You may not know what to do after a truck accident. You probably do not practice law. You’ve experienced a traumatic event, one you’ll never forget. You might have suffered a severe injury, and you’re worried about its impact on the rest of your life.
But you might also feel anger because you know the truck driver caused the wreck.
Where do you turn to hold that driver – and anyone else who contributed to the accident – accountable?
Here’s some information on what to do after a truck accident. Following these tips will protect your health and get the money you deserve for your suffering. A McClean truck accident lawyer can provide further guidance in a free initial consultation.
See a Doctor Immediately
More than 110,000 people suffered injuries in truck accidents across the U.S. in a recent year. An 80,000-pound commercial truck hits a car with devastating results.
If someone survives the impact, they can sustain a catastrophic injury that will rob them of their quality of life. Common truck accident injuries include traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and many others.
However, you might not think your injury is that serious. You might have a little back or neck soreness, but that’s about it. But that soreness can indicate a more serious injury.
If you don’t get medical help, you might not realize you have an injury that will worsen over time – possibly to the point where it compromises your quality of life.
Protecting Your Health and Your Case
See a doctor for your health and to improve your chances of obtaining compensation.
The at-fault party’s insurance company will watch closely. They’ll know if you don’t get medical help and likely also know whether or not you’re following your doctor’s treatment plan.
If either is true, the insurer will use that information to damage your case. They’ll deny your claim, arguing you’re not injured that badly, if at all. The insurer could also argue that the accident didn’t cause your injury, and you had a pre-existing condition.
However, you can avoid that problem by seeing a medical professional. Doing so will create an official record of your injury and the treatment you’ll need.
Don’t Speak With an Insurance Company Adjuster
If you’ve ever been in a car wreck, your first instinct was probably to call your insurer. You did it because people have told you for years that it’s the right thing to do.
But is that really the case?
You might contact your insurance company thinking it’s on your side. After all, you’re their customer. You’ve paid them a lot of money over the years, so you assume they’ll give you the money you need.
However, your adjuster can misconstrue or twist your words to blame you. They might give you a mountain of documents to sign, and buried in the fine print a clause may take away your rights to pursue more compensation than the insurer offers.
Steer Clear of the At-Fault Party’s Insurer As Well
You definitely don’t want to communicate with the adjuster representing the insurer covering those to blame for the accident.
That adjuster will ask for permission to record the conversation, then ask you misleading questions designed to make you admit fault. If that happens, you’ll lose your chance to obtain compensation.
Call a Truck Accident Lawyer Immediately
You lower your chances of winning your case without the help of an experienced truck accident attorney – it’s just that simple.
The opposition is too powerful. Not only do insurers have skilled adjusters, but they also have high-powered attorneys who love it when injury victims don’t have legal representation.
Your lawyer will seek justice in many ways, including through:
- Investigating the accident: As sure you may be that you didn’t cause the accident, you need solid proof showing you weren’t to blame. A truck accident lawyer will thoroughly investigate and collect that proof. They’ll get physical evidence at the accident scene, obtain surveillance footage from nearby cameras, and take other steps to show you didn’t do anything wrong.
- Dealing with insurance: Experienced truck accident attorneys are skilled negotiators. Your lawyer will know how much your case is worth by calculating your economic (medical expenses, lost income, property damage, etc.) and non-economic damages or intangible losses. Non-economic damages include emotional and mental trauma, lost quality of life, and pain and suffering. Your attorney will demand full compensation and have the evidence to prove you deserve every dollar.
- Trial: Don’t feel nervous about going to court. Nearly 97 percent of personal injury cases like yours settle without a trial. But you shouldn’t worry even if the insurer refuses to settle. Your attorney will have the truth on their side and the skill to make a compelling argument to a jury. They can also bring in accident reconstruction and medical experts to further bolster your case.
Watch Your Social Media Activity
You should assume the defendant’s insurance company is always watching you. Unfortunately, that’s very likely the truth. Insurers are notorious for violating injury victims’ privacy, not only in everyday life but also online.
An insurance company employee will monitor your social media feeds. Don’t post anything regarding the accident, and don’t post anything about your daily activities.
The insurer can twist something as innocent as a picture of you going to the store as evidence you don’t have an injury. The best decision is to avoid posting anything the insurer can use against you.
A Skilled Truck Accident Lawyer is Standing By to Help
Hopefully, we’ve convinced you about what to do after a truck accident. If you take this advice, you’ll have a much better chance of recovering from your injury and getting the equitable compensation you have coming. Contact a reputable personal injury law firm in McLean, VA for your case.