Choosing a Trucking Accident Lawyer
Choosing a North Carolina trucking accident lawyer is crucial. These attorneys understand that trucking accidents can be extremely complicated, and may be best served by a lawyer who specializes in these cases. In the following article, you will learn how to choose the best attorney for your case, including the importance of free consultations. This article will also cover how to preserve evidence and what damages you can expect from a personal injury lawsuit.
Free consultation
Many trucking accidents are caused by mechanical defects, but the driver of a commercial vehicle isn’t always at fault. Negligent hiring practices and lapses in safety inspections and routine maintenance can lead to a trucking accident. Trucking companies can be held liable for negligent hiring practices and negligence, but it’s important to remember that partial fault and contributory negligence are not grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.
Identifying all possible defendants
If you are involved in a trucking accident, the first step is identifying all potential defendants. These parties are likely to be responsible for the accident, whether they are the truck manufacturer or wholesaler who sold the defective part. The truck company might also be responsible if they sold the semi-truck to the company without inspecting it first. Regardless of who is responsible for the accident, you should try to contact as many witnesses as you can.
Preserving evidence
If you are injured in a trucking accident, preserving evidence is vital to your case. You will need to show that the truck driver caused the accident, and that he or she was at fault. It may seem difficult to collect evidence from a trucking accident, but in many cases, the trucker or the trucking company can retain evidence. The trucking company has a duty to maintain records for a certain period of time. FMCSA regulations only allow trucking companies to keep evidence for six to one year. If they don’t, they may destroy the evidence.
Damages awarded in personal injury lawsuits
In most cases, the damages awarded in a personal injury lawsuit against a North Carolina trucking accident lawyer are compensatory in nature. These are awards made to plaintiffs when the other party was negligent. North Carolina recognizes several types of compensatory damages. In addition to lost wages, successful plaintiffs can also be awarded future wages if they cannot return to work. These damages are usually awarded if the plaintiff can prove that his or her injuries have left him or her unable to work.
Obtaining data from sources
Obtaining data from sources when hiring – and preserving evidence for – litigation can be challenging, but is essential when it comes to trucking accidents. Data gathered from black box data can be invaluable when proving fault. The lawyers have access to computer experts who can analyze it. In some cases, lawyers are able to physically inspect the truck involved in the accident and collect data from the black box.
Managing care of injured person
As a trucking accident victim, you will likely have many questions. Managing care for yourself and your family is a huge stressor, but your insurance may not cover all your expenses. The insurance company may also deny your claim if you wait too long to report the accident. If you are unable to report the accident, contact an attorney immediately. They will be able to help you.