You should not question whether you need to hire a truck accident lawyer for your case. Your financial future is on the line, and the insurance and trucking companies have many tricks up their sleeves. The more relevant question is, at what point in your case you should retain a lawyer? There is no upside in waiting to hire a lawyer; you can only harm your case if you delay getting the legal representation you need. An experienced truck accident attorney in Pennsylvania will have the knowledge and experience to build a strong case on your behalf, gather evidence, calculate damages, and negotiate with insurance companies.
Many things can happen in the days after a truck accident. If you are exploring a truck crash claim, you have likely suffered a serious injury since a truck is much larger than the average car. Simply stated, your plate is already full, and the last thing you want to deal with is the legal process.
At the same time, there are numerous things that you have to do legally right after your accident. Much of the evidence you need to prove your case is in the hands of the trucking companies. They have black box data and driver safety records; preserving this evidence is critical. Eventually, you can obtain this proof in the discovery process if it is relevant to your case. However, these documents may disappear before you can access them. Then, your attorney will send the trucking company a litigation hold letter, directing it to preserve the evidence in anticipation of a possible court case.
You need physical evidence but may lose it if you do not gather it right after the accident. Witness statements and pictures of the accident scene can be crucial in your insurance claim or determine whether a lawsuit can survive an initial motion to dismiss your case. This evidence can have a minimal shelf life, and even if you are in a position to collect proof, you may not know the proper procedures. A skilled attorney will know how to quickly gather and preserve the necessary evidence, such as accident reports, witness statements, and black box data.
Attempting to do much work when you suffer an injury and high stakes are a combination that can sink your legal case. Then, you have to worry about what the insurance and trucking can do in the days after the accident to protect themselves at your expense. Insurance companies think nothing of pressuring a vulnerable and injured accident victim to speak with them on the record. They are looking for you to give them ammunition that they can use against you through your own words. When you hire a lawyer to represent you, they will act as a buffer between the insurance company and you, protecting you from making a mistake that can compromise your case.
The legal process will take a considerable amount of time. When so much money is at stake, the insurance and trucking companies will do everything they can to make your case move at a glacial pace. They want you to be desperate and more willing to deal with them on their terms. There is one part of the legal process that you can control, which is to contact a lawyer as soon as you are able. You cannot afford to wait until you are well. First, you may never fully recover. Second, legal cases get far more complex as time passes, and you cannot expect a lawyer to come in months after the accident and obtain the necessary proof. For example, the trucking company may have overwritten or deleted data from the black box.
It can take years from when you file a truck accident lawsuit until any money is in your account. Even if your truck accident lawyer does not file a lawsuit on your behalf immediately, they can at least begin investigating the accident and working on your case. Calling a lawyer is the first step in the legal process, which you must take soon.
You do not have to worry about physically coming into a lawyer’s office to speak with them. Those days are in the past because, thanks to technology, you can talk to your lawyer over the phone or meet with them virtually. A lawyer will often meet you where you are, even coming to see you in the hospital.
If you cannot make the call, have a family member reach out to an attorney on your behalf. If you are reading this after a loved one was critically injured or killed in a truck accident, you are the one who will have to contact the lawyer. You cannot let too much time elapse before you make the call. In a legal case, you are the one who has to take the first step to speak to a lawyer.
Many people believe they must pay a lawyer at the beginning of a case, but the good news is that this is not true. The personal injury law system is unique because you only pay a lawyer if you win your case. The contingency fee system helps you afford the legal help you need no matter what. A lawyer will not ask you to write them any checks, nor will they send you any bills for their time.
By hiring a truck accident attorney, you level the playing field and ensure you have an advocate to protect your rights. A lawyer will advocate for your best interests, handle all communication with the insurance companies, and fight for maximum compensation. Don’t face the aftermath of a truck accident alone – consult an experienced Pennsylvania personal injury attorney who can guide you through the process and help you achieve a favorable outcome.
Marcus & Mack
