Being involved in any kind of motor vehicle case is challenging, but the stakes are much higher when the accident includes a truck. The way you perceive the accident is difficult, but an untrained eye cannot see the entire picture. When fighting for your rights and compensation, an attorney has to have the proper arsenal. This arsenal is tied in with the evidence of the accident. Securing the evidence in a way that it can be used in court is what your truck accident lawyer does best.
Cause Of The Accident
Your attorney knows how to separate cause and effect. The truck swerved into your lane sending your car into the guardrail. The accident was the effect of the collision. The cause could have been that the driver fell asleep at the wheel. In fact, it could have been any number of things. Some common causes include:
- The driver was texting and driving, distracted, or frustrated with the flow of traffic.
- He or she could have been taking drugs to make them stay awake which affected their driving.
- A part on the truck may have malfunctioned.
- The driver could have lost control due to poor road conditions.
- The load on the truck could have shifted causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Gathering evidence fromthe accident allows for your attorney to assign blame to the proper parties. For example, if there was a part that malfunctioned sending the truck out of control, the company that made the part may be liable. If the people who loaded the cargo loaded it improperly, rendering the truck hard to control, the cargo company may be liable. In some cases, you will bring charges against the truck line and the driver.
Evidence
Evidence includes photographs, police reports, inspection reports, and an audit of the driver’s logbook. It is possible that more than one factor caused the tragedy. In that case, lawsuits may be brought against several different parties.
Injury
It is not uncommon for an accident like this to cause serious harm to your body. Sometimes you are lucky and will recover. Other times, you may have to go through months of physical and mental therapy. You may suffer from PTSD for years to come. Sometimes, you will carry the injuries for the rest of your life.
Your attorney will work with your doctors to secure tests and records that will give the judge a clear picture of the actual injury you are to deal with. You are entitled by law to be compensated for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of wages, (present and future). If you require special equipment and the help of caregivers until you heal, the at-fault person or persons will have to pay for that. If your home or automobile must be altered to accommodate you, they will have to pay for that as well.
The evidence is what your case is built on. Contacting a truck accident attorney as soon as possible helps you obtain and preserve that evidence. Long story short, is the most important factor of your case.