Truck Companies & Truck Accidents
Experienced lawyer explains why they can be hard to deal with
You might think you don’t even need a lawyer if a truck driver clearly caused your truck accident. All you have to do is call the police, contact your insurance company and they’ll take care of everything, right?
Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. One of the reasons why is because trucking companies – and the insurance companies representing them – can often be difficult to work with after a serious accident.
Fortunately, you don’t have to deal with them on your own. Attorney Stephen A. Longo can and his dedicated legal team at The Longo Firm, LLC, in Colorado Springs have the knowledge and expertise you need take on trucking companies and hold them accountable. We’re familiar with the state and federal laws governing them. We understand how the system works. Most importantly, we’re prepared to do the work that needs to be done to do the job right. You can count on us.
What makes dealing with trucking companies so complicated?
Truck companies can be difficult to deal with after an accident caused by one of their drivers. The main reason why is trucking companies realize they might be responsible for paying for your accident expenses.
Many states have an at-fault insurance system. That means the at-fault party has to pay for accident-related expenses for injury victims. Expenses can quickly add up to thousands of dollars or significantly more.
In response, many trucking companies hire investigators and attorneys to defend their driver’s actions and to attempt to deny your claim. This is why you need an experienced lawyer on your side that can take on these companies and stand up for your rights.
What accident evidence do trucking companies have?
Trucking companies often have exclusive access to information that can be vital pieces of evidence in an accident claim. So, it’s important to have an attorney on your side demanding access to such information, which often includes:
- Inspection records for the trucks owned by the trucking company, especially if the truck that caused your crash was not properly maintained.
- Employment records for the trucking company, especially if the driver who caused your crash has a history of causing accidents, has a suspended driver’s license or other traffic violations.
- Hours of Service (HOS) logs for the truck driver who caused your crash. Federal law requires all drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to keep accurate logs detailing how many hours they work each day and week, and when they take breaks as mandated by federal law.
- Data from the truck’s black box recorder, also known as an electronic control module (ECM) or event data recorder (EDR). This device records the speed the truck was traveling at the time of the crash, if the driver applied the brakes before the crash and when the driver last took a break.
What many people might not realize is trucking companies only have to keep HOS logs and data from the ECM for several months. After that time, trucking companies can legally destroy such evidence. That’s why it’s critical that you have an experienced lawyer on your side demanding to see such information as soon as possible.
Can I sue the trucking company after my crash?
In many cases, you can file a lawsuit against the trucking company the truck driver works for. The key to such cases is you often need to prove the trucking company was somehow at fault and responsible for your accident. Ways in which the trucking company may be at fault include:
- Trucking company hired the driver who caused your crash even though they knew the driver had a history of causing accidents, reckless driving or other motor vehicle violations.
- Trucking company did not properly maintain the truck that caused your crash.
- Trucking company tried to destroy or alter evidence related to your accident, including HOS logs and black box data.
- Trucking company refuses to pay for your accident or acts in bad faith.
Keep in mind that you often only have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit or take legal action in most cases. That’s because many states have deadlines known as statutes of limitations. In Colorado, for example, you only have three years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit against the trucking company. Don’t miss out on your opportunity for justice. Talk to a lawyer right away.
Should I accept a settlement offer?
Many times, the trucking company or its insurance company will make a settlement offer soon after your accident. You might be tempted to accept such an offer, especially if you already have significant accident-related expenses.
It is important to carefully consider such an offer before agreeing to accept it. In most cases, once you accept a settlement offer, you cannot ask for additional money in the future, even if your accident expenses increase more than expected.
Trucking companies and insurance companies know this. That’s why they often make lowball settlement offers soon after a crash. A lawyer can review your offer and help you decide if you should accept it or ask for more money with the attorney’s help.
How much is my case worth?
Truck accident claims can cover a wide range. Some might be worth a few thousand dollars. Others might be worth significantly more. The bottom line is you should be paid for all past, present and future anticipated accident expenses, including:
- Vehicle replacement or repair costs.
- All accident-related medical expenses, now and in the future.
- Replacement income if you can’t work while recovering from your accident.
- Lost future income if you cannot return to work due to a permanent disability.
Remember, you didn’t do anything wrong. You shouldn’t have to pay for mistakes made by a reckless truck driver or an irresponsible trucking company. Demand the money you rightfully deserve. Hire an experienced lawyer to fight for your rights.
Make your case matter. Contact our law firm.
Experience matters when it comes to hiring a law firm when dealing with trucking companies. We believe we’re the right choice for many reasons. We thoroughly understand the state and federal laws governing trucking companies. We know how to investigate accidents. We also have extensive experience dealing with trucking companies and negotiating with them. Our case results speak for themselves. So do our testimonials. We’re the law firm you want when it matters most.
Take a stand against the trucking company after your accident. Contact us and schedule your free case evaluation with attorney Longo. He can answer your questions, review your case and explain the options available to you.