Although you may have found numerous personal injury lawyers who are willing to handle your claim, it’s important to determine whether your attorney has the experience, resources and skill to handle a truck accident case.

At Hargadon, Lenihan & Herrington, PLLC, we have been helping people in Kentucky and throughout the country pursue just compensation since 1925. We have obtained numerous multimillion dollar awards and settlements on behalf of clients and are confident we can bring the insight and resources needed to help you resolve your claim.

Is there really a difference between a car wreck and a truck accident case?

The short answer to the above questions is, yes, there is a difference. Truck accidents are generally far more complex than a regular car crash case. For instance, multiple parties may be involved, the injuries incurred may be far more severe or even life threatening, and there are state as well as federal laws that come into play.

Your lawyer should have in-depth knowledge of both state and federal laws overseeing these types of cases as well as the experience and resources to properly investigate.

Below are a few issues our attorneys at Hargadon, Lenihan & Herrington, PLLC, will review when taking your case:

· Trucking companies are protected by insurance companies who know what it takes to minimize payouts. They arrive with investigators and experts who immediately begin gathering evidence to counter potential claims. While you are laid up in the hospital, the trucking company and their insurers are out there working to build their case. With a lawyer on your side, you will have someone out there gathering evidence for your claim. Furthermore, the sooner you act, the better the chances of gathering strong evidence and strengthening your claim.

· Sometimes, poor maintenance or neglect on the part of trucking companies can cause problems with their trucks that subsequently result in accidents. Federal laws require interstate motor carriers to maintain records of maintenance and inspections to their vehicles. Your attorney can help ensure these records are obtained and reviewed to determine if anything was missed on the part of the trucking company.

· Truck drivers are required to keep daily written reports that identify defects or other problems with their trucks. Your lawyer can review these reports to look for any indication that the trucking company was aware of potential defects.

· Trucking companies may claim their driver had a sudden health issue that resulted in a loss of consciousness or control which may have caused the accident. This may sound a little too convenient. You lawyer can review the driver’s medical records and determine whether the driver did indeed have a condition that could have caused a sudden loss of consciousness or other debilitating condition. Additionally, federal laws prohibit drivers with these conditions from operating interstate tractor trailers.

· Oftentimes, the insurance companies representing trucking companies will offer settlements as quickly as possible to accident victims. Although the offer may like enough to cover your expenses, the truth is that the amount is likely much less than you deserve. As your attorneys, we can determine the full spectrum of your injuries and the costs associated with immediate and future treatments. We can then counter the insurance company’s offer with an amount that actually meets your needs.

It’s important to understand that timing is very important in these cases. There are time limits on how long trucking companies need to maintain these records and there is a statute of limitations on filing a claim.

Why try to handle your claim alone?

As you can see, there’s a lot that goes into building a truck accident case. The insurance company has experience handling these matters – shouldn’t you have someone on your side who is equally experienced?

If you or a loved one has been injured, reach out to our attorneys at Hargadon, Lenihan & Herrington, PLLC.