According to the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America, “In 2006, nearly 5,000 people died in accidents involving large trucks.” The property damage and injuries from commercial trucks is costing drivers a lot of money. This is why you need an experienced trucking accident lawyer. The skilled lawyer can help you get the money you deserve. Here are five important things a trucking accident attorney can do for you.

Comparative Negligence Theory

First, what is the comparative negligence theory? Simply put, it means that you can receive money if you are partially at fault in an accident. The theory is not the same in every state. For example, if the plaintiff was found to be 80% responsible for the accident, he could only receive 20% of the losses. Your trucking attorney may be able to apply this theory to get you money to cover some of your expenses from an accident.

File Lawsuits for You

Next, your trucking attorney might be able to file lawsuits against several parties. Most clients think that they can only sue the truck driver. You can sue the manufacturer if the truck has a defect. The trucking company can be sued if a federal law was violated and an accident occurred. A company that ships hazardous materials can also be at fault if an accident occurs and someone is hurt by their products. Your lawyer might be able to file a suit against the government.

Investigate Your Case

Then, this is a very important tip. When you are hurt, you need someone to help you fight against the powerful trucking and insurance companies. They will have their investigators on the scene before the police arrive at some accident sites. Your accident trucking lawyer will dispatch a team to research the scene on your behalf. The team will take pictures of your car and the truck. Then, they can also search the scene for evidence that might help you win your case. Your attorney can also find an expert witness.

Handle Your Case

Moreover, your attorney will handle your case based on the law. However, it is important that you obtain as much information as possible so that he can help you win your case in court. He will ask you a lot of questions about the accident and about your injury. Your attorney will answer all your questions. In some cases, the lawyer will send someone to see you while you are in the hospital.

Obtain Important Information

While the attorney is handling your case, he can contact other parties and get documents. For instance, your lawyer may be able to get a medical history or a driving record on the truck driver. The attorney can contact the trucking company to find out how many hours the trucker was on the road on the day of the accident. Did the trucker have a valid commercial driver’s license? Did the trucking company break or violate any local, state or federal laws?

Finally, your trucking accident attorney will use these tips to help you win your case in court. Please keep in mind that states have different commercial trucking laws that may impact your case. This is not legal advice and the information is for informing our readers.