The news is full of 18-wheeler accidents and those that found themselves up against such a large vehicle (quite literally) in a crash. Story after story documents the horrible injuries and deaths that have occurred from an accident with these large trucks. 18-wheeler accidents are no joke, so if you or a loved one has been in a recent wreck like this, it’s time to seek out an attorney as soon as possible.
Remember, when you are involved in a crash with an 18-wheeler, lawsuits can get complicated very quickly. It’s not just you against another person, it’s you against a big trucking company, and they have their legal team ready, so make sure yours is too.
Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents Versus Other Accidents
While there are a few different causes of a truck accident, there are also some similarities. For example, speeding and driving when too tired are common causes. In addition, many things can distract us from what we are doing, including phones, looking for directions through your navigation app, or just simply thinking about something other than driving safely.
When you think about the significant difference in the size of your car and an 18-wheeler, there are bound to be significant problems that come up in the event of a crash. This is why truck accidents have a much higher chance of being fatal. A couple of other important things to remember with large trucks is that they weigh so much more than a typical vehicle. Because of this, they are not able to stop as quickly. Taking more time and distance to stop can be the whole reason for a crash itself. There can also be mechanical failures and malfunctions to consider as well.
Important Reasons to Obtain an Experienced Attorney
Having an attorney ready to work on your behalf with the experience and education to protect you and the compensation you need is vital. You cannot expect to get the compensation that is essential for medical bills, continued therapy and treatment, vehicle damage, and the pain and suffering that you are experiencing by trying to handle everything on your own. This is one of the many reasons you must hire an experienced attorney. Other reasons include:
1. Help with Sorting Out Medical Injuries and Bills – Making sure you take care of yourself and any injuries incurred from the accident is the first and most important thing you can do – for yourself and your legal case. Get to the emergency room immediately if you lose consciousness, experience too much bleeding, have a head injury, or have trouble breathing. A doctor should look at any kind of life-threatening condition sooner than later.
If your injuries are less severe, you could go to an urgent care or even your personal physician for very mild injuries or concerns.
Make sure to receive the medical attention you need. Don’t brush symptoms off, thinking that they are nothing serious. They could be more than you know. In addition, when you file a lawsuit, insurance companies and lawyers will be paying close attention to your medical records. Therefore, having your injuries documented correctly and in the necessary timeframe will be a big deal and help your attorneys prove the seriousness of the accident.
Having an attorney help you sort through the important information in your medical records as well as keep track of medical bills that are most likely becoming overwhelming can keep things organized so that nothing is missed as you seek financial compensation for treatment and more.
2. An Attorney Can Gather Information to Build Your Case – Assuming you don’t have life-threatening injuries, take the opportunity to gather contact information and insurance details from the truck driver at the scene of the accident. Be sure to document what trucking company he/she works for as well. Take pictures of the accident and surrounding area from all angles. If there are witnesses, gather their contact information too. Photos, video, and some witness statements at the scene are irreplaceable. Your lawyer will be happy to collect your information as well as outstanding witness statements and more while building your case.
Your attorney can also approach nearby businesses that could have video footage of your accident. Take this step as soon as you can. Not all companies save videos for more than a few days. Video of your accident could be a big help as you go to court against the opposing team.
3. Tough Questions and Communication Handled Properly – It’s so very tempting to share your side of the story when someone asks, but you are better off saying nothing. This includes admitting any kind of fault to the other driver, witnesses, or police officers at the scene of the accident as well as to insurance companies.
However, you need to notify insurance companies about the wreck, but nothing more. This can be tough, especially when you are asked questions. Just remember, they are not asking questions to benefit you. They are working on building a case against you. Anything you say can be used in court, so be careful.
This is another reason why you should have an attorney to lean on. Turning any questions and communication over to them will ensure nothing is said that shouldn’t be and that it is all handled quickly and properly. Your attorney can also take emotion out of the situation so that everything can be communicated professionally.
Experience on Your Side
The attorneys at Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer, L.L.C. are not just any attorney team. They are the experienced 18-wheeler accident lawyers you need for your case. Don’t settle for anything less. As soon as you can after your accident, reach out and schedule an appointment to meet with a member of our team by calling (504) 522-2304.
Working with Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Warshauer, L.L.C., your trusted attorney will give you peace of mind as well as set you in a position to be compensated appropriately. So don’t wait any longer to make the call.
