If you were in a trucking accident in New Iberia with an 18-wheeler, then you may have questions and concerns. Laws governing these types of accidents are different than others. There are many unique issues because semi-truck drivers have state and federal regulations that must be followed. They have different insurance requirements, and the company the driver works for may also be responsible for the accident.
Because of all these different technical problems, it is best to hire a lawyer to help you fight for your rights and compensation. Even though the person hit by the semi-truck usually has a better chance to winning because of all the parties involved, it can make it easier on you to hire someone.
A trucking accident in New Iberia will involve the local authorities, the driver of the semi-truck, manufacturers and owners. There will be a lot of investigation into the accident, such as if the weight the rig was carrying was appropriate, if the driver had enough rest or was driving while tired, was the semi-truck in good working order and more. Without a lawyer present, you may not be able to find out the information from all these investigations, which could cause you to get a lower settlement or be unprepared in court.
It is also important to have a lawyer because settlements could be larger than normal. Insurance companies are there to help pay for any problems. However, the person at fault is usually required to pay some of the settlement expenses. This is generally based on what the person can afford. However, because there is the owner of the trucking company and more insurance, the settlement could be a lot larger than with two small vehicles. Without a lawyer, you may not know policy limits of the insurance.
A trucking accident in New Iberia may also mean there are multiple defendants (those at fault). This can make it more difficult for people without a lawyer. An attorney is able to handle many defendants. In most cases, they will be tried together, but they may be tried separately. Hiring a lawyer may mean that you are not required to be at court every single time, though you will need to discuss this with your attorney.
If you were in a trucking accident in New Iberia with a big rig, then consider Craig A. Davis, who is a personal injury lawyer.