Auto Accident Law 101

3 Reasons You Should Contact A Lawyer After Being Involved In An Accident With A Semi

20 July 2021

Everett Cook

If you have recently been involved in an accident with a semi, you may be wondering whether or not you should reach out to a lawyer regarding your insurance claim. While each case is different and not everyone will benefit from the services of an attorney, you should at least consult with a truck accident lawyer before settling your claim. Read on to learn more about a few of the reasons to consult a lawyer when dealing with this type of accident claim. 

The Insurance Company Is Not On Your Side

While insurance claims agents can often do an impressive job of convincing people they are there to help and to get them the money they need quickly, the fact is these agents work for the insurance company. The job of these agents is to settle each claim assigned to them as quickly as possible in a manner that represents the best interest of the insurance company. Consequently, you cannot count on an insurance agent to tell you if you are getting a fair deal. Consulting with a truck accident lawyer will allow you to get an unbiased opinion regarding your claim and ensure that you are getting information from a source that truly has your best interest in mind. 

Different Rules For Commercial Vehicles

When it comes to the rules of the road, the laws which govern commercial vehicles are quite a bit different than those that apply to standard vehicles. For example, commercial drivers are limited in the number of hours they can be behind the wheel each day and how many consecutive days they can drive before they must have a day off. These laws help to ensure that drivers are fully alert when behind the wheel of a big rig truck since these large vehicles have the ability to cause significant damage even in the event of a minor accident. A lawyer who specializes in truck accidents will have the experience and knowledge that is necessary to determine whether or not the truck driver in your case has violated any of these rules. This can have a major impact on how much compensation you receive.

There Are No Second Chances

When settling an insurance claim, there is no such thing as a second chance to get it right. Once you accept a settlement payment, the acceptance of this settlement will release the insurance company from any future liability regarding your claim. This means that you cannot go back and try and collect any more money even if you later find that your actual losses were more severe than you originally estimated. Consulting with a truck accident lawyer before agreeing to any settlement offer allows you to determine exactly how much your claim is worth and help to prevent you from accepting an unfair offer. 

Share

Search