Working with a Fayetteville truck accident lawyer can have a substantial impact on the outcome of your case. After you’re in a wreck with a commercial truck, you probably have a lot of questions.
Questions such as who you talk to and what insurance company will cover your medical bills are important. But other questions such as, how you can get the maximum settlement are even more important. It’s imperative that people injured from trucking accidents get the legal help that they need.
Insurance companies will almost always try to minimize or outright avoid paying out on your claim. For many people involved in these accidents, it means paying medical bills out of pocket after losing weeks of pay because they missed work. The financial strain that comes after a trucking accident is severe, and you need help getting the maximum amount of compensation possible.
What’s more, is that most people feel they have to interact with the other insurance or trucking companies involved. Unfortunately, one wrong statement can leave you completely without the chance of seeing any type of compensation. Don’t let that happen to you, get legal guidance, and find out what compensation you deserve.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Fayetteville Truck Accident Lawyer?
The Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. allows people to have access to quality legal representation on a contingency fee agreement. That means you wreck with a truck or a tractor-trailer accident doesn’t have to just be between you and the insurance companies involved.
A contingency fee agreement means that we don’t get paid without winning compensation for you. Our contingency basis makes it possible for anyone to hire an attorney when they need guidance. In instances when you’re facing a legal team representing the trucking company you need a high-caliber attorney as well.
Our team understands that you are already facing the financial struggle of unpaid medical bills and lost wages. Your injuries have made life hard enough, which is why we don’t require you to pay attorney fees by the hour or put up hefty retainers.
Ultimately your legal fees will depend on the amount of compensation we win for your case.
Why Should I Hire A Truck Accident Attorney?
There are many obvious reasons to hire a Fayetteville truck accident lawyer. First and foremost, they have in-depth legal knowledge as well as training for the courtroom and handling settlements. Second is the experience. While lawyers have different degrees of experience, you want someone who has experience handling large insurance companies and large commercial transit companies. Other factors play a role in why you should involve a truck wreck lawyer. Consider these lesser known but still rather important reasons for bringing an experienced Fayetteville truck accident attorney onto your case.
Identify Who Is At Fault
Trucking accidents down always come with a clear cut solution on who was responsible. Unlike other car crashes, the driver is not the only one liable. The chain of responsible parties could include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company which employs the driver or otherwise acts as their agent
- The truck manufacturer or the manufacturer of various components in the event of a defect
- Insurance companies that may provide coverage
Defend Against Comparative Negligence
Many companies and other drivers will try to argue that you contributed to the accident. If your conduct is called into question, then you need someone to fight those claims. The allegation that you possibly caused or lent some responsibility to the crash will reduce the amount of compensation you may receive. In comparative negligence claims, you will only receive the percentage of compensation which the court assigns to the most responsible party.
Resource Medical Experts
Medical experts are vital for showing the value of your injuries, explaining the extent of your injuries, and working to assess future or ongoing medical needs. Working with medical experts on a consultation basis, a lawyer can ask that medical expert to testify as an expert witness. These medical experts may be able to prove the impact of your injuries. There are rules involved when using medical experts, but a skilled attorney will ensure that everything is in accordance with the law when calling in these resources.
Pursue a Lawsuit
If it is unreasonable or impossible to reach a fair settlement agreement before filing a lawsuit, your lawyer will file one on your behalf. Suing the responsible party may be the only solution to recover any compensation. Although there are many nuances within the legal system, a Fayetteville truck accident lawyer will orchestrate filing, discovery, and necessary court procedures for you.
Putting Your Needs First
Involved insurance and trucking companies will not consider your interests at all. They may understand that there’s a minimum payout for injuries that they may need to meet, but otherwise, it’s you against big budgets and confident legal teams. Businesses will do everything they can to keep their money, and that means that you’re the last person they probably consider. But when you bring in an experienced lawyer, you’ll have someone who will fight for fair compensation.
What Should I Do Immediately After A Truck Accident?
Right after an accident, there are a few necessary steps, but before anything else, you need to take charge of your safety. If it is possible to exit the vehicle, do so. After exiting the car, stand away from traffic. If you see smoke or smell burning, get away from any nearby vehicles, there is the possibility of a car fire. After reaching a safe place, call 911. Truck accidents almost always require emergency responders, and if nothing else you will need to file a full police report.
If you are able to and do not need immediate medical attention, you can begin documenting the crash site. Take photos or video of anything that may be related to the accident. You should take pictures of both vehicles, but also of the roadway, road conditions, and all damages.
If you experienced any injury from the crash or feel that documenting the scene is unsafe, do not put yourself in danger.
Common Injuries Of Truck Accidents
Each crash is unique, but the many different types of accidents often lead to the same injuries. Although the injuries may vary in type or severity, it’s vital that you seek medical attention. Common injuries from trucking accidents include:
TBI
TBI or Traumatic Brain Injury is a troubling issue because it often does not display all of its symptoms right away. The process in the brain which stores which we are, and our behaviors takes on damage in these crashes. Brain injuries can lead to changes in your personality, as well as deplete your communication abilities. Some people experience issues with paying attention or being able to focus
Whiplash
Although whiplash injuries come with a bit of skepticism after so much negative attention, they are still the most common injury in car crashes. The injury comes from the rapid back and forth movement of the head. The rapid force leads to muscle and nerve tissue damage. Symptoms of whiplash include headaches, inability to focus, memory issues, nausea, and more.
Broken and Fractured Bones
Impacts will often lead to broken or fractured bones, which can take months to heal. Although these injuries don’t lead to cognitive problems, they can make a recovery painful and difficult.
Burn Injuries
Truck accidents are unpredictable, and there are instances where a fuel line or tank may have led to a fire or explosion. If you took on burn injuries, seek medical help right away. Even seemingly small burns can lead to lifelong muscle and tissue damage. Don’t avoid medical treatment because of pride or believing that it’s not as bad as it looks. Burn injuries are very serious and may lead to other issues such as infection.
Who Regulates Commercial Trucks In Arkansas?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, FMCSA for short, formed in 2000. They oversee the majority of trucking activities, including commercial vehicles, and associated organizations across multiple industries. The FMSCA can create and enforce regulations concerning driver safety, cargo handling, and other areas that concern drivers.
Commercial transportation falls under the umbrella of FMCSA. But the FMSCA also oversees bus companies and any organization which transports 15 or more people.
Arkansas has many other regulations outside of the FMSCA, which involve various types or aspects of cargo and loading. One law which is a great example is State law 8-6-407. This law prohibits any commercial garbage hauling business from transporting cargo without a tarp or specific truck design. The cargo cannot leak, fall, or drop from the truck under any circumstance.
Regulations such as these can reduce the chances that the roadways could fill up with debris. Additionally, it reduces the risk of accidents happening because of debris on the roads and freeways. Other Arkansas laws include the proper way to transport any hazardous materials.
Causes Of Truck Accidents In Arkansas
Each collision stems from some root cause, if everyone were obeying the traffic laws and driving safely, then there would be no accidents. Some factors that could be present in a crash are more common than others. These factors include:
Distracted Driving
Whether it’s the phone, a navigation system, corresponding with their company, or talking to their partner, there are many distractions for truck drivers. A truck crash that comes from distracted driving may cost that driver their job. If there were drugs or any altering substances involved, it might cost them more than that.
Fatigued Driving
Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations set out expectations for drivers to take breaks after so many hours of driving. These regulations, however, don’t suit everyone. While some drivers ignore the regulations, some trucking companies create policies that make compliance impossible. If you believe that the driver in your crash was fatigued, you need legal help.
Improper Securement of Cargo
Maybe you weren’t directly hit by the truck but from something flying out of it or a truck jack-knifed in front of you. Cargo must meet FMCSA regulations with the use of securing devices as well as tie downs. Shifting cargo can cause a truck to jack-knife, or overturn.
Tire Blow-Out
Although a lot of care goes into maintaining a truck, it’s possible that a tire can blow, and the driver would lose control. With heavy trailers, regaining control may not be possible. The truck may swerve or worse after a tire blows.
Poor Weather
Adverse weather is known to plague Arkansas. From slippery road conditions, snow, ice, fog, and tornados, trucks face the same dangers as everyone else on the road. Poor visibility will increase the chances of a collision, and there are poor weather conditions all year round. Summer stones, hail, and more can lead to accidents.
How Much Is My Case Worth?
Trucking companies will often work to minimize the amount that they will need to pay out, even if it’s their insurance company footing the bill. A commercial truck accident case will likely depend on a private settlement or jury verdict. Both resolution options tend to be higher in trucking cases than in regular vehicle crashes.
The value of your case will largely depend on:
- Medical expenses
- Estimate for future or ongoing medical care
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Possible permanent disability
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Determining what your case is worth will depend on the extent of your injuries and many other needs. A trucking lawyer will provide you with an estimated value, a goal for compensation, and a representation strategy. A quality representation strategy is the best bet for recovery of full compensation.
We Handle A Variety Of Personal Injury Cases
Trucking accidents are not as common as some other types of personal injury law. The Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield helps victims who were injured through a variety of situations. Working in a variety of different situations we’re able to hone our legal skills to serve our clients best.
Car Accidents
Car crashes make a substantial portion of personal injury claims. Not only are they common, but they will often result in a variety of injuries. This damage may not be as severe as the harm that comes from trucking accidents, but they still require compensation to cover mounting medical costs. Contact our Fayetteville auto accident attorneys for more info.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists may bob and weave through traffic, but they are often well within traffic laws. Most motorcycle accidents in Fayetteville occur because of a passenger vehicle driver’s negligence. When someone driving a normal car, or a truck is in a collision with a motorcycle, the result is never good.
Nursing Home Abuse
Medical staff, administrative staff, and even other patients have all been found to have some connection to nursing home abuse. If you believe that the elder in your family is suffering because of someone’s malicious acts, then take legal action now. It’s one of the very few ways to bring this type of abuse to light.
Workers Compensation
Everyone has the right to a job in a safe environment. It’s vital that you work to ensure that you get compensation for any injuries which took place at work additionally if you are ill because of your working conditions you may still have a workers comp case find out if your illness or injuries are because of employer negligence. Contact our Fayetteville workers compensation attorneys for help.
Wrongful Death
Losing someone close to you because of another person’s negligence makes grief even more difficult. You can work with professionals to understand the legal territory that comes after a wrongful death. This other person may be facing criminal court charges, but you have civil options as well, learn more now.
Contact A Truck Injury Lawyer For A Free Consultation
Regardless of how your accident happened, it’s sure that you have sustained injuries from the impact. Work with a truck injury attorney to get the most out of your claim. Insurance companies and the involved trucking company will try to minimize actively and rush your claim.
When you contact the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, you can schedule a free consultation. Speak with a Fayetteville personal injury attorney about your crash and the circumstances that might impact your case.
During your consultation, you will learn what your case might be worth and what services you should expect when taking on a lawyer.