Did you know that an empty semi-truck with an empty trailer can weigh up to 40,000 pounds? Additionally, they can haul up to 60,000 pounds at a time. That means that the full weight of a semi might be upwards of 100,000 pounds.
If you get into an accident with a semi-truck, there is likely to be a lot of damage. Should you hire a truck accident lawyer for legal help?
The short answer is yes, you should hire a truck accident lawyer if you were involved in a collision. Keep reading to learn why.
Trucking Companies Are Bigger Than You
Not only are trucks much larger than cars, but trucking companies are also much bigger than you. Your chances of getting injured or experiencing horrible damage are high, but your chance of receiving compensation might not be.
Trucking companies have the money and a big budget to compensate you for damages and injuries. However, they also have enough funds to hire the best legal representation to avoid having to give you anything.
Without a truck accident lawyer working on your case, you are the underdog.
Insurance Companies Might Lowball You
After a collision, insurance companies will get together to gather information about the drivers involved in the accident. To come up with a compensation amount, they will look at police reports and other evidence.
This sounds all fine and dandy, but insurance companies are notorious for lowballing victims. When they send you a letter offering a certain amount of compensation, don’t sign it without speaking to a truck accident attorney.
If you sign the offer letter, you won’t be able to file a lawsuit for the accident. Not every truck accident case will turn into a lawsuit, but you’ll want to keep the possibility open if you can’t come to a settlement.
Avoid signing anything before you know the extent of your injuries. Some semi-truck accident injuries can manifest over time.
Help Recovering Non-Economic Damages
An insurance company may offer you enough to pay your medical bills from the accident, but this doesn’t mean you should sign the letter.
Your losses from the accident are likely to be much bigger than medical expenses.
If you go the lawsuit route, a truck accident injury lawyer can help you recover damages for the income you lost from the inability to work after the collision.
Pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and emotional distress are non-economic damages you may be able to recover if the accident negatively impacted your life in a non-financial way.
During a consultation with a truck accident lawyer, the law professional will be able to tell you if you can fight for economic and non-economic damages.
Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer
If you were in a truck accident in Birmingham, Alabama, there are a lot of reasons to hire an attorney.
A truck accident lawyer can fight against the law team hired by the trucking company. They can also negotiate with the insurance company so you get a fair amount, in addition to asking for non-economic damages.
Are you ready to get started with your truck accident claim? Contact us today to go over your legal options.