Reasons to Contact a Lawyer After a Truck Accident
No one expects to get into an accident with a truck. If anything, most drivers are extra cautious around such vehicles that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds in the United States. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, nearly 5,000 trucks were involved in fatal accidents in 2017. No matter the safety precautions other drivers take, they can still fall victim to poorly maintained fleets or exhausted drivers.
When it comes to truck accidents, it is drivers in passenger cars that are most at risk. Trucks are large and heavy, so while they could crush a small car, they keep the truck driver relatively safer. An accident with a truck can result in life-altering injuries for anyone involved. This can prevent a victim from returning to work and racking up medical bills, creating many uncertainties. Luckily, contacting a personal injury attorney can assist you after an accident to receive compensation for the accident.
After a truck accident, a lawyer would most likely recommend filing a personal injury lawsuit. This is when a person has suffered, whether physically or emotionally, because of the negligence of the other party. It is the responsibility of the plaintiff and their lawyer to prove that the defending party was at fault. A lawyer will pull information such as the police report and federal regulations to compare to the accident and investigate if a third party could have been at fault.
It is necessary to collect evidence to prove that the truck driver or company was at fault. There are strict rules that companies have to follow placed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. For example, drivers have restrictions on the number of hours driven, and the amount of rest required between shifts. A driving log may be able to prove that the driver should not have been working, and the accident was caused by fatigue. A lawyer will know what to do with reports from the company, and how they can be beneficial to your personal injury case.
Another resource a lawyer will utilize in building your case is industry experts. If the driver told the deployed police how the accident happened, a reconstruction expert can verify the truth of statements on the police report. If medical treatment was required, a medical expert could testify that injuries were caused by none other than the truck accident. Expert testimony is a resource that an accident victim may not think of on their own.
Contact a Kane County Truck Accident Attorney
Speaking to a lawyer after a truck accident will ensure that you are covered after life-altering injuries due to negligence. If a truck accident has caused you pain and suffering, contact an experienced Aurora truck accident attorney to discuss your case today. Call our office at 630-907-0909 to schedule a free consultation.
Source:
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/data-and-statistics/large-truck-and-bus-crash-facts-2017
