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When to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in a New York Case
Commercial trucks are vital for the U.S. economy. As useful as they are, though, they can also pose serious dangers on the road. In 2021, 5,788 people throughout the country were killed in accidents involving large trucks. Of those who died, 72% were the occupants of other vehicles.
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in New York, you may not know whether you should hire a lawyer or not. Here’s a look at the moments when it becomes essential to hire representation.
When There Are Serious Injuries
If you’ve suffered serious injuries, you need to hire a truck accident lawyer. Serious injuries will usually require extensive medical care, and that means dealing with significant bills. Injuries that prevent you from working also impact your earning potential, so your entire future could be at risk.
You deserve to have the best chance of receiving enough compensation to cover medical expenses and maintain you if you can’t work. The way you get that chance is by hiring aggressive representation. You don’t want to risk losing what you deserve.
When Fault Isn’t Clear
New York is a no-fault state for traffic accidents. However, if your injuries are severe enough, you can step outside of these laws and file a lawsuit against whoever was at fault. This step requires you to prove that the other party is liable, which may not always be simple if the accident is complex.
To prove that the other party was at fault, you need to have lawyers helping you. Lawyers will gather the necessary evidence to demonstrate that you deserve compensation.
There may also be other people who can be held liable. For example, perhaps the truck driver was fatigued because they’d been working for longer hours than they should have been. In such an instance, the trucking company may also be responsible.
When There Are Many Parties Involved
If there are many parties involved in the accident, you need to have a lawyer helping you. The more people, the more complex the assignment of fault is. Just getting a sense of how the accident occurred can be difficult when numerous vehicles have collided. You shouldn’t tackle these claims on your own.
When Insurers Offer a Settlement
Often, insurance companies quickly offer a settlement in serious crashes to avoid having to provide a larger payoff later on. They count on you being so desperate for help that you’ll accept the offer without bothering to consult a lawyer. Taking that settlement is usually not your best option.
An attorney will fight to maximize your compensation. People who work with lawyers tend to have much higher settlements than those who don’t.
When You Need to Go to Court
It’s not always possible to obtain a settlement after a truck accident. Insurance companies may delay the process or even try to place the blame for the accident on you, which could mean needing to go to court. If that’s the case, you should get a lawyer.
Litigating in court is not something that people without experience should do. Your lawyer will know what arguments to make, what evidence to present, and how to aggressively fight for fair compensation.
When an Accident Occurs
The bottom line is that you should quickly contact a lawyer to represent you any time you’re involved in a collision. Your lawyer is a huge asset and can guide you through the entire process.
At Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C., we will assess your claim and begin gathering evidence that can help prove you deserve compensation. Because we have experience representing people throughout New York, we know what evidence can make a difference.
We will negotiate with insurers on your behalf so you can recover the losses you suffered. We’ll even take your claim to court if we can’t reach a settlement. Additionally, our team will offer the support you need as you navigate the process. Filing a claim while dealing with injuries can be very stressful, so you need people to guide you.
Contact Trusted Truck Accident Lawyers
After suffering injuries in a truck accident, you need experienced representation. It’s never easy to manage personal injury claims, but truck accidents usually result in serious injuries that could leave you dealing with significant medical bills and an inability to work.
At Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C., we offer guidance from the moment you contact us. With a free consultation, we can help you understand what your options are and how to pursue compensation. Call us to speak with a truck accident lawyer.