There are several differences between collisions involving semis and those that involve passenger vehicles. For instance, the former generally results in more catastrophic consequences. In addition, accidents caused by commercial trucks usually incorporate several wrongdoers. This makes it challenging to ascertain who to hold accountable for the losses caused by the crash and to what extent. Because of this, it is always advisable to hire an auto accident lawyer to handle the claim for you. They will facilitate the following steps to enable you to get justice and your rightful payment for your losses.
Identify the Wrongdoers
A number of parties may bear the legal liability to compensate you for your losses if you suffer injuries in a collision involving a big rig. They might include the trucker if their negligence or carelessness caused the crash. For example, they may have hit you because they were speeding or engaged in other activities while driving. These behaviors are a violation of traffic rules, and you can hold the trucker accountable if they commit them and cause you injury. The trucking company may also be liable if the driver is unqualified or inexperienced. In such a case, you can sue them for hiring an incapable driver, which put the trucker and other road users at risk.
The truck's mechanic might also be partly responsible if improper maintenance was the cause of the collision. Moreover, you can take legal action against the truck or part manufacturer if the crash happened because the truck had a faulty part. In any event, your lawyer will identify the offenders and file claims against them to help ensure that they face justice.
Gathering Useful Information
Some truckers and their employers do everything possible to avoid liability. This includes hiding or destroying evidence, which makes it challenging to hold them accountable. A lack of evidence can also make you fail to get compensation regardless of the extent of your property damages or injuries. This is one of the reasons why you need to consider hiring a lawyer if you've been involved in a truck crash. The legal practitioner will take the necessary steps to prevent the offenders from destroying evidence. Your lawyer will also gather actionable information to prove wrongdoing. This might include photos, video footage, and statements from witnesses who were near the crash scene. Your attorney may also use the data recorded by the vehicles' black box. This will go towards proving that the trucker was negligent.
As expounded above, an auto accident lawyer can provide you with invaluable assistance when seeking justice after being hit by a big rig. They will investigate the crash, collect evidence, and identify the wrongdoers. They will also file claims against the offenders and negotiate on your behalf to help ensure that you get acceptable compensation for your losses.