What to Do After a Truck Accident
Commercial truck accidents often result in severe injuries and extensive property damage. In addition, multiple parties involved can include the truck driver, trucking company, and even manufacturers of the truck or its parts, making liability for the accident challenging to determine.
Anyone injured in a collision should seek immediate legal assistance to ensure they properly pursue a truck accident case and protect their future. Contact a local truck accident attorney today for skilled and experienced representation.
Seek Medical Attention
The first and most important step after a truck accident is to seek immediate medical attention. Even if you don’t feel any immediate pain or symptoms, get checked by a medical professional.
Injuries sustained in truck accidents can be deceptive, and symptoms may only become evident hours or even days later. A thorough medical evaluation will ensure that all injuries are properly diagnosed and documented, which benefits your health and any potential legal claim.
You Likely Have Serious Injuries
Truck accidents often result in severe injuries due to the sheer size and weight of these vehicles. Common injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Soft tissue injuries
Sometimes, it is obvious that you have serious injuries that require immediate medical treatment. Emergency medical care can be the difference between a positive prognosis and the life-long effects of your injuries.
Getting Prompt Medical Care Benefits Your Health and Legal Claim
Seeking prompt medical attention benefits your health and strengthens your legal claim. Insurance companies often dispute claims where there is a delay in seeking medical care. They may argue that your injuries were not severe or occurred after the accident.
By getting immediate medical attention, your doctors will create medical records that establish a clear link between the accident and your injuries, making it harder for the insurance company to deny your claim.
Avoid Insurance Company Discussions
After a truck accident, stay cautious when dealing with insurance companies. Their primary goal is to minimize their financial liability, which often leads them to downplay your injuries’ severity or pressure you into accepting a low settlement offer.
Always remember that insurance adjusters are not on your side and may use your statements against you to undermine your claim. Avoid discussing the details of the accident or your injuries with the insurance company without legal representation.
Insurance Companies Might Try to Trick You
Insurance companies are known for using various tactics to trick accident victims into providing information that goes against their interests. They might request a recorded statement and ask detailed questions, trying to elicit statements they can use to minimize or deny your claim. Consult a truck accident attorney before engaging in any discussions about what happened with adjusters.
Never Accept a Settlement Offer Without Legal Guidance
Accepting a settlement offer without the guidance of a truck accident attorney can have severe consequences. Insurers will usually initially make low offers to see if you will settle for less than you deserve.
Once you accept a settlement, you waive your right to pursue any further compensation, even if your medical expenses or other damages are more significant than anticipated.
An experienced truck accident attorney can assess your claim’s full value, considering your immediate needs and any future expenses, and negotiate with the insurance company to ensure that you receive fair compensation.
Consult a Truck Accident Attorney as Soon as Possible
Given the challenges of truck accident cases and the potential for multiple parties to be involved, always consult a truck accident attorney as soon as possible after the accident. They can evaluate the specifics of your case, gather evidence, and advise you on the best course of action.
There are several reasons why you should never delay in consulting a lawyer.
Evidence Preservation
Preserving evidence is necessary in building a strong truck accident case. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case.
Following a crash, significant evidence might be in the trucking company’s possession, and there is always the risk of evidence of liability being lost, destroyed, or concealed. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the sooner they can preserve evidence to ensure you have the strongest case possible.
Important Legal Deadlines
Legal deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, dictate how long you have to file a truck accident claim.
These deadlines vary from state to state, so consult a truck accident attorney to understand the specific timeframes and file your claim within the necessary period. Failing to meet these deadlines can result in the permanent loss of your right to seek compensation for your injuries and damages.
Peace of Mind
Without a professional legal evaluation, you might wonder about your legal options and rights. Can you seek compensation? How do you begin the process?
Once you have a free case evaluation with a truck accident attorney, you can gain immediate peace of mind by knowing what you can expect. They can advise you how much compensation you should receive and who should be responsible.
With a trusted legal professional handling the process, you can better focus on your medical treatment and physical recovery. This can provide significant stress relief, which is important when you are already dealing with the mental and physical strain of serious and costly injuries.
If for no other reason, peace of mind is why you should never delay in consulting a truck accident attorney in your area.
Don’t Wait to Discuss a Possible Case With a Truck Accident Lawyer
After a truck accident, don’t wait to discuss your case with a truck accident lawyer. Time is of the essence, and early intervention can significantly affect the outcome of your case.
A skilled personal injury attorney will handle the entire legal process, communicate with insurance companies, gather evidence, and build a strong case on your behalf. Contact a truck accident law firm near you today for a free consultation and get the skilled representation you need.