Truck accidents can cause severe damage and injury in a traffic accident. These truck accidents can even result in fatalities to drivers of smaller vehicles. Truck accidents involving tanks, trailers, and other commercial trucks can also cause severe damage to the environment and private property when they load hazardous substances. Flammable material spills, explosions, fires, and other consequences stemming from truck accidents can impact an area or community for months or years.
But when should you consult a truck accident lawyer?
The Prevention
There are several ways to prevent truck accidents in your community:
- Keep your distance from trucks while driving. Trucks need more time to slow down and brake completely. Never drive so close to a truck that you don’t give the driver time to avoid an accident. Leave space between your car and trailer trucks, especially if the weather is bad and you risk skidding on the roads.
- Stay visible. Make it easy for trucks to see you. Avoid blind spots, such as driving sideways or closely behind the truck. Use the lights when it’s dark or visibility is poor. Make eye contact with the truck driver to make sure you have seen it.
- Treat trucks with respect. Do not treat truck drivers like those of any other vehicle. Make sure you are extremely cautious and stay alert to locate where the trucks are and how they are moving on the roadways. If you see that a truck driver is driving strangely, park and contact the authorities in case the driver is drunk or fatigued.
- Remove distractions. You need to stay focused on the streets, especially when driving near trailers, and 18-wheeler trucks. Never be distracted by your cellphone, car dashboard, or anything else. Be careful even with hands-free devices. Studies show that using those devices involves a mental distraction that can decrease your response times when driving.
If you find yourself in a truck accident, whether you were driving the truck or not, you should still see an attorney to know more about the legal aspects involved.
Consulting a Lawyer
Finding a truck accident lawyer is easy if you search the internet or directories. However, how can you compare different lawyers to find the best one for you? There are a few things you should look out for:
- What cases has the attorney previously represented? Look for an experienced attorney who has handled specific personal injury and truck accident cases. Truck accident cases are different from car accident cases. Therefore, look for an attorney who has experience dealing with insurers representing commercial clients.
- What is the attorney’s case history? Look for an attorney who has a track record of success, as you’ll want to hire someone who has a chance of winning the case.
- What kind of resources does an attorney have? Look for an attorney who has the ability to get expert witnesses for your case: medical experts, investigators, among others.
- How happy are other customers? Look for references and testimonials from other clients to see how well those attorneys have worked with other people.
Consult a Lawyer
Find out if the lawyer works for a contingency fee. If you’ve been in a truck accident, you may be concerned about legal fees. If you work with an attorney who charges contingency fees, you won’t have to pay legal expenses until the case settles or wins the trial. When this happens, the attorney will collect the legal expenses plus your compensation fees, getting you the money to fund a formal lawsuit without having to settle the expenses immediately.
If you think you need an attorney who works on contingency fees, be sure to ask about fees and collection processes. Consult an attorney right away. Visit this website for more info.