Accidents involving 18-wheelers can be devastating. When these trucks are involved in collisions with passenger vehicles, it often results in life-changing injuries or fatalities. If you were involved in an auto accident with a big rig, you must take legal action as soon as possible.
At Child & Jackson Personal Injury Lawyers, our California truck accident lawyer understand how devastating the aftermath of a semi-truck accident can be and how important it is for accident victims to obtain compensation as soon as possible.
What Are the Steps to File a Personal Lawsuit After a Truck Accident?
Typically, after a truck accident, you will file a claim with the truck driver’s insurance provider, and/or the trucking company’s insurance provider. If the insurance company refuses to make a reasonable settlement offer, then you may need to proceed with filing a personal injury lawsuit. However, most truck accident cases are settled out of court.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Truck Accident?
In California, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party. If you miss this important deadline, your case may be dismissed, and you will be unable to recover any compensation for your accident-related damages. At Child & Jackson Personal Injury Lawyers, our truck accident lawyers can handle every aspect of your case, including ensuring your case is filed within the state’s statute of limitations.
Should I Hire a Lawyer for My Truck Accident Lawsuit?
Truck accident claims can be very complex. There are often multiple parties involved, which means multiple insurance providers and policies. When you hire a truck accident lawyer at Child & Jackson Personal Injury Lawyers, they know how to investigate these types of collisions, what evidence is needed, and how to fight for the fair settlement every accident victim is entitled to.
If settlement negotiations are not successful, an attorney may recommend pursuing compensation in court by filing a personal injury lawsuit. An attorney will only recommend filing a lawsuit if they believe that their client stands a better chance of recovering more compensation in court.
Other ways a truck accident lawyer can help include:
- Investigating the collision
- Gathering evidence
- Consulting with experts
- Calculating damages
- Filing paperwork
- Handling all interactions with the insurance company
- Negotiating with the insurance company
- Filing a lawsuit, if necessary
- Representing you in court
During this difficult time, your attorney will handle every aspect of your case, allowing you to focus on your recovery and moving forward with your life.
What Damages Can I Claim in a Truck Accident Lawsuit?
The damages you’re entitled to will depend on the circumstances surrounding the accident, how much time you missed at work, the severity of your injuries, whether your injuries will require medical treatment in the future, and other variables.
In some cases, a truck accident victim can recover the following types of damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Past and future medical care costs
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
Your truck accident lawyer will carefully review your case and determine which damages you’re entitled to, ensuring you pursue every penny of compensation you’re owed. If you suffered life-changing injuries, your attorney may consult with medical professionals to learn more about your injuries and prognosis to accurately calculate the damages for future medical care costs.
Contact Us Today
If you were injured in an accident with a semi-truck, the legal team at Child & Jackson Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Our truck accident lawyers offer free legal consultations where we can help you explore your legal options and rights and learn how we can help you recover the fair settlement you deserve for an accident that was caused by the negligence of another. Contact us today to learn more.
