Waipahu Truck Accident Lawyer
Hawaii residents rely on large trucks to transport and deliver goods throughout the islands. However, these enormous vehicles can gravely injure other road users when not handled with care. Injured victims may be entitled to financial compensation for their losses if a negligent trucker or other party causes an 18-wheeler accident. However, pursuing fair compensation for a serious injury can be challenging. Even the most deserving victims encounter challenges from stubborn insurance companies and attorneys.
A truck collision can put a massive emotional and financial strain on accident victims and their loved ones. The Waipahu truck accident attorneys at Recovery Law Center have over 25 years of experience handling complex personal injury claims. Our top-rated lawyers will hold reckless parties responsible for their actions and fight for the money you need to move forward in life.
Getting legal advice is quick and easy. Call or contact us today for a free consultation.
Causes of Waipahu Truck Crashes
Semi-truck accidents in Waipahu happen for various reasons. Most often, the cause is some form of driver error. Other common causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Intoxicated driving
- Drowsy driving
- Aggressive driving
- Speeding
- Failure to obey signs and signals
- Mechanical defects
- Defective parts
- Improper training
- Hiring inexperienced drivers
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Poor weather conditions
Types of Truck Accident Injuries
Trucks are heavy-duty machines powerful enough to haul tons of goods and operate for long periods. Indeed, a fully loaded semi-truck could weigh 20 to 30 times as much as the average passenger vehicle. That size difference alone means a truck wreck can cause immense damage. Statistics from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration show that 71 percent of people killed in large truck accidents in a recent year were the occupants of other vehicles.
Accident victims often find themselves struggling to regain their former mobility and health after a truck collision. Common types of truck accident injuries include:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Amputation
- Thermal burns
- Chemical burns
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
Severe injuries can generate massive medical bills and threaten a victim’s financial stability. If you suffered injuries in an Oahu crash, talk to a Waipahu truck accident lawyer about the value of your claim and your eligibility to seek meaningful compensation for your injuries.
What Should I Look for When Hiring a Waipahu Truck Wreck Lawyer?
First and foremost, you want to hire an attorney you can trust. You need a lawyer you trust when you are in physical and emotional pain. At Recovery Law Center, we focus on providing compassionate and knowledgeable legal guidance that takes all of your losses into account.
Experience matters when it comes to demanding valuable compensation after an accident. Look for a Waipahu truck accident attorney at Recovery Law Center with experience handling similar claims. Personal injury lawyers can handle a wide range of cases, but hiring a trial lawyer who has represented clients in truck accidents can give you peace of mind that you’ve hired someone who understands the complexities of state and federal trucking regulations.
How Long Do I Have to Get a Lawyer?
Many accident victims want to know how much time they have to find a Waipahu 18-wheeler accident lawyer. The answer is always, the sooner, the better.
Technically, Hawaii gives accident victims two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, immediately getting an attorney on your side is always the best course of action.
An attorney can help you with more than just filing a personal injury lawsuit. Your legal team will also investigate the cause of the crash, identify all liable parties, gather evidence, and file an insurance claim on your behalf. A knowledgeable attorney will also advise whether a settlement offer is reasonable or if going to court might offer you the best chance at a favorable outcome.
Dealing with Insurance Companies After a Truck Accident in Waipahu
Dealing with insurance companies is never easy. While they may act like your best friend over the phone, you must remember an insurance company is a for-profit entity. Their priority is to keep profits high and insurance payouts low.
Hawaii is one of a handful of no-fault insurance states. After an accident, most victims must file a claim with their own insurer. Typically, a victim’s personal injury protection coverage (PIP) will pay for medical expenses and other related financial losses regardless of who caused the truck accident.
However, the state’s personal injury laws allow victims to seek compensation if they meet a serious injury threshold. You might meet the threshold if:
- You exhaust your PIP policy limits.
- Your injuries include significant or permanent loss of a body part or bodily function.
- You are seriously or permanently disfigured.
Significant truck accidents tend to cause injuries that meet at least one of these thresholds. When that is the case, a victim can attempt to pursue compensation from a third-party insurer or file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver or trucking company. The threshold is also met if a victim dies in a trucking accident.
Be prepared that truck company insurers can be very aggressive and will fight to protect the company and its drivers. Filing a claim and negotiating for the money you deserve against a corporate entity can be extremely taxing. Having an attorney manage your claim may give you the best chance to build a strong case and recover maximum compensation.
