When Should I Consult a Truck Accident Lawyer

When should I consult a truck accident lawyer? You should consult a truck accident lawyer if you have serious injuries, there is a dispute over fault, a loved one died in the crash, or if you have other concerns.

If you are hurt, you may be unsure about what to do to protect your future. Contact a Rhode Island truck accident lawyer in any of the following situations before you settle for compensation.

You Have Serious Injuries

It is critical to consult a truck accident lawyer if you have serious injuries, including those requiring ongoing medical care, hospitalization, or long–term support. Serious injuries require more substantial compensation for victims, but proving all associated losses is also more complex. If you have any of the following types of injuries, discuss your case with a truck accident lawyer before you settle your claim:

• Traumatic brain injury with or without lasting impact on cognitive function
• Spinal cord injuries with partial or full paralysis
• Chronic pain development from nerve damage
• Complex fractures and crushing injuries
• Burns
• Road rash
• Amputations
• Internal organ injuries, including internal bleeding
• Loss of consciousness at the time of the accident

In each of these situations, your truck accident lawyer will help you understand what your long-term complications may be, what your medical and non-medical losses are related to these injuries, and what future medical costs you may have. Your lawyer’s resources are exceptional, meaning they can find the care you need and provide you with the legal support necessary to seek maximum compensation.

Your Family Member Died as a Result of a Truck Accident

Consult a Rhode Island wrongful death lawyer if your spouse, child, parent, or other close family member lost their life as a result of a truck driver’s mistakes and recklessness. Filing a wrongful death claim is complex, but the financial needs in these situations are often very high. By working with a trusted and experienced truck accident lawyer, family members learn what their rights are, including:

• Financial compensation for losses the victim would have recovered had they lived
• Costs related to burial and funeral costs
• Pain and suffering damages
• Damages for loss of companionship
• Financial compensation for dependents of the deceased

Insurance companies representing truck companies are not on your side. They want to settle the wrongful death claim for as little as possible as quickly as they can. This puts you at risk and does not help you get justice for your loved one’s death. Consult a truck accident lawyer to make sure you are receiving truly fair treatment.

When to Consult a Lawyer for a Truck Accident: There Is a Dispute Over Fault

In any situation where there is a dispute over who is at fault for the accident, consult a Rhode Island personal injury lawyer before you move forward. Police reports typically provide some indication of fault after a truck accident, but they may not have all the necessary evidence to determine what caused the accident.

If you are told you are at fault or that you are partially at fault in the accident, consult an attorney. Let an attorney provide a comprehensive investigation to determine if there are any additional bits of evidence that demonstrate the other party is at fault, a third party may be responsible, or your level of fault is much lower than that of the truck driver. This may enable you to recover damages.

Under Rhode Island General Laws § 9-20-4, the state follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means you can recover damages for any losses you have, though the value is reduced by the percentage of compensation you maintain. For example, if a jury finds you to be 80% to blame for the accident, you are still able to recover 20% of your losses from the at-fault party. Your attorney will work to minimize any claim of fault on your shoulders to maximize the compensation owed to you.

The Insurance Company Is Not Honoring Your Claim

It can be important to consult a truck accident lawyer in any instance in which the insurance company is not treating you fairly. There are numerous strategies the insurance company may use to minimize the compensation paid to you, even convincing you that you do not have the right to any compensation. If any of the following apply to your situation right now, seek help from a truck accident lawyer:

• The insurance company denied your claim
• The adjuster for the truck insurance company continues to stall or will not answer your calls
• Your case is approaching the three-year statute of limitations in Rhode Island, and you do not have a settlement in hand yet
• The insurance company is questioning your injuries
• The truck company is not willing to share evidence about the truck driver’s record, health, or Hours of Service requirements
• Negotiations with the insurance company stalled
• For any reason, you believe the insurance company is abusing your rights or treating you in bad faith

Insurance companies are not your ally. The adjuster’s job is to do whatever they can to minimize the amount of compensation they pay. By denying and delaying your claim, they may force you to file a lawsuit or, even more preferably for the truck company, cause you to walk away. This puts your future at risk. Consult a truck accident lawyer in any situation where the insurance company is violating your right to fair compensation.

There Is No Risk in Consulting a Truck Accident Lawyer

A Rhode Island truck accident lawyer from Gemma Law Firm will offer free consultations to provide victims with an opportunity to learn what their rights are and ensure the truck’s insurance company is not taking advantage of them. 

If you consult a truck accident lawyer, you only pay that law firm for their services if you win your case. That means there is no reason not to consult a truck accident lawyer to find out if they can help you recover fair damages.