Facing the aftermath of any type of injury accident can be overwhelming, but when the accident involves a large commercial vehicle, the chances of suffering a life-altering injury increase significantly. Knowing what to do after a truck accident — immediately at the scene and in the days, weeks, and months that follow — is crucial if you are considering legal action to pursue financial compensation. With the help of an experienced truck accident lawyer, you can lay out a game plan that will put you in the strongest available position to pursue the outcome you deserve.
Suppose you or a close family member have suffered an injury in a truck accident caused by another party’s negligence or reckless actions. In that case, you have the right to file a truck accident claim and seek financial compensation that you can use to pay your medical costs, cover lost income if you cannot work, and relieve expenses related to property damage. Choosing the right truck accident attorney to represent you is vital as part of your plan of things to do after your accident. Read more below to learn what you need to focus on following your truck accident to start the process as quickly as possible.
The Seriousness of Truck Accidents
Though any type of traffic crash can result in significant property damage and a wide range of physical injuries, truck accidents carry a particularly high risk of severe injury (or even fatality) due to several factors. The size and weight of an 18-wheeler traveling at a high rate of speed can have a catastrophic impact on other vehicles. Additional factors, such as trucks carrying hazardous materials, can also play a role in the high risk of injury in such accidents.
Avoid Common Mistakes after a Truck Crash
Because of the seriousness of a truck crash, you must navigate the aftermath with caution. There are common mistakes that truck accident victims often make, but by being aware of them, you can protect your rights and seek the compensation you deserve.
First and foremost, don’t delay seeking medical care. Even if your symptoms seem minor or you feel fine initially, still get a thorough medical evaluation. Some injuries, particularly TBIs, may not manifest immediate symptoms but can have severe long-term consequences. Prompt medical attention will not only ensure your well-being but also establish a vital medical record that will support your claim.
Secondly, avoid speaking with insurers without legal representation. Insurance companies are skilled at minimizing payouts and may try to take advantage of your vulnerable state. By working with an experienced attorney, you can have someone on your side who understands the complexities of personal injury law and will fight for your rights.
Lastly, do not accept any offers without consulting a lawyer first. Insurance companies may try to pressure you into settling quickly, offering a lowball amount that may not cover your current and future medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. An attorney can assess the true value of your claim and negotiate on your behalf to secure fair compensation.
Now that you know the mistakes to avoid, let’s focus on what you should do.
Seeking Medical Care
Truck accidents, like other traffic crashes, can cause a variety of injuries, ranging from relatively minor cuts, bruises, and scrapes to far more severe injuries and conditions like bone fractures, internal injuries, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and more. Diagnosing these injuries is important for your physical health and critical for building a legal case for compensation.
The Importance of Prompt Medical Attention
There are multiple reasons why you should never put off receiving a full medical evaluation after a truck accident. Some injuries may not manifest immediately and only become apparent through medical testing. Additionally, any delay in receiving medical treatment for an injury can have negative legal implications later on if the defendant attempts to use your delay in seeking medical attention as a sign that your injuries were either not significant or were caused by some other incident.
Signs & Symptoms to Look for Even If Injuries Seem Minor
As mentioned above, there are cases where an injury or medical condition is not immediately evident following an accident, which makes it important to know what signs and symptoms to look for that may indicate an injury. Things you should be watching for can include:
- Pain and stiffness
- Cognitive issues
- Persistent headaches
- Vision irregularities
- Dizziness
Some injuries and pain may initially seem minor when they are signs that something far more serious is happening. Seeking prompt medical attention and receiving a full assessment can help diagnose underlying health issues.
Documenting Injuries & Medical Treatment
Thorough documentation of all injuries and medical treatment is essential when pursuing legal action. Obtaining and keeping copies of medical records related to the accident, including diagnoses, doctor’s appointments, and treatments prescribed, will provide evidence that supports your claims regarding your injuries. Photographic evidence of your injuries can strengthen your argument as well. Failure to fully document injuries may create opportunities for the opposing party’s legal representation to cast doubt on the severity or cause of your injuries.
Contacting a Truck Accident Lawyer
Along with addressing your physical injuries, finding the right lawyer to guide you after your truck crash is the most important aspect of the post-accident process. Countless attorneys are available, but choosing the right one for you can be critical to the success of your case. Knowing the importance of legal representation and hiring a truck accident lawyer should be your priority.
The Critical Role an Attorney Plays
Like other legal matters, truck accidents require a trained eye and professional insight to navigate a complicated process. Emphasizing the benefit of legal intervention early and making well-informed decisions cannot be overstated. The timing of consulting with a lawyer and the promptness to take action can be key elements in your case.
When & Why to Contact a Lawyer After an Accident
You should never delay contacting a lawyer following an accident, especially when you have suffered an injury. Acting quickly gives you a better chance of collecting valuable evidence while it exists, including testimony from witnesses while their memories are still fresh. The longer you wait to hire an attorney, the more you risk losing key evidence and creating opportunities for the other parties to build stronger cases in their defense.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Lawyer
While no one should choose a lawyer based on any one factor, there are certain things to look for when finding the right attorney for your case. In filing a truck accident claim, some of the more important things to consider include finding a lawyer who has experience handling truck accident cases similar to yours and reading reviews and testimonials from previous clients to learn how the attorney has fared in these cases in the past.
Gathering Evidence for Your Case
In addition to the critical aspect of finding the right attorney to handle your truck accident case, one of the most crucial elements to the success of your claim is how well you and your lawyer gather evidence to support your case. Collecting the right types of evidence, gathering as much of it as possible, and doing so promptly are all important parts of building a strong case.
The Importance of Preserving Evidence
Any relevant evidence can potentially be the key information that results in you reaching the desired resolution. This is why starting the evidence-gathering process as quickly as possible is essential. If you hesitate and fail to collect important evidence to support your case, you risk that evidence being destroyed or lost to time. As the adage goes, you should always “strike while the iron is hot.”
Documenting the Accident Scene, Injuries, and Property Damage
Thorough documentation of all aspects of the accident at the scene (damage to vehicles, visible injuries, and important aspects of the accident scene itself) can all be valuable from a legal standpoint. Important documentation can also be helpful in the days, weeks, and months after the accident (including medical records, witness testimony, and repair estimates).
Obtaining the Truck Driver’s Information
Another vital information is the truck driver’s name and other contact information. The trucking company can also seek the truck driver’s records, truck maintenance logs, and other documentation. This evidence can be instrumental in establishing liability for the truck driver, the trucking company, maintenance personnel, and other potentially responsible parties.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
The aftermath of any accident involving multiple parties will inevitably lead to the necessity of dealing with insurance companies. Insurance providers have an important role in covering individuals and businesses in the event of an accident. Though this is a helpful service in many cases, there are potential pitfalls and common mistakes when communicating with insurance companies.
The Role of Insurance Providers in Truck Accident Cases
As with other types of traffic crashes, insurance companies play a significant role in shaping the direction of a truck accident case. Understanding the function and tactics used by insurers in these types of accidents can provide you with helpful insight as you seek compensation after your truck accident. Speak with your lawyer to learn more about the intricacies of truck accident insurance and how these policies apply to your situation.
Communication with the Insurance Company
While many insurance companies work hard to help their policyholders, there are other times when some insurance companies will prioritize their bottom line and seek to rid themselves of troublesome claims and legal issues. Having your lawyer handle all communication with insurance companies is always your best option to protect yourself from stepping into traps and keep yourself positioned as strongly as possible.
Tactics Used by Insurance Adjusters
Some insurance adjusters are savvy enough to use certain negotiation strategies designed to benefit the insurance companies and put claimants at a disadvantage. Early lowball settlement offers, attempting to lead claimants into providing incriminating statements that leave them admitting guilt or taking on fault for the accident, and other tactics can put the success of your truck accident claim at risk. This is the type of situation that emphasizes the importance of having professional legal representation on your side.
Seeking Compensation
This comes down to one goal: obtaining the financial compensation you need and deserve following your truck accident. A successful truck accident case can provide you with compensation that you can use to pay your medical expenses, ease the burden of lost income if your injuries prevent you from working, and cover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle. Depending on the specifics of your case, there may also be consideration for other damages like pain and suffering or even punitive damages in accidents of egregious negligence.
Your attorney, leveraging their extensive legal knowledge and experience, will guide you in assessing your case in detail. They will skillfully steer you in the right direction, providing strategic counsel as you build and present your case to secure the most favorable outcome. With their dedicated support, you can confidently navigate the complexities of the legal process, ensuring robust representation of your rights and interests at every stage is a core focus.
Trust a Knowledgeable Truck Accident Attorney
When you have suffered an injury in a truck accident, the last thing you need to worry about is how to handle negotiating with insurance companies and seeking compensation while also attempting to stay on track with your doctor’s plan for recovery. Putting your case — and your chances of obtaining the outcome you want — in the hands of an experienced truck accident lawyer is always your best option. With the help of a knowledgeable attorney, you can feel confident that your truck accident injury claim is in good hands and have peace of mind that your rights will remain protected and your best interests will always be a priority.
Though this article covered the basic elements of things you should do following a truck accident, you must focus on choosing a skilled personal injury lawyer to handle your case. The legal landscape is replete with complex nuances that highly trained professionals best handle. An experienced truck accident attorney will work with you to assess the details surrounding your accident, explain the options available to you, handle all communication and negotiation with insurance companies, and lead you in the right direction throughout every phase of the legal process. If you or someone you love needs strong legal representation following a truck accident, contact an attorney today to schedule a consultation.
