Truck accidents often tend to cause greater devastation and damage than any other type of auto accident on our roadways. The fact that trucks are larger and heavier than most vehicles means that they have the potential to cause significant damage to any smaller cars they strike, and result in severe if not fatal injuries. If you have been injured in a truck accident, it is important to take the necessary steps and protect your legal rights and best interests.
Here are five steps to take that can help you protect yourself after a truck accident:
1. Be sure to report the accident. Call 911 soon after the collision. Make sure you file a police report. Law enforcement agencies should show up at the scene of the crash. Ensure that your account of how the accident occurred is in the police report. It is also important that you obtain a signed copy of this report for your own records. Your truck accident lawyer can also help you get a copy of the police report, which will typically be available at the police department a few days after the incident. When you file a report, make sure that the date, time and location of the incident is documented. If a police officer assigned fault to the truck driver in the crash, that will certainly work to your advantage when you try to negotiate a settlement with the trucking company’s insurer.
2. Never admit fault. When you are involved in a traumatic situation, you might not be aware of what you are saying because you may be in shock. Saying “I’m sorry” at the scene of the crash might put your claim in jeopardy. In the immediate aftermath of the accident, you have no real way of knowing who was at fault. Sometimes, even if you are deemed partially at fault, the trucking company or another party may bear partial liability for the accident. So, it would be in your best interest not to say anything at the outset when details are fuzzy.
3. Do not speak with or sign anything from insurance claims adjustors. The trucking company’s insurance claims adjustor might contact you at your home or hospital, sometimes even at the scene. Remember that these individuals may not have your best interests at heart. They work for the trucking company or insurance company and their job may be to minimize the value of your claim. So, don’t talk to anyone or sign any documents until you have discussed your case with your truck accident lawyer.
4. See a doctor soon after the accident. Document your injuries and the treatment you received for your injuries. In addition, be sure to preserve evidence at the scene. Collect as much detail as possible from the scene including the truck driver’s information, the trucking company’s name, address and insurance details and contact information for anyone who may have witnessed the accident.
5. Stay away from social media. Do not post any details about your accident online. In fact, we recommend that you stop your social media activity until your truck accident claim is resolved. This is because insurance companies and other parties may cherry-pick photos, posts or videos from your social media accounts that may jeopardize your claim.
Compensation for Victims
Injured victims of these types of accidents can seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost income and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families of deceased victims can also seek compensation by filing what is known as a wrongful death lawsuit.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a negligent driver, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 46 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury and medical malpractice cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
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