A collision with an 18-wheeler can be a traumatic and life changing event. If you or a loved one are injured by an 18-wheeler, understand that the actions you take after that collision can be important to the ultimate resolution of your claim against the driver and the trucking company. The sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner you can protect yourself and preserve evidence that may be critical to your claim. Time is not always on your side. Each state has strict statutes of limitations that govern the time in which a lawsuit must be filed. Failure to meet that deadline will bar your potential recovery. Additionally, many trucking companies have personnel that begin investigating your claim immediately after the crash. In short – the trucking company is contacting its attorney immediately after the crash. You should too.
Hiring an attorney shortly after a crash with an 18-wheeler will ensure your rights are protected at each step of the process. In certain circumstances, truck drivers are required to take drug tests within 24 hours after a crash. Additionally, it may be important to preserve your vehicle so it can be used as evidence in litigation. Your attorney can ensure that your rights are protected, even before a lawsuit is filed.
18- Wheeler Attorney Advantage
As technology has progressed, so have commercial vehicles. 18-wheelers now come equipped with cameras and computers that monitor in real time the location, speed, and changes in acceleration of the vehicle. That data can be critical evidence in your case to show the truck driver’s response time, speed at the time of the collision, driving route, and last stop. Each of these factors play an important role in showing the negligence of the driver. The sooner you hire an attorney, the sooner he or she can begin making efforts to ensure the trucking company preserves that data.
As the plaintiff, it is your legal burden to prove liability against the individuals or entities that you sue. Often times in 18-wheeler accident cases, meeting that legal burden necessitates the use of experts. Accident reconstruction experts are utilized to show how exactly the crash happened, and to opine on who is at fault. To formulate their opinions, the reconstruction expert will visit the crash site and photograph the road. The expert may also evaluate tire marks left on the road after the crash. Environmental factors such as rain, snow, and sleet may obscure valuable data left behind after the crash. Do not let this evidence go to waste.
Experienced Truck Lawyers
If you or a loved one are hit by an 18-wheeler, it is vital that you contact Perdue & Kidd immediately after that crash. The pathway to receiving a fair recovery is complex, adversarial, and can sometimes take more than a year. Let an experienced 18-wheeler attorney fight for you. Contact us here or on facebook.
