Large commercial trucks transport essential goods and services into and out of communities, including St. Louis. Unfortunately, these necessary but enormous commercial trucks share the roadways with smaller vehicles that they outweigh by as much as 76,000 pounds. When an accident occurs between a large commercial truck and a standard car, the results may be disastrous to injury victims—about 70% of whom are not truck drivers but other motorists. Accident survivors or family members of fatally injured victims may recover compensation from the at-fault party—typically from the liable party’s insurance. Unfortunately, insurance companies often protect their profits at the injury victim’s expense. Understanding how a St. Louis truck accident lawyer safeguards their client’s best interests throughout the process helps a truck accident survivor know what to expect.
Investigating the Cause of the Truck Accident to Prove Liability
It takes various entities to put a fully loaded commercial truck on the road with a well-qualified driver behind the wheel. If any of those entities disregard a federal regulation or fail to take reasonable care, the results can be disastrous. At the early stages of a truck accident claim for compensation, an attorney handles all communication from the defendant and insurance companies and investigates the accident. They examine the crash forensics, police report, and any photo or video evidence. They speak to eyewitnesses and consult with crash reconstruction experts to document evidence of the cause of the accident, the liable party, and the appropriate insurance policy to cover the claim for damages.
Calculating Damages In a Truck Accident Claim
Injuries in truck accidents are often serious or even catastrophic, with long-term physical and financial consequences for the injury victim and their family. A truck accident lawyer reviews the medical expenses already paid for the injury victim’s care and speaks with medical experts and occupational therapists about future medical expenses, the severity of the pain and suffering, income loss, and the injury victim’s ability or disability to return to the workforce. Then they carefully calculate the total economic damages. They also use a formula to calculate a monetary amount to compensate for non-economic damages like pain and suffering, diminished quality of life, and other damages that might apply in individual cases like loss of limb or disfigurement.
Presenting a Demand Package to The Insurer and Negotiating for a Settlement
After a thorough investigation and calculation of the total damages, the truck accident attorney presents a well-executed demand package to the insurance company and then begins negotiation meetings to work toward an acceptable settlement for the maximum compensation available. The attorney protects the injury victim’s rights and best interests throughout this process until they reach an ample settlement for damages. If the insurance company doesn’t offer an acceptable settlement, disputes, denies, or delays the claim, the attorney and injury victim may agree to take them to court.
Does a Truck Accident Claim Always Require Court?
Around 90% of truck accident claims reach a resolution through a settlement from the at-fault party; however, some cases end up in litigation in court. A skilled, experienced truck accident attorney doesn’t hesitate to file a lawsuit petition within the state’s statute of limitations and argue assertively in court for their client’s right to compensation. Court cases may take longer, but commonly end favorably for the injury victim since juries and judges tend to be sympathetic to injury victims. Jury awards for damages are often larger than a settlement would have been.
Call The Missouri Truck Accident Attorneys at Miller & Hine
No one should have to navigate the truck accident claim process without legal protection for their rights—especially while trying to recover from the pain and trauma of an accident. Instead, reach out to Miller & Hine for the best possible chances of the outcome you deserve in your truck accident claim.