Driving a truck is an excellent way to make a living. Truck drivers have the freedom to head off on varied journeys. A truck driver might be in California one day and then Oregon the next. At the same time, while driving a truck provides lots of advantages, problems may develop. Truck drivers need to be very careful. At night, they can be in danger from poorly lit roads and other hazards. During the day, they might encounter traffic. Reckless drivers are common any time of the day. Even trucker with a great many years of experience may suffer from problems. A minor accident can cause all kinds of issues. A much more dangerous accident involving a larger truck can easily lead to all sorts of serious consequences.
Working With Legal Counsel
In the event of a truck accident, the trucker may be left unsure what actions they should take next. A quick mistake can lead to all sorts of problems. The trucker may have minor injuries such as a sprained ankle. More serious injuries such as broken bones are also quite common. The trucker can be standing at the scene of an accident not sure what they need to do if they’re getting medical attention. This is where a California truck accident attorney can be of use. Making a call to a lawyer is an excellent first step. The experienced lawyer can help anyone in the aftermath of an accident. They’ll be there to help the person decide exactly what to do. A lawyer can speak on behalf of the client to many parties. This includes those who are called to the scene to investigate the accident. It also includes any other party directly involved in the accident such as another driver or a pedestrian as well as any passengers in other cars.
Extremely Complicated
Some accidents are simple. A driver accidentally makes a wrong turn. A toddler runs into traffic. This is not true for accidents. A truck accident typically involves the driver as well as the material they are transporting. Truckers are typically on the road in varied places. They might be under one jurisdiction when they left with the items they’re transporting. They might cross several state lines when they finally arrive. The driver might be a rest stop or at a supermarket. A driver might also be on a highway. The situation can involve just the driver or any passengers there with them. A driver might work for more than one company or a single outfit. The truck accident might involve other trucks or another car. All of these factors mean a California truck accident attorney should be on hand to ensure all rules and regulations are adhered to at all times.
What the Attorney Can Do
Accidents involving such large vehicles can be incredibly scary. Even experienced truck drivers might not know how to respond. A large vehicle like a truck has the potential to cause all kinds of problems. If the driver makes a minor mistake like a slight swerve, the results can be serious. A driver might hit something like a stoplight or a parked car. If the truck’s systems are malfunctioning in any way, the truck driver can easily be seriously injured. A driver may feel fine only to find they have problems like range of motion issues or lingering headaches. The best personal injury lawyer can be there to help. They know how to navigate all of these issues on behalf of their clients.
An attorney can be at the scene of the accident quickly. They can see firsthand what the scene looks like and then testify on behalf of the trucker in court. Cops will generally be at the scene immediately. They want to speak to the driver. It is important to remember that the cop may be looking to determine fault even if no one is at fault. An attorney can ensure the cop is adhering to all legal requirements when at the scene. They’ll ensure the scene is examined correctly and no evidence is lost. The lawyer can also speak to medical professionals at the scene and record what is happening accurately for posterity.
Filing All Paperwork
Any accident of this kind requires a lot of paperwork. The police will need to file a report. Trucking companies require the driver to explain what happened, why it happened and what the driver did after the accident. Auto and medical insurance companies need paperwork with details on hand after the accident. It’s easy to make a mistake. If the paperwork isn’t filed correctly, this can cause all kinds of problems. Even a slightly inaccurate form might mean the trucker isn’t allowed to work until the matter is cleared up, leading to a severe loss in income.
A Claim
The truck accident can leave the driver with medical problems. This can make it hard for them to return to work for a few weeks. Injuries that are more serious can leave the driver without the ability to work in the industry ever again. All truck drivers need to know their rights under the law. Many states offer temporary compensation to those who have been injured while on the job. Many others offer disability payments that the driver can receive. They may also be eligible for funds they can apply for additional education that can lead to a new profession. The best personal injury lawyer is someone who can sort it all for them. They can help them understand specifics about the laws such as filing deadlines and all possible admissible evidence. A lawyer can help the driver sort it all out while they are in the process of recovery.
Proving a Case
Determining liability is not easy in any accident. This is particularly true of trucking accidents. There are thousands of trucking companies in the United States. There are millions of trucks on the road and even more cars. Multiple parties may have at least some responsibility for the accident. This includes the trucker’s employer, the truck’s owner and the company that manufactured the truck. A trucker may not own the truck. They may also not know about issues relating to the truck that can compromise their ability to handle it on the road.
Lawyers understand how to manage all of these factors. They know what to do at the scene of the accident, how to respond once the driver is getting any medical attention and what to do in the aftermath and beyond. Lawyers can and will gather evidence on behalf of the driver such as speaking to any observers, examining cell phone records, any video surveillance and medical records that can be used to support the trucker’s version of what happened and why it happened. They can immediately interview witnesses and record the testimony for use later.
In short, a lawyer is a must after any trucking accident. The lawyer is there to act as the trucker’s representative in all matters. All truck drivers should know who to contact immediately. The right lawyer can make a difference and ensure the trucker is properly represented after the accident.
