Seeking Medical Treatment

Whenever an injured person wishes to pursue legal action following a semi-truck collision, one critical initial step is to get appropriate medical treatment for any injuries. This is essential to a person’s physical wellbeing and helps begin the recovery process. It is also crucial to have any damages documented as soon as possible after a wreck so that insurance companies and defendant attorneys cannot easily dispute an individual’s injuries. If a person fails to be medically treated or examined promptly after being involved in a collision with a heavy commercial vehicle, and only later attempts to claim an injury, the validity of their claims will likely be disputed.

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Preserving Evidence

Another important step early on in the litigation process for a Denton truck crash claim is to preserve evidence. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s regulations, trucking companies are only required to keep logbooks and supporting documentation for a six-month period. That means, if an injured person does not seek legal counsel soon after being involved in a truck collision, they could risk losing the evidence necessary to prove a truck driver’s negligence. However, if retained early on in a case, a skilled attorney could ensure that all critical documentation is preserved, including:

  • Trip reports
  • Logbooks
  • Fuel receipts
  • Weigh tickets
  • Vehicle and equipment inspections
  • Training materials
  • A driver’s qualification file
  • A driver’s recent blood or alcohol tests
  • Onboard video

Any of the above materials could make the difference in demonstrating a truck driver’s fault when filing an 18-wheeler accident claim in Denton.

Understanding Litigation Procedures

Once an injured individual seeks medical treatment and their lawyer preserves the necessary evidence, the official litigation process for a Denton tractor-trailer crash claim can truly begin. At this point, a demand letter is usually sent to the defendant party(s) in an attempt to negotiate restitution outside of court. If the demand is not met, or if the parties cannot agree on a settlement amount, then the official lawsuit is filed. Next, both sides prepare their case for trial and go through a process called discovery. During discovery, attorneys for both sides may ask questions or request documents from either the injured party or the defendant party(s). Finally, depositions—which are sworn out-of-court testimonies—are taken from each party and turned into transcripts to later be used in court. After the discovery process, both sides will enter into mediation. Mediation provides an opportunity to settle the case outside of court with the help of an impartial third-party. The mediator will attempt to help both parties resolve any conflict or animosity and come to a fair compromise, avoiding the time and money that comes with a long-drawn-out trial. However, mediation does not always work—especially if large trucking conglomerates or their greedy insurance companies are involved and refuse to pay an injured individual what they deserve for their damages. In such instances, the case will proceed to trial and be left up to a judge or jury to decide.

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An Attorney Could Help with Filing a Truck Accident Claim in Denton

If you or a loved one suffered losses in a collision with a heavy commercial vehicle, you have a right to hold the negligent parties accountable. However, filing a truck accident claim in Denton can be a complicated process, in which a single misstep could cost you the comprehensive financial recovery you need and deserve. Do not attempt to take all of this on by yourself. Reach out to one of the dedicated legal professionals at our firm today for trusted guidance every step of the way.

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Get The Help You Need Contact McCraw Law Group

If you are in need of a personal injury attorney in North Texas, please contact the team at McCraw Law Group today. We are ready to help you in a broad range of serious accident and injury legal issues, and offer multiple ways to reach us.

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If you are in need of a personal injury attorney in North Texas, please contact the team at McCraw Law Group today. We are ready to help you in a broad range of serious accident and injury legal issues, and offer multiple ways to reach us.

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