Winter roads are treacherous. You’re no stranger to how easily an accident can happen on the way to the grocery store.
When you’re the victim of a car crash, figuring out what to do next can seem all but impossible. Medical bills, insurance claims, and potential criminal charges are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to bouncing back. A helping hand can come in the form of an attorney experienced in the aftermath of a trucking accident. Able to guide you through the legal system one step at a time, your local law firm can ensure you come out of this situation in-tact. Your first step is exploring the ins and outs of your situation.
Do you suspect drunk driving to be involved? Which state do you live in? All this and more will be explored below.
Driver Fatigue
A common contributor to the trucking accident is driver fatigue. This term is used to denote a driver whose concentration is affected by a lack of sleep, slowing their reaction timing to dangerously low levels. It’s far from the only one, though, and you might have to comb through several possible scenarios when you sit down with a truck accident lawyer. Every year three million people will be injured in car accidents on American roads. Truck accidents are notable for often involving several cars, due to their size, and require a specialized attorney to resolve.
Distracted Driving
While driver fatigue focuses more on drivers without the energy and focus required to navigate the road safely, distracted driving is a term referring to multi-tasking behind the wheel. It only takes one second or less to get into a crash. This time can easily be taken up by changing the radio dial, eating food, or attempting to text. Back in 2016 there were over 475,000 reported crashes involving large trucks. Whether it’s minor damage or a severe case, a trucking accident should always have a lawyer on the case.
State Laws
The state you live in can have a major impact on your case. Blood alcohol content, for example, is used to determine whether or not an individual qualifies for a criminal charge. Shortened to BAC, the legal limit is usually 0.08%, though the state of Utah recently changed its requirement to 0.05%. You can extend this logic to overloaded trucks, a motorcycle collision, or medical malpractice. Keeping everything in check isn’t easy to do on your own, which means a trip to your local law firm should be high on your to-do list.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accident claims are on the rise. According to 2016 data motorcyclist deaths occur at more than 25 times the frequency than any other type of vehicle. The same year saw most motorists in the United States over the age of 16 spending an average of 50 minutes driving every day. Due to the motorcycle’s reduced protection and higher speeds it’s much more responsibility for a driver to stay safe. While it can seem impossible now to resolve your situation, you can be rest assured most attorneys today have seen it all before.
Talking To A Personal Injury Lawyer
It’s intimidating talking with a lawyer for the first time. Set aside a series of questions to ask when you visit your law firm, including (but not limited to) questions about workers compensation, potential criminal charges, scheduling, local state laws, and costs. Unless you’re dealing with a more extreme case (such as involving multiple parties), your case will most likely be resolved pre-trial. A recent survey revealed over 95% of all personal injury cases today are resolved without seeing a courtroom.
Sometimes the road lets you down. Get back on your feet after a trucking accident with the aid of a lawyer.
