Every traffic accident is a traumatic experience, but when a truck is involved, the stress might be much more intense. When fully loaded, these vehicles can weigh up to 70,000 pounds. Serious injuries, some of which may not fully heal for years, may result after this type of accident.
Feeling lost and overwhelmed right after the accident might make it hard to know what to do next. The success of your accident and injury claim hinges on the steps you take after the crash to protect your legal rights and get the compensation you deserve. This is why we’ve gathered the important steps you need to take in this article.
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Seek Medical Help
It is important to get medical help right away if you think you’ve sustained a serious injury. Do not refuse an evaluation from paramedics who come on the spot. Certain injuries don’t show up right away after a crash. It could be many days or weeks after an accident before you feel the effects of a severe injury.
The insurance company or defense lawyers might argue that you don’t have enough evidence that your injuries were caused by the accident if you refuse or delay medical treatment. The opposing party may still argue that you should have sought medical attention sooner rather than later, even when the doctor has already determined that the accident was the most probable cause of your injuries. Doctors may do tests to reveal any hidden physical harm and ask for a follow-up appointment to look for any symptoms that may have developed later on. Whatever the situation is, you will be able to prove that you sought medical attention quickly.
Gather Information at the Scene
The injuries caused by truck accidents may be serious, if not fatal. Getting medical help right away is crucial; your health is your first concern. However, if you’re not injured and can stay at the scene and gather relevant information, here are some things you should do. First of all, document the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to your vehicle by taking pictures. Then, call the police and report the accident.
Talk to the truck driver and exchange details such as names, phone numbers, insurance details, license plate numbers, and driver’s licenses. Collect the details of the trucking company that employed the driver, as well as contact details of any witnesses you may speak with. Gathering as much information as possible at the accident scene is crucial. Together, you and your lawyer may use this to prove what happened and build a solid insurance claim.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer
The best time to make a call to a truck accident lawyer is right after the accident. Your rights will be better protected with their assistance. And to make sure you don’t say anything the other party may use against you, truck accident lawyers will provide advice on how to handle conversations. Hiring a legal team means that they will deal with any interactions between you, the insurance company, and the defense team. Their job includes safeguarding your rights, and both the procedure and the opposite side’s methods are known to them.
Hiring a lawyer after a truck accident may ease a lot of burdens, including collecting evidence, talking to witnesses, contacting specialists, negotiating with the opposing party, and filling out paperwork. Additionally, if your case does end up in court, your lawyer will be there to defend your interests and advocate on your behalf.
Don’t Apologize or Admit Any Fault
After an accident, it’s common to feel a need to apologize. You must fight off this need. Even though it’s meant to be an honest and polite expression of regret for the accident, it might be used as evidence in court or by insurance companies when you seek compensation. Expressing regret gives the opposing party more power in deciding who is at blame in an accident, regardless of how obviously the trucker was at fault. For them, it means admitting guilt.
Similarly, you should never express guilt to anybody, even if you think the accident was your fault. Liability in truck accidents is not always easy to determine because of how complex the crashes are. As an accident victim, you may not always be able to put a finger on what went wrong. There is usually more than one driver at fault. Some states follow the rule that says you can’t get noneconomic damages if you’re at least 51 percent at fault. Only if your liability is less than half, you may recover noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering. Admitting guilt gives the insurance company or defense lawyers evidence they might use to put more of the liability on you.
Image Source: Pixabay
Keep Track of All Expenses
Victims of truck accidents may incur enormous financial losses. The expenses that you may expect to incur include medical bills, prescription drugs, doctor visits, out-of-pocket fees, tests, surgeries, and other treatments; income lost due to missing work; diminished earning capability; and repairs or replacement of your car. Document all of the expenses that have arisen as a result of the accident. If you get any receipts, quotes, or bills related to the accident, don’t throw them away. A special folder for these documents could also be useful. These documents will serve as evidence of your losses when you submit your personal injury claim.
Avoid Social Media
If you are the type of person who often updates their followers on every aspect of life, your first reaction after a truck accident may be to share the details with them, even if it’s simply to let them know that you’re alright. Stay away from this temptation. The trucking company and their insurance company can easily see everything you share on social media. And whatever you say or do, no matter how innocent, might end up being proof that the truck accident did not severely injure you.
After a truck accident, you must take every possible measure to protect your rights. You need to follow certain steps and avoid certain mistakes; otherwise, you risk ruining your chance to pursue a successful claim. So, after a truck accident, it’s important to follow the steps listed above to make sure your rights are protected and that you get fair compensation.
Allen Brown is a dad of 3 kids and is a keen writer covering a range of topics such as Internet marketing, SEO and more! When not writing, he’s found behind a drum kit.
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