A truck accident in Virginia can inflict physical trauma, and recovering from the experience takes time. It will also likely involve seeking the aid of numerous professionals committed to improving your well-being.
In many cases, though, you’ll need a qualified medical team to help you with your physical recovery, and you may need a therapist or counselor to help you address your mental trauma.
Don’t neglect to speak with a truck accident lawyer about your legal recovery, too, as they can help you pursue financial recovery after your accident.
How Soon You Should Hire a Virginia Truck Accident Lawyer?
It’s tempting to put off seeking legal counsel after a crash.
You may think you’ll have more time to speak to a lawyer after getting a handle on your physical injuries and processing what happened. Ideally, however, visit an attorney as soon as you’re certain your health is not in danger.
Of course, this isn’t always possible due. But if any of the following have occurred or are occurring, make it a point to meet with a truck accident lawyer right away.
You Sustained Severe Injuries or a Loved One Died
Fatal truck crashes or collisions where someone is seriously hurt add a layer of complexity to cases that can already be a complicated collection of laws and facts.
These cases often require voluminous evidence, and it’s easy to overlook, lose, or inadequately review documents. You can avoid this by retaining a truck accident lawyer immediately.
By giving your attorney ample time, they can gather the evidence needed to support your claim, interview essential witnesses, and strengthen your case.
You Received a Settlement Offer From the Trucking Company
A settlement offer can come from the trucker’s employer, an insurance company acting on the trucking company’s behalf, or the trucker themselves.
A settlement offer can come to you anytime after the crash occurs. Usually, the more evidence there is that the trucker was at fault for the crash, the quicker an initial offer will reach you. That said, you should never accept any settlement offer without first discussing it with your truck accident lawyer.
Initial settlement offers may seem appealing because they promise you monetary compensation quickly. But by accepting a settlement too soon, you can do irreparable harm to your financial situation and legal rights.
When you accept a settlement, you agree to relinquish any legal right to pursue further compensation from the at-fault truck driver, their employer, or their insurance company. Your settlement does what the name implies it “settles” all pending and potential legal claims between you and the other party.
Accepting a settlement under these circumstances can be a problem if you realize that the compensation you agreed to doesn’t completely cover your losses.
Perhaps your injuries turn out to be more extensive and require more treatment than initially thought, or maybe you didn’t believe you needed counseling immediately after the crash but have now realized you do. If these costs weren’t included in your settlement, you couldn’t obtain additional compensation after your payment is finalized.
Whenever you receive a settlement offer, consider it a prompt to speak with a qualified attorney. That way, you can avoid accepting a settlement that won’t adequately compensate you. Talking to a lawyer before accepting a settlement helps ensure that your settlement covers all your needs and losses.
The Statute of Limitations Is Approaching
Virginia’s truck accident lawsuit statute of limitations is two years. This period begins on the date your truck accident occurs. Only a limited number of events have the power to pause or extend the statute of limitations beyond these two years.
The statute of limitations serves to encourage injury victims to file their claims quickly so they can be adjudicated in a timely manner. If you miss this window, you’re out of luck.
Two years isn’t a lot of time to investigate a truck collision and file a lawsuit, considering all the work that goes into such an investigation, and the time can quickly slip by if you aren’t attentive.
If weeks or months passed since your crash and you haven’t yet spoken with a truck accident lawyer, do so immediately. You don’t want to miss an opportunity to receive compensation for your injuries simply because you weren’t watching the calendar.
You Have Questions About Filing an Insurance Claim or Lawsuit
Most people are understandably nervous about filing an insurance claim following any type of motor vehicle crash, let alone a truck accident. Dealing with insurance companies can be intimidating, and the fear of making an irreparable mistake that damages your compensation claim can paralyze some individuals and prevent them from taking action.
If you’re delaying action because you’re uncertain what to do, take it as a sign that it’s time to meet with a truck accident lawyer to discuss your options.
Truck accident lawyers in Virginia typically work on a contingency basis, meaning you won’t have to pay any upfront fees. If an attorney agrees to take your case, they’ll only be paid once they’ve successfully resolved your claim through settlement or trial.
This fee arrangement makes obtaining legal advice and counsel accessible to everyone. In other words, there’s no excuse for not proceeding with your claim before the statute of limitations expires.
Reach Out to a Qualified Virginia Truck Accident Lawyer
It’s always a good idea to talk to a Virginia personal injury lawyer about your rights after a truck crash. An attorney’s advice can give you the information and resources you need to move on from your accident without undue hardship.
Contact an experienced truck accident lawyer today to go over the details of your case and take the first step toward recovery.