Road accidents are still a very common occurrence. While you can get out of some accidents with just a scratch, your chances of getting out safe from an accident involving a truck or a trailer is often a lot slim. When you do get out of one, you should know what to do to secure your safety.
In 2019, there were 5,005 fatal crashes that involve large trucks. It was a 2% increase from 2018 and a 43% increase from 2010s numbers. No matter how hard people try to be safe, it can be really hard to maneuver yourself around large vehicles on the road.
Tractor-trailer falls under the category of large trucks, and accidents do occur on these rides as well. It’s very important that you stay safe around such vehicles, as accidents involving these tend to be more fatal and damaging.
What many people tend to forget is that accidents on the road aren’t just health and security problems, they are also legal problems that you have to deal with as well. If you want to prepare for tractor-trailer accidents well, then you should know the importance of having a lawyer by your side.
Take Action Quick
The statute of limitations will dictate how long your case is valid. In most cases, you can file a case around 2 years after the accident itself. While 2 years is indeed a long time, it’s much better to focus more on taking quick action. There are many benefits to being able to file a case as soon as possible.
For one, it will be easier for you to secure the right evidence linked to the accident. If you get hurt in an accident with an 18-wheeler, you’d want to get the evidence as fast as possible. It should go without saying that the evidence will be your key when it comes to winning the case.
Another upside to taking action quickly is that you’ll be able to recall the accident much more clearly. As time passes by, you might lose some key details from the accidents, including exactly how they occurred. By filing a case whenever you can, you can give a truly accurate run-down of the accident for the court.
They Can Help You With Most Of The Legal Problems
It is very likely that after an accident involving tractor-trailer, you’ll have to stay inside a hospital to recover. During this time, it will be significantly harder for you to manage the legal side of the accident on your own, as you’ll be recovering first. As we’ve said earlier, quick action is a key to winning such cases.
If you hire a lawyer after an accident, they can manage most of the legal processes on your part. This involves securing evidence, talking to the other party, and representing you in court while you recover. It’s very important that you secure your health and well-being first before taking the other party to court.
Aside from that, you need to understand that lawyers do more than just represent you in court. They basically do most of the job for you, which is ideal if you don’t have much time on your hands. In doing so, you’ll be able to focus more on other tasks and your health as the lawyer does his job.
Get Compensated
The goal of the case isn’t just to get the justice you deserve. It’s also to get the compensation that you deserve as well. To put it simply, compensation is what you’re owed because of the damages and injuries caused by the accident.
After the accident, you’ll be spending a hefty fee on medical bills. You also have to worry about the damage made to your property. You don’t deserve to shoulder the burden of the expenses if the accident isn’t your doing in the first place. This is why compensation is important.
You also have to consider that after the accident, you won’t be able to work while recovering. The losses you incur here are called lost wages. If the court finds it fair, the compensation you receive will also include the salary you are unable to make while you are recovering in the hospital.
Lawyers play a bigger part in accidents, more than you think. They are essential to helping you recover financially after a serious accident with a tractor-trailer. Even before the accident happens, it pays to have a lawyer on speed dial on your phone, just so you are prepared for the worst-case scenario.
Read Also: How to Deal with Insurance Companies After an Accident