What are the problems that can occur from not hiring a lawyer for a truck accident case?

After an accident with a truck, you might think the case is straightforward and in your favor. Forgoing a lawyer might be a tempting idea. Some of our readers offered some of the problems that might arise if you do not hire a lawyer to help you with your truck accident case. Keep reading to learn what these problems are.
Ben Michael

Ben Michael

Ben Michael, Attorney, Michael & Associates.

Not Reaching the Best Possible Outcome

Truck accident cases are overwhelming since they typically involve much more damage and injury than average vehicle accidents. Hiring a lawyer in these situations helps ensure that you aren’t forgetting to do anything or are doing something incorrectly – which can easily happen when you go through a traumatic event like an accident.

Lawyers can help make sure that you have all of the evidence you need for your case, and they can communicate with your insurance for you to make sure that you are getting the most coverage out of the situation. Lawyers will make sure that everything is filed on time, and will essentially help make sure that you are getting the best possible outcome out of the entire ordeal.

Neglecting to hire a lawyer will not only keep you from getting the best possible outcome but will make you busier and more stressed, which you don’t want to deal with when you are trying to emotionally and/or physically recover from an accident.

Not Preserving Critical Evidence

After a serious truck accident, having a good attorney is crucial to protecting your rights and ensuring you get the best outcome. Sometimes people think they can handle the case independently, unaware of what is needed of them to succeed.

Many times the first mistake made is not preserving evidence. People are unaware that most commercial trucks have a black box recording the vehicle’s status. The truck company does not want to share this information with you, but an attorney will likely demand it to prove they are at fault.

Another common mistake is not taking photos of the vehicles involved or the accident scene.

A third common mistake is people not knowing that most attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning if they do not win your case, you will not owe them anything. These mistakes only scratch the surface of the number of factors that go into winning a truck accident case. The numerous moving pieces that go into a truck case are precisely why you should get an attorney for any serious truck accident.

Gregory Herrman

Gregory Herrman

Gregory Herrman, Managing Partner, Herrman and Herrman PLLC.

Kyle MacDonald

Kyle MacDonald

Kyle MacDonald, Director of Operations, Force by Mojio.

Being Unprepared Against a Corporation

While it’s always a good idea to speak with a lawyer after an accident, especially if you were injured, it’s a very good idea to speak with a lawyer if you’ve been involved with a truck. If the truck is commercial, you’re likely going to go up against a corporation with their attorneys, so the likelihood of you getting any kind of fair compensation for your damaged vehicle and/or injuries is slim to none.

There are special laws that apply to the commercial trucking industry. A lawyer that specializes in trucking accidents will understand these laws and be able to get you the best compensation available for your situation.

Less Compensation

There are dozens of things that can go wrong if one fails to hire a lawyer, but let’s take a look at one of the most serious ones where hiring a legal professional makes a world of difference: personal injury claims. In the absence of a lawyer, litigants don’t just put themselves at risk of receiving a raw deal from insurance companies, but many never even know how much compensation they are eligible for in the first place. If done right, compensation can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars, allowing those injured to seek the best treatment and compensation for their loss of health. If done wrong, the entire claim may be rejected.

Riley Beam

Riley Beam

Riley Beam, Managing Attorney at Douglas R. Beam, P.A.

This is a crowdsourced article. Contributors' statements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this website, other people, businesses, or other contributors.