Most people don’t think of what they would do if they were ever in a car accident, much less a major truck accident. If you doubt what steps you should take if you were in an accident involving a truck, you need a professional to guide you.
In this case, you need a professional truck accident lawyer to offer you advice. For example, any experienced truck accident attorney will warn you against delaying your claim. This is because there is a statute of limitation set by the states on when such cases can be heard.
In this article, we will discuss some of the common mistakes made following a truck accident.
Common Mistakes People Make After a Truck Accident
1. Not Contacting the Police
Most people assume that they will get in trouble with the law if the police are present at the accident scene. The police are there to do their job, including recording the details of the accidents, using their expertise to determine fault, and, when need be, arresting those who have committed a crime. Police reports are valuable to you if you want to file for compensation because they contain all the crucial information you will need to prove your case.
Even if you get slapped with a traffic ticket, you should contact the police immediately. If you don’t and decide to file for compensation, the judge and jury might wonder if you were afraid of an investigation. This could hurt your case and even result in you missing out on compensation altogether.
2. Saying Too Much to the Insurance Company
Most insurance companies insist that they be notified immediately if their policyholder is involved in an accident. This is vital, especially if you were not at fault, but you have to watch what you say to insurance adjusters. You might not be thinking straight after the traumatic experience, hence the need to have a lawyer talk to the insurance company on your behalf.
If you know you are guilty, avoid admitting that the accident you are at fault for without consulting your legal representative. You don’t want to say anything that will impact your case negatively in the long run. Confessions also tend to encourage your insurance company to raise your insurance premiums.
3. Not Seeing a Doctor Immediately
There is so much procedure that follows a truck accident that requires your attention. However, this is not an excuse not to see a doctor immediately, especially if you think you came out of the ordeal unscathed. You are not a doctor and might not fully understand the full extent of your injuries.
A doctor will have to examine you to rule out internal injuries, bleeds, and traumas. After treating you for any injuries you might have sustained, he will write an extensive report that you can use to sue for compensation.
4. Failing to Gather Relevant Evidence
This mistake can cost you so much because your whole compensation claim will rely on evidence. As explained, you can collect the evidence yourself, or you can leave that work for your semi truck accident attorney. Ensure that there are photographs of the accident, witness statements and contact information, police reports, medical reports, and any other important detail that you might need.
Why You Need a Lawyer to Avoid These Grave Mistakes
You are not an expert, and even if you are, you might not be fit enough to go through these procedures on your own. Having a truck accident lawyer on your side can be highly beneficial because they will represent your interests throughout the process. They will alleviate the stress you would otherwise endure if you had to do everything by yourself.