Do I Have A Semi-Truck Accident Case?
What Do You Need to Prove in a Semi-Truck Accident Case
In every semi-truck accident case, we must prove a number of things.
Liability
The first thing we have to prove is what the law calls liability. Liability means that the semi-truck driver or company caused the crash by committing a careless act or failing to act responsibly We can prove liability in a number of ways including documents, eyewitness testimony, pictures and by using expert witnesses. Oftentimes we need to hire an expert crash scene reconstructionist to recreate the crash and / or a forensic engineer to prove liability – prove that the semi-truck driver or the trucking company caused the crash.
Damages
We also have to prove that you have what the law calls damages. Damages are harms and losses – both tangible and intangible. There are financial harms (past and future lost income, past and future medical costs), property (damaged car, personal property), pain and suffering and emotional damages. We can prove damages with documents and witness testimony showing the lost income and the medical bills. We can prove the pain and suffering by testimony of witnesses and showing the jury the actual pain and suffering you endure. We can prove emotional damages from the testimony of expert witnesses such as psychologists and psychiatrists.
Causation
We also have to prove what the law calls causation. Causation simply means that the crash caused your injuries. Oftentimes insurance companies will claim that some other reason apart from the crash caused your damages. Often the insurance companies will claim that you were hurt but not nearly as much as you are claiming. The insurance companies often claim that your injuries existed before this crash and that this crash did not cause your injuries. Our job, as your attorney, is to show the jury the link between the crash and your injuries. We do this through witness testimony and documents. Sometimes we hire experts to prove that the crash caused your injuries.
This is all we need to determine if you have a case. We have to prove that the other person caused the crash (liability), that you suffered harms and losses (damages) and that the crash caused your damages (causation). That might be all we need to prove but in order to have a successful case there is one more very important thing you need.
Compensation
The person who is responsible for the crash must have money to pay. That usually means that the semi-truck driver or company causing the crash has good insurance coverage. However, even if the semi-truck driver or company causing the crash does not have insurance coverage, you might still have a good case. If you have been smart and purchased uninsured and underinsured insurance coverage, you may still have a good case. Even if there is no insurance coverage a good semi-truck accident attorney will have the means to investigate to see if the semi-truck driver or company who caused the crash has any assets that might be seized to make payment.
Bottom Line: If you can prove all of the above you have a great case but you will probably need a semi-truck accident attorney to get the full value of your claim.
George Tait Law and its lawyers are not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions about your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well. George Tait Law and its attorneys are licensed to practice law only in the State of Utah and maintain offices in Salt Lake City, Utah. No attorney client relationship is established by simply visiting this website.