What Are Complications in a Truck Accident Case
In many ways, truck accident cases are much more complicated to deal with than car accidents, as a truck accident lawyer in Houston, TX knows. With a trusted and experienced truck accident lawyer like one from John K. Zaid & Associates at your side though, your experience going through the claims process can be simplified so that you don’t have to be overwhelmed.
What if I was partially at fault?
The types of consequences that you may experience if you are partially at fault in a truck accident depend on where you live. Not all states have the same laws when it comes to dealing with negligence. For example, certain states have comparative negligence laws that dictate that fault is determined by the respective contributions made by each party involved in the accident. In other states, even if you have a minimal fault, you will not be able to recover compensation. Consult a lawyer to see what the negligence laws are in your particular state.
What happens if multiple parties are at fault?
A truck accident can quickly get complex if there are multiple parties at fault. However, since commercial trucks often are connected to a large chain of parties with their own responsibilities, such as contractors, carriers, drivers, manufacturers, and third-party vendors, liability can be applied to a number of parties. For example, if a truck is not deemed to be road safe due to faulty parts or falsities made during vehicle inspections, the carrier and manufacturer are some parties that can be held liable.
What if the accident occurred in a different state?
Some truck accidents occur in a state that is not the home state of the injured party. This often happens if an injured victim is on vacation or is traveling through a different state to reach their destination. However, the process to file a lawsuit is not as complicated as one might think. Truck accident victims who were injured in a different state are able to file a claim in the state where the accident occurred. However, some states allow for victims to file a claim in their home state as well when dealing with out-of-state accidents.
What if the trucking company denies fault or blames me?
It is not uncommon for the trucking company or driver to shift the blame onto the victim. They may go to whatever lengths necessary to ensure that they are not at fault so they won’t have to pay damages. If this happens to you, don’t accept it no matter how forceful they try to be. Allow a lawyer to handle your case so that they can aggressively fight for you.
What if the insurance company offers a low settlement amount?
Insurance companies will do whatever it takes to preserve their profits. For this reason, don’t expect them to give you an easy time if you need to notify them of an accident. They will probably offer you a lower settlement amount to trick you into thinking an offer is better than nothing. However, always first allow a lawyer to evaluate any kind of settlement offer for you to determine if you are getting a fair deal.
For more information, contact a lawyer like one from John K. Zaid & Associates now to receive urgent legal support.