If you’ve been injured in an accident involving an 18-wheeler or another large truck, your first priority should be your recovery. But soon after, one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make is whether to hire a truck accident attorney—and the answer to that is simple: yes, right away.
Truck accidents are complex, involving multiple parties, federal regulations, and insurance companies determined to minimize your compensation. Without legal representation, you may not receive the full amount you deserve.
At the Rothenberg Law Firm, with over 50 years of experience and billions recovered for clients, we understand how devastating truck accidents can be. Serving clients nationwide, our compassionate team is ready to take over the legal burden while you focus on your recovery.
Don’t Let the Insurance Company Control Your Claim
A big mistake people make after a truck accident is trying to handle the insurance claim independently. Insurance companies, especially those representing trucking companies, are not on your side.
Their primary goal is to protect their bottom line, not to ensure you receive fair compensation. Unfortunately, they often offer a settlement quickly, hoping you’ll accept it without realizing the long-term financial impact of your injuries.
Truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries, including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and broken bones. The medical bills for these injuries can add up quickly, and the recovery process may require months or even years of rehabilitation. A lowball settlement from an insurance company won’t account for these long-term costs, leaving you to shoulder the financial burden later.
When you hire a truck accident lawyer, they will handle all communications with the insurance company. You won’t have to worry about being pressured into accepting an unfair settlement. Instead, your lawyer will negotiate on your behalf, ensuring that any settlement offer includes compensation for your current and future medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Multiple Insurance Companies
Truck accidents often involve more than one vehicle, which means you could be dealing with multiple insurance companies — the trucking company’s insurer, your own insurance provider, and possibly the insurers of other motorists involved in the crash. These insurance companies will be looking for ways to minimize their financial responsibility, and their adjusters will be trained to shift blame away from their policyholders.
This can make the claims process incredibly complicated. For example, the trucking company’s insurer might argue that another motorist was at fault, while the other motorist’s insurer points the finger at the truck driver. Meanwhile, you’re left in the middle, trying to recover from your injuries and figure out who is responsible for covering your losses.
A lawyer will take the burden off your shoulders by managing communication with all the insurance companies involved. They will thoroughly investigate the accident, gather evidence, and build a case to hold the appropriate parties accountable.
By having an attorney advocate for you, you avoid the risk of accepting a settlement that doesn’t reflect the full value of your claim or, worse, being blamed for the accident by insurance companies seeking to avoid liability.
Trucking Company Insurers
Trucking companies often carry large insurance policies, and their insurers have significant resources to fight claims. These insurance companies employ teams of lawyers and adjusters who specialize in minimizing payouts, and they are known for using aggressive tactics to avoid liability.
They may try to downplay the severity of your injuries or argue that you were partially responsible for the accident. In some cases, trucking company insurers may even pressure victims into making statements or signing documents that could harm their claim. This is why it’s critical to have legal representation from the start.
A lawyer will protect you from these tactics and ensure that your rights are preserved throughout the process. They will handle all communication with the insurance company, so you don’t have to worry about making a misstep that could reduce your compensation.
Ready for Court
Insurance companies often aim to resolve claims quickly and at a lower cost, but if they aren’t willing to provide a fair settlement, a skilled attorney will be ready to take your case to trial. Trucking companies and their insurers understand that when a lawyer is involved, they face an advocate determined to pursue the maximum compensation, even if it means presenting the case in court.
Having a lawyer prepared to go to trial gives you a strong advantage during settlement negotiations. Insurers are much more likely to offer an appropriate settlement when they know there’s a real chance of facing a courtroom, where they could end up paying more. Your lawyer will diligently fight to secure the compensation you deserve through negotiation or a court verdict.
Determining Liability in a Truck Accident
One of the key reasons you need an attorney after a truck accident is the complexity of determining liability. Unlike a simple car accident, truck accidents often involve multiple parties who may share responsibility for the crash. These parties might include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The company that loaded the truck
- The manufacturer of the truck or its parts
- The company responsible for maintaining the truck
A truck accident attorney will thoroughly investigate your accident to determine who was at fault. This process involves gathering evidence, reviewing the truck’s maintenance records, analyzing the driver’s logbooks, and consulting experts in accident reconstruction. Without an attorney, you might not even know all the parties that could be liable, potentially leaving money on the table.
Federal and State Regulations in Trucking Accidents
Truck accidents are governed by a unique set of rules and regulations that don’t apply to standard car accidents. For example, truck drivers and trucking companies must comply with federal laws established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These rules cover everything from how many hours a driver can be on the road to the types of maintenance checks that must be performed on the vehicle.
Violations of these regulations can be key evidence in proving negligence. If the truck driver was fatigued or the truck wasn’t properly maintained, your lawyer can use this information to build a stronger case.
In addition to federal laws, state regulations can also come into play, especially when the accident occurs on state highways. Different states may have different rules regarding liability, insurance, and the timeframe in which you can file a claim (known as the statute of limitations). A truck accident attorney will be familiar with federal and state laws to ensure your case is handled accordingly.
Filing a Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Claim
The process of filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim after a truck accident can be overwhelming. From gathering evidence to dealing with insurance companies, the legal process is complicated and can be nearly impossible to navigate without an experienced attorney by your side.
Here’s how an attorney will handle your case:
- Investigation: Your lawyer will investigate the accident, including gathering police reports, witness statements, and any available surveillance footage. They will also examine the truck’s black box data, which can provide important information about the truck’s speed, braking, and other factors leading up to the crash.
- Negotiation: Once your lawyer has gathered all the evidence, they will begin negotiating with the insurance companies involved. This may include the trucking company’s insurer, the truck driver’s insurer, and even your own insurance company. The goal is to secure a fair settlement that covers all your losses.
- Litigation: If the insurance companies refuse to offer a reasonable settlement, your attorney will be prepared to take your case to court. While many truck accident cases are resolved through settlements, having an attorney willing to litigate can pressure the insurance companies to offer a more reasonable amount.
- Maximizing Compensation: Truck accidents can result in both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage, while non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Your lawyer will work to ensure you receive compensation for these losses, not just the immediate costs.
If the truck accident resulted in a fatality, your attorney can also help you file a wrongful death claim. This type of claim allows the victim’s family to seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other damages related to their loved one’s death.
Finding the Right Truck Accident Lawyer
Choosing the right lawyer after a truck accident is one of the most important decisions you can make to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve. Truck accident claims are often more complex than standard car accidents, and having an attorney well-versed in these specific cases can make all the difference.
At the Rothenberg Law Firm, we offer a free case evaluation, giving you an opportunity to learn more about how we can help before you commit. During this consultation, we’ll review the details of your accident, the injuries you’ve sustained, and the legal strategies that may be available.
What to Look For
Hiring a lawyer is about more than just finding someone with knowledge of the law—it’s about finding someone who will support and guide you through what may be one of the most difficult times in your life. Here are a few critical qualities to look for when selecting a truck accident lawyer:
- Experience with Truck Accident Cases: Trucking accidents involve many unique factors, including federal regulations, complex liability issues, and potentially multiple insurance companies. You need a lawyer who understands these differences and has experience successfully handling truck accident claims.
- Willingness to Go to Trial: While many cases are settled out of court, not all personal injury lawyers are willing or prepared to take a case to trial. If an insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, you need a lawyer who will fight for your rights in court. Our willingness to pursue litigation can give us stronger leverage during negotiations with insurance companies, who often prefer to settle rather than face the risk of a court verdict.
- Compassion and Support: Dealing with a truck accident can be incredibly overwhelming. Not only are you managing physical pain and recovery, but the emotional toll and financial pressure can make the situation even more challenging. A lawyer who advocates for your legal rights and offers the support and compassion you need during this difficult time is essential.
Our team at the Rothenberg Law Firm is dedicated to providing personalized, compassionate service to each and every client. We will stand by your side throughout the entire process, from your first consultation to the resolution of your case.
What to Bring to Your Free Case Evaluation
When you attend your free case evaluation with the Rothenberg Law Firm, we encourage you to bring any relevant documentation you have related to the accident. This might include:
- Medical records detailing your injuries and treatments
- The police report from the accident
- Photos of the accident scene or your injuries
- Contact information for any witnesses
- Your insurance information and any correspondence with insurance companies
These materials can help your lawyer better understand the specifics of your case and start building a strategy. However, if you don’t have all these documents, don’t worry. We can help gather the necessary evidence on your behalf, including obtaining medical records, requesting police reports, and contacting witnesses.
Our goal is to relieve the legal burden so that you can focus on what matters most—your recovery.
During the consultation, we’ll also explain your legal options and answer any questions you have. This initial meeting is an important opportunity to feel confident that your case is in the right hands.
Understanding Contingency Fees
If you decide to hire the Rothenberg Law Firm to represent you in your truck accident case, you won’t need to worry about upfront legal fees. We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means that we only get paid if we secure a settlement or verdict for you. This allows you to focus on your recovery without the added financial stress of paying for legal services out of pocket.
Our priority is to fight for the compensation you deserve, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Let us handle the legal complexities while you concentrate on healing.
Contact the Rothenberg Law Firm Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, don’t wait to seek legal help. Trucking companies and their insurers will begin working to minimize your claim immediately after the accident. By hiring a personal injury attorney right away, you can level the playing field and protect your rights.
At the Rothenberg Law Firm, we have over 50 years of experience fighting for victims of truck accidents. We’ve secured billions in compensation for our clients and are ready to fight for you. With offices in New York City, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Cherry Hill, Lakewood, Monsey, and Hackensack, we’re here to serve clients throughout the tri-state area and beyond.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation. Let us handle the legal complexities while you focus on your recovery. Call us at 800-624-8888 or contact us online to get started.
