Trucking companies put all of their resources to work immediately to minimize their liability. You should do the same.
Being involved in a car accident with a tractor trailer can be a very serious situation. Because of the size of the vehicle involved, they often result in serious and sometimes fatal injuries. Victims of truck accidents may not know what steps to take and many of them do not consider discussing their case with a St. Louis car accident lawyer. Yet, there are many reasons why it is a good idea to do so.
If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident with a tractor trailer, there are a few reasons why you may decide to discuss your case with an experienced auto accident attorney.
You Are Not just Dealing with the Driver
In most of these cases, the victims of a tractor trailer accident don’t necessarily deal directly with the truck driver involved in the accident. They deal with the company who hired them, and their insurance company.
Most of these companies will conduct their own investigations into the accident and build a case against you. Because of it, even the smallest mistake made in the past can be used against you. If you were, for instance, involved in a fender bender years ago, the insurance company can argue you have a history of reckless behavior, and your own fault will come into question.
Trucking Laws Are Different Than Auto Laws
The trucking industry has its own legislation, and you may be surprised to find out it’s not as easy to understand as you’d expect it to be.
For instance, a truck driver is only allowed to drive a specific number of hours, after which they must take a break. Now, this information is crucial when building a trucking accident case because it can help you reach a better settlement if you can prove the driver did not follow the rules. But, you have to first be familiar with the rules.
Lawyers Know How These Cases Go
It’s not like in the movies. Truck accident cases, or auto accident cases in general, are unpredictable, and regardless of how much you read up on the legislation and try to represent yourself, you’ll never be 100% prepared for everything.
But a lawyer with experience will be, and they’ll know how to build a compelling case in your favor. Plus, it’s unlikely anything will catch them off guard.
There is No Coming Back from Mistakes
If you don not hire an attorney to handle your case, you are giving the insurance company a piece of very good news. They have you at a disadvantage because they know it’s only a matter of time until you make a mistake. Even something as small as being vague in one of your depositions could have a negative impact in your case, and it may prove difficult to repair your mistakes.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
Trucking companies put all of their resources to work immediately to minimize their liability. You should do the same. If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident with a tractor trailer, contact The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. Commercial tractor trailer accidents are often more complex than most auto accidents. The trucking company is federally regulated and this factor greatly influences how the crash is investigated and how liability is determined.