Benefits Of Hiring A Lawyer If You're Involved In An Accident With Your Commercial Truck

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Auto accidents happen everyday, and if you're involved in one, the process of dealing with the aftermath is pretty standard. If you're involved in an accident while driving a tractor-trailer or large commercial truck, you may need some help, especially if the police officer on the scene determines you're at fault for the crash.

Hiring the Right Lawyer

The laws surrounding car accidents and collisions are not that much different no matter where you go in the US, but the laws that pertain to trucks can be another story. Because commercial trucks have different standards and have limitations on how long the driver can operate the truck daily, hiring a lawyer that understands the differences may be critical to your case. 

Sometimes an accident that appears to be the fault of the truck driver is not as simple as it looks. The driver may have tried to avoid the collision and been unable to, not because of his driving, but because of the trucks handling characteristics or sheer size and weight.

If you have to go to court because of an accident with your truck, it's crucial that the lawyer you have understands the trucking industry, the rules within the industry, and a little about the trucks themselves so they can speak intelligently about them. 

Fighting Violations

While the accident may be ruled your fault, if there are violations that are going to be a part of your driving record as a result of the accident, it's vital that your lawyer try and get those reduced or eliminated from your record. A truck driver looking for work will have a tough time getting a job if they have a lot of violations on their driving record and can become uninsurable if the offenses are bad enough. 

Being at fault for an accident does not automatically make you a bad driver. Still, your lawyer will need to have all the information about the accident and how it occurred if they are going to be able to get the court to reduce or remove the violations from your record. 

Civil Suits

Even if you're found to not be guilty in a traffic or criminal court, if someone involved in the accident believes you're at fault, they can file a civil suit against you and your company. If this happens, it's important that you have a lawyer familiar with the civil process. 

If you're found guilty in a civil matter, the damages ordered can be costly, and the insurance company may not pay them. It's imperative that you have a lawyer that knows how to negotiate a civil suit and try to get the damages as low as possible for you.

Learn more about trucking accident law today. 


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