Defiance, OhioTruck on a road outside Defiance, Ohio is a beautiful place to live, but it does have a significant amount of commercial traffic. Semi-truck accidents are often far more serious and can be more complex in the aftermath. If you’ve been seriously injured in an accident, struggling with lost wages, mounting medical bills, and the loss of your car, you need help to get the compensation you deserve.

The process of negotiating a settlement with a commercial insurance company representing the trucking company while still recovering from your injuries can make the aftermath of an accident overwhelming.

If you were in a truck accident that was not your fault and you are struggling with serious injuries, you need a Defiance, Ohio truck accident attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve.

After a Car Accident, What Damages Can I Claim?

There are two types of damages you can claim after an accident: current damages and future damages. If you’ve been seriously injured, you may only be thinking of the current damages, which are the expenses you incur. This includes repairing or replacing your vehicle, covering your current medical bills, lost wages, and any other costs resulting from the accident you are facing right now.

Some of these expenses may be easy to document and calculate, as you’ll have bills and statements readily available. The commercial insurance company is only too happy to let you think this is all you are entitled to.

They will not tell you that you are also entitled to future damages, and this is where your Defiance, Ohio, semi-truck accident attorney is there to help. You are also entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, your anticipated long-term medical needs, and any future loss of earnings that can result from the accident.

You may not know how to put a monetary value on these damages, but your attorney will.

Negotiating with the Insurance Company After a Car Accident

Dealing with the insurance company should be simple when the accident was not your fault, and you have documented property damage and injuries. However, that is not usually the case.

Insurance companies are businesses that are concerned about showing a profit rather than making large settlement offers. They will use a team of attorneys to get you to accept the lowest possible settlement they can offer.

The process is designed to be difficult for anyone outside the legal community to understand, and the insurance company knows they can prey on your vulnerability to manipulate the situation in their favor.

The insurance company will often try to pressure you to accept their offer or risk losing a payout entirely. You may want to take whatever they offer when recovering from an injury and facing mounting medical bills and lost wages.

Remember, the commercial insurance company is looking out for its clients.

You, as the injured party need someone looking out for you; you need your representation.

How Soon Should I Contact an Attorney?

The sooner you contact a car accident attorney in Defiance, the sooner your attorney can negotiate on your behalf and counter the tactics a commercial insurance company may try to employ.

It’s best to contact an attorney immediately so they can begin to request and gather the documentation and evidence needed to build your case, calculate your damages, and determine the amount of compensation you are due.

Most semi-truck accident cases can be settled and do not go to court, but if necessary, the Statute of Limitations in Ohio gives you two years from the accident date to file a suit.

That may seem like plenty of time, but if the commercial insurance company drags out your negotiations and you don’t contact an attorney until you are stuck, you could find yourself unable to file.

Your first consultation is free, so there is no harm in meeting with an attorney as soon as possible.

Avoid Mistakes to Receive a Fair Settlement

The commercial insurance companies representing the semi-trucker driver and trucking company design the settlement process to protect themselves and the trucking company paying them, not the victims.

This means that an accident victim can unwittingly hurt their own case and cost themselves a fair settlement by trusting the insurance company and accepting a quick settlement.

Once you settle, you will not be paid further even if you have more injuries than you initially thought and or have additional medical bills related to your injuries.

Working with a truck accident attorney can help you navigate the process, but there are also simple things you can do to sidestep any mistakes. The first tip is not to delay medical attention or attempt to downplay your injuries to try and demonstrate that you are coping. Delaying medical attention can give the insurance company the impression that the accident was not serious and any injuries you claim may not even be related.

After seeking medical attention, don’t lose track of any documentation you may need to prove the accident’s severity. Take pictures of your injuries, the damage to your car, and the scene. Keep notes about problems you are having.

Finally, remember that the insurance company is not actually on your side. Be careful about what you say, whether in person or on social media and do not apologize for anything related to the accident, as this can be construed as admitting to shared fault.

Having an experienced attorney who understands semi-truck accidents means you will have a guide to navigate the process without any costly errors.

Affording a Car Accident Lawyer in Defiance, Ohio

When you are struggling to recover physically after a serious car accident with a semi-truck and are facing serious injuries, lost wages, and medical bills piling up, you may think that hiring an attorney is out of your reach.

Hiring an attorney comes with fees – not only the attorney fees themselves but the costs associated with fighting your case against the semi-truck commercial insurance company. Many victims try to go it alone because they feel they can’t afford an attorney.

Don’t hesitate because you think hiring an attorney is too expensive. A good car accident attorney will work with you to get the settlement you deserve, and you will likely end up with a larger settlement more quickly, even after your attorney fees.

A quality attorney will work on a contingency basis, meaning that you will not have any up-front costs, and the fees your attorney receives are paid out as a percentage of the final settlement when you are paid.

The first consultation with the team at Arthur Law Firm is always free, and the Fair and Square Guarantee ensures that your attorney fees will never exceed your net recovery.

You can trust the attorneys at Arthur Law Firm to fight for you without the fear that you will pay more in legal fees than you can recover in your settlement. When you have your free consultation, our team will discuss all the costs and payments with you to avoid any surprises later.

How do I Find an Accident Lawyer in Defiance, Ohio, Who Handles Semi-Truck Accidents?

When you’ve decided to hire an attorney to help you through the process, the next step is to find the right car accident attorney in Defiance, Ohio.

The most important qualities your car accident attorney should have are years of experience and an excellent track record in accident cases involving semi-trucks like yours.

You want an attorney who is extremely familiar with the strategies and tactics used by commercial insurance companies and has a plan to counter these tactics. When you look to hire an attorney, ask to speak to former clients who have had an accident involving a semi-truck and been through the process.

A good attorney in Defiance, Ohio, will be willing to provide testimonials from former clients who had good outcomes. Schedule your free consultation and ask questions about the process, the fee structure, the timeline, and any other relevant concerns you have. Once you connect with an attorney, you can get started on moving forward with your claim—and your life.