Truck Accident FAQ
Get answers from an experienced New Orleans attorney
When you ‘ve been injured in a New Orleans truck accident, your life can change in an instant. You need treatment and medical bills can add up fast. You feel you deserve financial compensation, but you’re not sure how much. You have a lot of questions and are just looking for some answers to help you decide what to do next.
At The Law Offices of John S. Williams, LLC, we can help you find those answers. Attorney John S. Williams fights for the rights of people who have been injured through no fault of their own. He knows how to build strong cases that insurance companies can’t ignore. He stands with you and fights for the financial compensation you deserve.
Frequently asked questions about truck accidents include:
- What should I do if I’ve been in a truck accident?
- When can I file a lawsuit?
- What regulations do truck drivers and trucking companies have to follow?
- Do I have to talk to the insurance company?
- Should I take a settlement offer from an insurance company?
- How much is my truck accident case worth?
- Do I need a truck accident lawyer?
- How long will it take to resolve my case?
When you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you need answers and solutions. That’s why it’s important to talk to a trusted truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Attorney John S. Williams is ready to fight for you. Contact us to schedule a free consultation. He can answer your questions and explain your legal options.
What should I do if I’ve been in a truck accident?
When you’ve been in a truck accident, there are steps you can take to help protect your health, as well as your legal rights. For example, call police or have someone else call. They can investigate the accident and will fill out a report. Be sure to get medical attention, even if you feel fine. You could have injuries that aren’t showing symptoms yet.
If you can, take pictures of the accident scene. You can also collect the names and contact information of everyone involved in the accident, including witnesses. The other thing you should do is contact a lawyer as soon as possible. We can review the details of your accident, go over your legal options and answer your questions.
In Louisiana, the statute of limitations for taking legal action after a truck accident is one year from the date of the crash. That’s not much time. That’s why it’s important to start work on your truck accident case as soon as possible.
We encourage you to get trusted legal advice as soon as possible following your truck accident. This lets us start work on your case right away. John takes steps to preserve evidence, such as hours of service (HOS) logs and information from the truck’s event data recorder. We review accident reports and interview witnesses. We build the strongest case possible and fight for the compensation you deserve.
What regulations do truck drivers and trucking companies have to follow?
Truck drivers and trucking companies need to follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. These regulations are designed to help keep people safe on the road. There are regulations addressing hours of service (HOS), truck weight limits, inspections and truck maintenance.
John is very familiar with these regulations. If you were hurt in a truck accident, he investigates to gather evidence that can help him determine if FMCSA regulations were followed by the driver and the trucking company. Failure to follow these federal regulations can be used as evidence of negligence.
Do I have to talk to the insurance company?
No, you don’t. Not long after your truck accident, you may be contacted by an insurance company that represents either the driver or the trucking company. The insurance adjuster may say the company just wants to get some more information. They may want to ask you some questions or make a recorded statement.
What the insurance company is really doing is trying to get you to say something that can be used against you. That’s why we advise clients to politely decline to answer any questions or make any statements if they are contacted by an insurance company. Explain that you need to talk to your attorney first. Then you can call us.
Should I take a settlement offer from an insurance company?
It’s not unusual for insurance companies to make a settlement offer soon after a truck accident. They will promise quick payment. They may even say that it’s the best that they can do. By this time, your medical expenses are adding up and you may be left wondering how you’re going to pay the bills. It can be tempting to accept their offer.
The problem is that their offer will fall far short of covering your total damages. They are making this offer because it will help them save money. We feel strongly that you should get the financial compensation you deserve. That’s why we build strong cases that the insurance company can’t ignore and negotiate a settlement that meets your needs.
How much is my truck accident case worth?
There is no simple way to answer that question, as every case is different. The value of your case depends on many factors – including the type and severity of your injuries, the circumstances of the crash, the parties responsible for the accident and insurance policy limits.
The insurance company may offer you a lowball settlement soon after your truck accident. We think you should be able to recover the financial compensation you deserve. We determine the total amount of damages you have suffered and fight for a resolution of your case that meets your needs. We can talk about the amount of compensation you can expect in your case during a free consultation.
Do I need a truck accident lawyer?
There is no law that says you need to have a lawyer when dealing with an insurance company after an accident, but it is in your best interests to have one. Insurance companies deal with injury claims every day. They have the advantage and they know it. They use that advantage to try to pay you as little as possible.
Insurance companies have lawyers fighting for them. You need an experienced truck accident lawyer who will fight for your rights. We know how to investigate truck accidents and gather evidence that helps identify negligent parties. Then we fight to help you recover the financial compensation you deserve.
How long will it take to resolve my case?
That depends on many different factors, including the type and severity of your injuries and the complexity of your case. When there’s a lot of money at stake, insurance companies will fight your claim aggressively. Some cases may be resolved through a negotiated settlement in a matter of months, but others can take years to resolve and may go to court.
You can expect us to build a strong case and fight for the best possible outcome. Any resolution of your case should include compensation for all the damages you suffered – including medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. We can give you a better idea about how long your case may take to resolve when you come in for a free consultation.