The amount of physical, emotional, and financial damages resulting from an accident can be very severe. Truck accidents specifically, can be much more damaging than a normal car accident. There are certain rights that you’re entitled to after getting into an accident and issuing an injury claim. Here’s how to get the most out of your injury claim after you’ve been in a truck accident.
Remain at the Scene of the Accident
It is very important not to flee from the accident site, even if the other driver drives off. Fleeing the crime scene may result in hit-and-run felony charges, if there are deaths at the crime scene, even if the deaths were caused by the other driver. It is also very dangerous to drive your car after getting hit without checking the car first because there might be some damages that can cause another accident or may put your life at risk. Park on the sideway and make sure that you’re parked safely before getting out of your car.
Gather Evidence
After getting to safety and ensuring that you’re not injured, you should then start gathering evidence. You should take pictures of both cars from all angles and close up pictures of the damaged parts. You should also write down the truck’s license number on a piece of paper and take a picture of the license plate. You should also memorize anything that the truck driver says where they admit that the accident was their fault and share those words with the police and your attorney.
Call Emergency Hotline
You must call your emergency hotline as soon as you can. After you’ve made your call, the police will arrive within a few minutes. When you’re talking to the police and even before they arrive, don’t ever admit guilt or say anything that implies that you were wrong. Make sure that you share all the information you have gathered, like pictures, numbers, or statements of the witness, with the police.
Share Contact Information
It is very important to share your contact information with the other driver and to give them yours. You should get their name and phone number, just make sure that they gave you a working number and a real name. It is preferable that you share with them your attorney’s contact information, instead of yours, if you have one available at the time of the accident to prevent any contact between you and the other driver.
Ask Witnesses For Help
Witnesses play a very important role in accidents, especially when the accident wasn’t your fault and the truck driver will not admit to their fault. You should make sure that anyone who has seen the accident and is willing to testify, waits with you until the police arrive. If that is not possible, then get their contact information and share it with the police so that they can reach the witnesses. Point out to the police about the presence of any nearby surveillance cameras which might have caught the accident or where you can get the license plate numbers of cars that would have witnessed the accident.
Seek Medical Help
Your safety should always be your number one concern. It is crucial that you seek immediate medical care and have a doctor check you out. Point out to the doctor the areas of your body that hurt and explain to them any symptoms that you’re experiencing as there might be internal bleeding. If you’re on any type of medication, make sure to share this information with your doctor. Ask your doctor for medical reports explaining your injuries and what could have caused them. These reports will definitely help your case and help you reach the settlement you’re looking for.
Hire a Good Attorney
Most of the time after getting into an accident, you will have to face many legal matters and paperwork. It is very important for you to have a good, qualified attorney by your side throughout all of this. Having an attorney who specializes in truck accidents is better than hiring any accident attorney. If you cannot find a well-experienced attorney in your hometown, you can definitely find a truck accident attorney in Florida who will be able to help you. It is a must that you share all the accident details with your attorney and trust that they have your best interests at heart. Share all the evidence you’ve gathered, the witnesses’ information and the doctor reports with your attorney so that they can use them to help you win your claim. You mustn’t talk to anyone from the opposing party when your attorney is not present. You must never accept a settlement offer without having your attorney view it and take their advice on what you should do.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
Even if the accident wasn’t your fault, it is best that you report it to your insurance provider. You need to share with them information about the damages done to your car and injuries caused as a result of the accident. Failing to do so might strip you from certain rights that you’re entitled to. Your insurance company will look for ways to not pay you, which makes it important that you be careful about what information you share with them. Stick to the basic facts about damages and injuries, and leave the rest to when your attorney talks to your insurance provider. Even if you’re not at fault, they might be able to twist the facts around to give themselves the right to not give you your rights.
Keep All the Bills
Do not get rid of any of the bills from when you got your car fixed or from the hospital. These bills are important evidence of the costs you have paid to fix the damages done because of the accident. When it is time for you to receive compensation, these bills will indicate the minimum amount of settlement you should get anyhow.
You can also use mental trauma, caused as a result of the accident in your favor in order to get higher compensation. It is advisable that you never post anything about the accident on any social media platforms as your insurer might look for any information online that can give them the right to not pay you. Any words spoken about the accident can be used against you to affect your claim, make sure to always seek your attorney’s advice when it comes to what you should and shouldn’t say.
Photo by Zetong Li on Unsplash
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