Why are 18-wheeler/Semi-Truck accidents different?
Often, accidents with 18-wheelers or semi-trucks can involve devastating personal injuries due to the significant weight of the truck and the load. These accidents may happen on the highway at higher speeds, where trucks and 18-wheelers take longer to stop their vehicle. Because of the danger that 18-wheelers pose and the skill involved in safely driving/maneuvering these vehicles, drivers with Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDLs) are held to a higher standard of care than the average driver. It is important to hire a law firm with experience navigating the legal standards for a successful case outcome when personal injuries are severe.
why contact an attorney following an accident with an 18-wheeler?
18-wheelers and semi-trucks are usually equipped with a “black box”, which is important evidence in a case where liability may be contested. Reaching out to an experienced attorney right away is crucial as attorneys can request that specific types of evidence be preserved by the trucking company. An experienced law firm can also help to store your vehicle and coordinate expert inspections in complicated cases. Our firm has significant experience in making sure that evidence is preserved even before a lawsuit is filed.
cost of an attorney
If you retain our firm for your personal injuries, you will not be required to pay a retainer fee. Instead, we work for a contingency fee. This means that you will not owe anything unless and until we recover a settlement or obtain a verdict. Should you receive compensation for your injuries, our fee consists of a percentage of the settlement or verdict. If we are unable to recover, you will not owe our firm anything.
Claims Process
Our firm can help guide your through the claims process while you focus on your recovery. Once our firm is retained we will work to preserve evidence, order the accident report, and order your appropriate records. Our firm will communicate with the insurance company on your behalf and advocate for your rights. Should a claim not be resolved, our firm will litigate your claim in the appropriate court.