Drayton D. Berkley Trucking Accidents Law Blog on Lawyers.com

Actions to Take in a Tractor Trailer Case

Thursday, August 5, 2010 by Drayton D. Berkley

For many people, driving next to tractor trailers is extremely worrisome. Driving at night in front of a tractor trailer is an especially nerve-wracking experience. With their bright lights and enormous size, these metal beasts can cause fear and anxiety as you peer into your rear-view mirror. You have probably even thought about what would happen if you were involved in a tractor trailer accident. How bad would your injuries be? Would your car be totaled? How would you pay for the medical bills?

What you may not realize is that tractor trailer accidents occur fairly frequently. Knowing what legal action to take if you are in a truck accident can be difficult amidst the shock and confusion.

Steps to pursuing legal action if you are in an accident with a tractor trailer

Below is a list of the steps you should take if you wish to pursue legal action:

Obtain a copy of the police report: Immediately following the accident, a police officer will probably issue the driver of the tractor trailer a citation. This police report validates the fact that the truck driver is the person responsible for your accident and this information is extremely important to your personal injury case.
Hire an attorney: You must hire an experienced attorney. As you may have noticed, there is certainly no shortage of personal injury lawyers to choose from in the world. However, choosing a skilled, knowledgeable lawyer is imperative to the success of your case. The legal team you select can begin investigating the accident to determine exactly what happened. Depending on whether or not the truck trailer contains cargo, the responsible party may differ. If the trailer is empty, your attorney will probably recommend a case against the driver. If the trailer contains cargo, your case will likely be against the trucking company.
Be patient: While not always the case, be prepared for your case to take some time. Also, remember that your lawyer is there to help you. Do not be afraid to ask questions about how long your case is going to take. Inquire about how strong your case is, if there are any weaknesses, and if you should take a settlement or go to trial.

Contact our Memphis tractor trailer accident law firm

Contact the Berkley Law Firm for help when you are in a trucking accident.

Posted at 11:34 AM

Topic: Trucking Accidents