After a truck crash, you may understandably feel shaken, confused, and unsure of what to do next. However, always remain calm and focused, as you need to protect your rights to compensation for your injuries and losses.
An experienced truck accident attorney can advise you what to do - and not do - in the stressful and often chaotic aftermath of a truck accident.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
Get a Doctor to Diagnose All Injuries
After a truck accident, immediately get all your injuries diagnosed by a medical professional. Some injuries may be immediately obvious and require emergency care, while others may not. Regardless of the severity of your injuries, seek prompt medical attention to ensure you receive a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Even seemingly minor injuries can worsen without timely treatment, leading to long-term complications. By getting a thorough medical evaluation, you both protect your health and establish a record of your injuries, which you need for your truck accident claim.
Seek a Free Legal Consultation With a Truck Accident Lawyer
After seeking medical attention, consult a truck accident lawyer who has handled these complicated matters. A truck accident attorney can evaluate what happened and advise you on your best legal options.
Most reputable truck accident lawyers offer free consultations, allowing you to discuss your case without any financial obligation. Once you have the right legal representation, you can focus on your physical recovery without stressing about the legal process.
A Truck Accident Attorney Can Begin Preserving Evidence
A truck accident attorney will preserve and gather critical evidence related to your case.
In truck accident cases, evidence can include:
- Physical evidence from the accident scene
- The truck's maintenance records
- Driver electronic logbooks
- Black box data
- Dashcam footage
- Witness statements
Much of this evidence is in the hands of the trucking company, and they may lose or destroy it. Hiring a truck accident attorney early in the process enables them to act quickly and demand that the truck company preserve valuable evidence in anticipation of legal action. You need this evidence to establish liability.
Your Truck Accident Lawyer Will Handle All Communications With Trucking and Insurance Companies
Trucking and insurance companies have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters who they train to minimize their liability and pay out as little as possible.
By hiring a truck accident lawyer, you transfer the burden of communication to them. Your lawyer will handle all interactions with these parties, protecting your claim so you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses. This allows you to focus on your recovery and reduces the stress and anxiety of dealing with legal matters on your own.
Consider the Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations sets a deadline for when you can file a lawsuit in civil court, and once this deadline passes, you may lose your right to seek compensation. The specific statute of limitations will vary depending on the jurisdiction.
Consulting a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible allows them to file your claim within the appropriate time frame, protecting your right to compensation.
What NOT to Do
In addition to knowing what steps to take after a truck accident, you must know what not to do. Avoiding certain actions can prevent further complications and protect your legal rights.
Do Not Speak With Adverse Parties or Insurers
After a truck accident, do not speak with adverse parties or insurance companies without first consulting your truck accident lawyer. The other party or their insurance company will use anything you say against you to diminish your claim or deny your compensation.
Insurance adjusters are skilled at getting accident victims to make statements they can later twist to benefit their case. By redirecting all communications through your lawyer, you protect yourself and make sure you don't inadvertently say anything that may jeopardize your claim.
Do Not Accept a Settlement Without Legal Advice
Insurance companies often try to settle cases quickly before the full extent of an injured person's damages is known. They may offer a settlement that seems tempting initially, but you should never accept any offers without first having your truck accident lawyer review them.
Accepting a settlement without legal advice will likely result in you receiving less compensation than you deserve.
A lawyer will assess the full extent of your personal injury damages and determine whether the settlement offer covers those losses. If not, they will negotiate with the insurance company for fair compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wage, and pain and suffering.
Do Not Ignore Your Legal Rights or Waste Time
After a truck accident, do not ignore your legal rights or waste time. The longer you wait to seek legal representation, the more difficult it may become to gather evidence and build a strong case.
Additionally, the statute of limitations mentioned earlier can play a role if you wait too long to start the claim process. By consulting a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible, you ensure you have the best chance of receiving the compensation you deserve.
Consult a Truck Accident Lawyer Now
If you suffer an injury in a truck accident, schedule your free case evaluation with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. They have the knowledge and resources to build a strong case and oversee the complex legal process, often handling difficult negotiations with tough insurance companies.
Remember, you should not face the aftermath of a truck accident alone, as seeking legal representation can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim. Contact an attorney today. After medical treatment, the best step you can take to protect your future is to hire a truck accident lawyer.