How Long an 18-Wheeler Crash Claim Takes, Stage by Stage Truck accident claims move through stages that may take months or even years. Some periods apply to the trucking company, such as how long it must keep certain records, while others belong to the injured person, such as the statute of limitations. A truck accident lawyer can explain where a particular claim stands in this sequence, although every claim is different. Right after the crash Medical care comes first
Read more about The Timeline of a Truck Accident ClaimHow to Choose a Truck Accident Attorney Picking a truck accident lawyer differs from picking a lawyer for a minor car crash. Tractor-trailer claims often involve federal safety regulations, electronic evidence and several insurance policies, and the trucking company often has its own lawyers and investigators involved from the start. These questions can make a first consultation more productive. Start with the license Before meeting with a truck accident attorney, che
Read more about Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Truck Accident AttorneyInsurance Tactics After a Semi-Truck Crash After a tractor-trailer crash, an injured person usually hears from an insurance company long before any court is involved. Trucking companies and their insurers tend to act quickly, and their early steps can shape the claim. Knowing what to expect is one reason people contact a truck accident lawyer before giving a statement or signing anything. Federal insurance minimums for trucking companies Minimum levels of financial re
Read more about How Trucking Companies and Insurers Handle Tractor-Trailer Crash ClaimsDriver Fatigue and Hours of Service Rules in Truck Accident Claims When a semi-truck crash happens near the end of a long shift, an early question is whether the driver was within the federal hours-of-service limits. Fatigue leaves little physical trace at a crash scene, which is why the answer tends to come from records instead of the road itself. A tractor-trailer crash lawyer reviewing one of these cases usually starts by comparing the driver's logs against every other r
Read more about What a Truck Accident Lawyer Checks in a Driver's LogsECM Black Box Data and ELD Records After a Truck Accident When a tractor-trailer crash causes serious injuries, the most detailed account of the final seconds before impact is often stored inside the truck itself. Most people call it the black box, but that label covers several different systems. For a truck accident lawyer, knowing which device holds which record shapes the first evidence requests in a claim. What the black box means on a commercial truck Most heavy
Read more about ECM Black Box Data and ELD Records After a Truck AccidentQuestions to Ask Before Hiring a Car Accident Attorney Choosing a car accident lawyer goes better with a few clear questions. Some crashes involve a single insurer and a modest property claim, while others bring serious injuries, several policies and disputed fault. These questions can make a first meeting more productive, whatever the size of the claim. Confirm the license and record Before any meeting, confirm the basics. Each state bar or licensing agency provides
Read more about How to Choose a Car Accident AttorneyPolice Reports, Dashcam Video and Car Accident Evidence Evidence from a car crash starts to disappear within hours. Vehicles get towed and repaired, video is overwritten and witnesses become harder to find. An auto accident lawyer typically starts with the police report and any photos or video, then the data stored in the vehicles. This article explains how each source fits into a claim. What the police report contains When officers respond to a crash, they usually pr
Read more about Evidence After a Car Crash: Police Reports and Dashcam VideoInsurance Adjusters, Total Losses and Diminished Value After a car crash, most people deal with an insurance adjuster long before they think about a lawsuit. The adjuster's job is to evaluate the claim for the insurance company, and some common practices can lower what a claim is worth if they go unnoticed. Understanding these practices is one reason people consult a car accident attorney before signing anything. Recorded statements and medical authorizations An adjus
Read more about Diminished Value and Other Car Accident Insurance Issues