4 Questions Your Van Zandt Truck Accident Lawyer May Ask during Your Initial Consultation
A commercial truck can cleave a path of destruction, causing devastating injuries and property damage. If you were injured in a truck crash, then you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages.
Making a successful claim after a truck wreck is a legally complex process. There are differences between claims that involve passenger vehicles and those that stem from commercial truck crashes. For example, several parties may be liable for damages in a commercial vehicle accident, including the driver, truck owner, mechanic or fleet manager.
Identifying the liable parties is just one piece of the puzzle. If the at-fault person denies liability, or if the insurance company offers a low settlement, then you may face an uphill legal battle to recover compensation.
This is why hiring a truck accident lawyer is usually a smart decision. Your personal-injury attorney can gather evidence, structure your claim and fight for the highest possible settlement. Your lawyer can also litigate your case if it goes to trial.
During your initial consultation, your injury attorney will ask a series of questions such as:
- Did the commercial truck have a black box?
- What caused the collision?
- Did you collect evidence at the accident scene?
- Have you undergone a medical evaluation?
If you were injured in a truck crash in Texas, contact the Cooper Law Firm. Attorney N. Eric Cooper is a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and the Gregg County Bar Association.
Call 903-297-0037 today to schedule a consultation with a Van Zandt personal-injury attorney. You can also visit USAttorneys.com to learn more about truck accident injury lawsuits.
Here are four questions that your accident lawyer will ask during your initial consultation:
- Did the commercial truck have a black box?
Some commercial trucks have a black box that collects data about speed, hours on the road and other metrics. This information may help your personal-injury attorney prove negligence. For example, if the trucker drove for a number of hours that exceeds the legal limit, or if he or she was speeding, then this may constitute negligence.
- What caused the collision?
Your lawyer will want to know what caused the crash so he or she can determine if you have grounds for a claim. If you caused the accident, then you probably will not be entitled to compensation in a civil claim. However, if the trucker broke a traffic law by speeding, running a red light, or otherwise behaving negligently, then he or she may be liable for damages.
- Did you collect evidence at the accident scene?
After an accident, it is important to collect as much evidence as possible. Take photos that show the positions of vehicles, skid marks, injuries, traffic signs and property damage. Also, take pictures of the truck’s license plate and DOT number. Your personal-injury attorney will request this evidence during your initial consultation.
- Have you undergone a medical evaluation?
As the Department of Motor Vehicles explains, your top priority after any accident is to undergo a medical evaluation. A fast diagnosis may shorten your recovery time and improve the outcome of your treatment. Also, the doctor’s report may help your truck accident lawyer tie your injuries to the crash.
If you were injured by a negligent truck driver in Texas, contact the Cooper Law Firm. Schedule a consultation today by calling 903-297-0037.