Truck accidents can have devastating consequences in terms of injury and death. The average semi-tractor pulling just one trailer can weigh 35,000 pounds unloaded. When carrying a load, a tractor-trailer can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds or more. Compare that to the weight of the average car at around 4,100 pounds, and it’s easy to see why truck accidents are so much worse.
If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a large truck, it’s in your best interest to connect with an attorney. If you haven’t yet, here are some of the best reasons to at least get a consultation.
- Your medical bills won’t pay themselves
Medical bills can pile up extremely fast, especially if you’re seeing a specialist or have to travel out of state for treatment. If you’re prescribed specialty drugs, you may have to pay even more if your insurance won’t cover what you need. While doctors in the U.S. are required to provide basic medical care regardless of your ability to pay, your preferred treatment(s) might not be an option unless you can pay in full on the spot.
With extensive medical bills, you only have two options: pay out of pocket or don’t pay your bills at all. If you choose not to pay, those bills will go to collections and make a negative impact on your credit report. Eventually, you might have to file bankruptcy.
Working with an attorney gives you a financial advantage. Instead of accepting a small settlement from the insurance company, you can sue the at-fault party and if you win, you have a better chance of recovering more money. A truck accident attorney will negotiate a settlement with the other party on your behalf to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
- You have other bills to pay
While you can accept an insurance settlement, it won’t cover more than your medical bills and that’s intentional. No other damages are included in the calculations, which means if you can’t work for a period of time and are unable to pay your household bills, your insurance settlement won’t help much. In fact, insurance adjusters are notorious for low balling offers and even denying valid claims.
The only way to get compensation that covers lost wages so you can pay your household bills, like electricity, internet, water, and rent, is to file a lawsuit against the trucking company responsible for your injuries.
- You have dependents
Even if you aren’t too concerned about yourself, having dependents changes everything. If anything, file your lawsuit for them. The more compensation you get for your injuries, the more financial resources you’ll have to take care of the people who rely on you most. For example, if you’re out of work for a while, you shouldn’t have to dry up your savings account to take care of your kids or an elderly parent. Whatever responsibilities you have to other people, a lawsuit can help you take care of them.
- You can’t work for a while
Not being able to work even for a week can put a huge strain on your finances. If you don’t have the savings required to go several months without working, then a lawsuit is in your best interest. You’ll only recover lost wages in a lawsuit settlement. Although most don’t go to trial, car accident cases have the highest settlement success rate at 61%.
- You’re now disabled and it will be tough to find work
If your injury is going to impact your earning ability long-term, you’ll want to file a lawsuit because it’s the only option that will bring you a decent settlement. It might take you a few months or longer to find work you can do from home that doesn’t put a strain on your body. If you can’t work at all, it will take time for disability benefits to kick in. In the meantime, get a jump on filing a lawsuit because the faster you do, the faster you can get paid.
Don’t wait to call a truck accident attorney
Taking swift legal action is crucial to winning your case. Your attorney can even tell you things you may not realize are important, like seeking immediate medical care and not missing any of your medical appointments so the other party’s lawyer can’t try to get your claim dismissed by saying you’re not really that injured.
No matter what happened, if you’ve been injured in a truck accident, contact a lawyer to discuss your case. If you have a good case, there’s a chance you might get a settlement that will cover all of your medical bills and so much more.
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