HomeBlogTruck AccidentHow to Protect Your Truck Accident Claim With a Personal Injury Lawyer in Dallas Texas is among the top 11 states, leading the nation in truck accidents. According to a report by KTVZ-21 that referenced 2023 accident data, 20,507 accidents in the Lone Star state resulted in over 12,000 injuries and 708 fatalities.
Many victims who sustain injuries not only have to deal with physical and emotional trauma but also extensive medical treatment, financial challenges, and legal proceedings. Thankfully, they might be able to cover medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering if they receive compensation after filing a truck accident claim.
Personal injury lawyers in Dallas can help you throughout the claim process as they possess the expertise and resources to navigate complex cases. If you are an accident victim, here are a few tips from Dallas personal injury lawyers that can help you protect your claim.
Every year in the US, there are approximately 388,000 truck accidents, which account for 6.5% of all vehicular collisions reported. They often occur due to:
Many involve multiple parties, potentially severe injuries and damages, and complex legal frameworks- factors that can complicate truck accident claims. Navigating them often requires the expertise of skilled truck injury attorneys. However, the actions you take following a truck accident can also affect the outcome of your case.
Accidents are often traumatic experiences, especially when they involve severe injuries. Your safety and well-being should be the priority, but there are also immediate steps you should take if you have been involved in a truck accident.
Report the accident to the authorities and seek medical attention, even if you don’t feel pain right away. Truck accident injuries such as whiplash, concussion, and internal organ injuries may not be apparent immediately and can manifest later. Delaying medical care can jeopardize your health and weaken your claim.
Once you are physically able, gather evidence that can support your claim. Collect photos, identify witnesses and get their contact information, as well as police reports from the accident scene. If your injuries are too severe, it might be best to hire an experienced attorney.
Personal injury lawyers in Dallas can do much more than simply gather evidence to help your case. They can guide you through the legal process and handle communications with insurance companies.
This is crucial as insurance companies are skilled negotiators who may try to minimize payouts. An attorney can negotiate on your behalf and help protect your rights.
Once hired, your attorney should handle any communications or issues concerning the accident. Avoid discussing the accident publicly without a legal representative present. This includes posting about the accident on social media, as this and public discussions can impact your claim.
Experienced Dallas lawyers can help protect clients’ rights throughout the claim process. They can provide personalized support and guidance by:
Dallas personal injury attorneys have experience investigating accidents, including gathering evidence, such as accident reports and expert testimony. They can also help identify negligence by the truck driver, trucking company, or other parties, to facilitate the determination of liability.
An attorney can help you build a stronger case by collecting and analyzing critical evidence such as black box data and maintenance records. Such evidence can provide objective, tangible proof to help determine liability, potentially leading to a more favorable outcome.
The first step to achieving this often involves preserving evidence. Your lawyer may send a spoliation letter to ensure the trucking company preserves evidence, which is crucial for building a strong case. They can then try to support the evidence obtained with expert testimony from accident reconstruction specialists or medical professionals to help strengthen your claim.
Insurance companies will try to settle claims quickly to avoid the costs and complexities of litigation. Their ultimate goal is to minimize payouts and maximize profits. Initial settlement offers are often too low.
Having a lawyer negotiate with the insurance company can help you avoid misinterpretations and low settlement offers. The work an attorney does to build a strong case, such as gathering evidence, establishing liability, and filing a lawsuit, if necessary, helps them to secure, in some cases, fair compensation that covers some or all damages.
Unfortunately, despite your attorney’s negotiating efforts, some insurance companies may deny liability or stand firm on offering an inadequate settlement. If both parties cannot mutually agree on appropriate compensation, and your claim is strong, you can have your attorney take your case to court, where a judge or jury will decide the outcome.
In preparation for this, your attorney will:
Your attorney will advocate for you in court by presenting evidence and arguments in an effort to secure a favorable verdict. Having assessed all your damages and calculated the associated costs, they will work to get you appropriate compensation.
Thousands of truck accidents are reported every year in Texas, and many, unfortunately, result in serious injuries. Victims are often left dealing with medical issues and financial challenges. If you’re involved in a truck accident, follow the steps outlined above, including reporting the accident immediately and hiring a personal injury lawyer.
Experienced personal injury lawyers in Dallas can assist you in filing a claim, protect your rights throughout the process, and work to help secure appropriate compensation for you.
Williams & Cannon, PLLC, is a top-rated injury law firm established since 1991. We have handled thousands of personal injury cases where our clients have had favorable outcomes and will work to achieve the same for you.
Let us protect your rights so you can focus on recovery. Contact us for a FREE consultation today.