One of the first things a Truck Accident Lawyer in Bowie will do when they get a case is to determine who was at fault for their accident. This is important as the victim cannot obtain compensation from someone who was not at fault and, if the victim had some fault in the accident, they might not be entitled to as much compensation from the accident. The fault is going to be determined by checking the evidence for the case, including police reports, video surveillance if available, and talking to witnesses.
Who Caused the Accident?
The accident may not be caused by the truck driver, even though it seems like it. If they were forced to drive longer than legally allowed, for example, their employer could actually be at fault for the accident. If the truck failed because of improperly done repairs and caused the accident, the repair shop might be at fault. There is a lot that goes into determining the fault of the accident, and it also needs to be determined if the victim of the accident had any part in causing the accident as well.
Was the Victim Partially to Blame?
In some accidents, the Truck Accident Lawyer in Bowie may find that their own client had some part in causing the accident. When this happens, the amount of which the client is at fault is going to determine how much compensation they may receive from the accident. If it’s determined they were 25% at fault, they may receive 25% less in a settlement than if they were not at fault at all. A lawyer will need to determine this amount before they begin negotiations with the other party determined to be at fault.
Determining the fault in a truck accident is not always easy as there are a variety of factors that can contribute to the accident. In many cases, it’s far more complicated to determine fault than it would be in a car accident. If a person is in a truck accident, they will want to speak with a Truck Accident Lawyer in Bowie to make sure they receive the compensation they’re entitled to. For more information, please contact the Jaklitsch Law Group today.