A quick glance at the shocking injury and death statistics will show that injured persons in a wreck require a Topeka truck accident lawyer, KS.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 2,129 people died in heavy-duty truck crashes in 2020. Additionally, large trucks were involved in more than 100,000 crashes that left motorists seriously injured. If a driver was not injured, there were upwards of 310,000 property damages.
A semi-truck fully loaded weighs in at 80,000 pounds, and travels at the maximum speed limit for Kansas highways. One would expect that injured people would call a Topeka truck accident lawyer immediately after a collision. Unfortunately, truck accident victims are often taken advantage by insurance companies that offer slick coverage.
A Topeka truck accident lawyer can help you if you or someone you love has suffered a loss as a result of a truck driver’s negligence.
Insurance companies try to undervalue settlements
The trucking company’s insurer will contact the driver of the passenger vehicle in case of a collision. This phone conversation can often be interpreted as a fact-finding conversation. It is important that victims of truck crashes remember that insurance adjusters work in the company’s best interests.
Insurance companies are in business to make a profit. They lose money when they have to pay for customer’s mistakes. Insurance companies will ask you if you have legal representation. They may attempt to convince you to settle quickly if you don’t have legal representation. Fast cash is almost certain to turn out be pennies per dollar.
How to navigate the Kansas “No Fault Insurance System”
Kansas has a no-fault auto insurance system. This is something many drivers are aware of. The driver’s policy covers any losses incurred in a collision, regardless of fault. What happens if your coverage does not cover property damage, medical expenses and lost wages?
Standard minimums include bodily injuries liability coverage of $25,000 per individual and $50,000 per incident, $25,000 for damage to property, and uninsured motorist thresholds at $25,000 per person, with a maximum limit of $50,000 per accident.
After you have used your insurance coverage, you will need to file a claim against the trucking company. These are “serious” injuries that require compensation beyond the minimum required by law for automobile insurance.
- Permanent Disfigurement
- Fracture of a Weight Bearing Bone
- Compound, compressed, or displaced fracture of a bone
- Permanent injury
- Permanent loss of a body function
It could prove difficult to achieve results, as many large rigs only pull loads from Kansas to other parts. Most likely, you will have to file a civil lawsuit on your behalf. Navigating the court system can be difficult, especially when you are trying to serve an entity that is not in your state. A Topeka truck accident lawyer can help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure that the case is resolved.
Calculate your future medical expenses accurately
The chances of suffering a traumatic brain injury if your vehicle is hit by a large tractor-trailer are high. This condition is more costly to treat and can require lifelong care. The excessive cost of treating brain injury is illustrated by a 2019 National Institute of Health Study: “In-hospital costs per person were generally high and ranged between $2,130 and $401,808.”
This excessive amount does not include at-home care and the possibility of long rehabilitation. An experienced truck accident lawyer will assess your damages and include inflation, future costs, and other factors. Victims could end up paying thousands of dollars if they do not hire a lawyer to handle the case.
A truck accident lawyer can help you get non-economic damages
Insurance is designed to help individuals recover economic losses. It is easy to calculate out-of-pocket medical expenses, travel costs, and lost wages. Part of civil action includes adding up receipts and determining the mileage you traveled to receive treatment.
Truck accident victims often experience quality-of-life problems. Your qualitative losses have become a common term for “pain and suffering”. These can be very real and include physical distress.
This category also covers non-economic losses, such as emotional distress. Many would agree that losing mobility can reduce daily enjoyment and impact relationships with children, grandchildren, spouses, and other family members.
A skilled truck accident lawyer knows the financial value these losses have. You can expect to receive the fair and full compensation you deserve if you seek the assistance of an attorney who handles these types of cases every single day.
The Difference A Truck Accident Lawyer Makes
Victims need to know that a Topeka truck accident lawyer does more than just file paperwork. The law firm will evaluate your claim and begin an investigation at no cost to you.
To support your case, information such as witness statements and police reports are collected. Truck accident lawyers often run background checks on reckless drivers to see if there are any previous collisions. You may find it helpful to check the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse in order to determine if the driver was suspended for substance abuse.
Surprising facts reveal that more than 60K truckers were positive for marijuana. Another 16,705 had cocaine in the system and more than 10,000 were reported to have been retreated for methamphetamines. A determined truck accident lawyer will seek punitive damages if the commercial driver who caused your injuries, pain and suffering, as well as lost wages, used drugs. A community member will not suffer the same fate if they hold another person responsible for their actions.
Truck accident victims gain peace of mind
Truck accident victims can focus on recovery by having a professional create a strong case and navigate the system. The case is updated regularly to you and your family. These updates may include initial settlement offers, legal advice on how to resolve the matter, or a counteroffer for an equitable amount.
A truck accident lawyer will work hard to get you the fair and full compensation you need while you attend rehabilitation sessions and improve your health.
Get in touch with a Topeka Truck Accident Lawyer
It is important to seek legal representation immediately if you are injured by a large truck or bus. Contact the Palmer Law Group to schedule a no-cost consultationonline about truck accidents.
Attorney At Law Magazine – The first article Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer In Topeka, KS appeared on Attorney At Law Magazine .