doing anything that could undermine your claim. Once all of the evidence has been gathered, they can then submit a well-documented claim that strongly sets forth the amount of compensation that you need to cover your losses.
Once your claim has been submitted, your lawyer can then handle the settlement process. This may involve some negotiation. However, it is important to emphasize that the decision as to whether or not you should settle is always yours. Your lawyer’s role is to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision.
If you choose not to settle your claim, your lawyer can of course handle all of the legal proceedings on your behalf. The legal system is very difficult for non-lawyers to navigate, but your lawyer can lead you through the process so that you can get the best possible result.
Injured in a Truck Accident? Speak to a Statesboro Truck Accident Attorney Now
At Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, we help truck accident victims rebuild their lives. If you have been injured in a truck accident and don’t know where to turn, reach out to us at 912-764-3434 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and how we can help.
