Injured in a Truck Accident – What to Do to Get Paid for the Damages
March 21, 2023Truck accidents cause serious damage to property. Also, these accidents cause serious injuries ranging from broken bones to brain injuries, and even lead to death. The injuries need specialized treatments for one to recover fully. In addition to that, it can take months or even years for you to go back to work after a truck accident. Therefore, you need compensation for medical costs, lost income, pain, and (or) even loss of earning ability, if you can’t work anymore. For you to get paid for all the damages, here is what you need to do.
Inform the police
If you are involved in a truck accident, and you are not seriously injured, you should call the police to report the accident. Don’t move anything. The police will come and start their investigations. After police do what they need to do, they will tell you what to do next. In most cases they will call a break down to take the truck and cars involved to the station for more investigations if you can’t agree. Just follow their instructions.
Seriously injured? seek treatment
If you are seriously injured in a truck accident, you should be taken to the nearest medical facility for treatment. Truck accidents can cause internal injuries, broken bones, brain injury, among other serious injuries. Therefore, you should seek treatment immediately and have doctor’s report, bill and even receipts – if you cleared the medical bills. You will need these documents to support your claim. Note that when you delay to seek treatment, that can affect your case negatively.
Collect information and evidence to help you win the case
In most cases, you should no trust the police to do all the work. You are the one injured, and you should take that seriously if you want to get paid for the damages. If you can, collect information about the truck number plates, insurance company, driver’s name and contact information, among other essential information that can help you. Also, gather evidence in form of videos and photographs. Besides that, have contact information of witnesses willing to help you get compensation. Keep the information and evidence safe, you will need it to proof that you were a victim of another driver’s negligence or mistake.
Talk less or keep your mouth shut!
There are many DONTS after getting involved in a truck accident. One of the DONTS is talking too much about the accident. Only talk to the police. If need be, inform the truck driver’s insurance company about the accident and say no more. As a result, you will not share information that can be used against you in the claim process.
Hire a professional truck accident attorney
This is not an easy case; you need legal help. Hire an experienced truck accident attorney who can help you in the investigations, collecting medical records, filing a claim and representing you in the negotiations or in court. A good lawyer won’t rest until you get paid for all the damages caused by the truck accident. At The Law Center Florida, you can find the best law firms, like The Russo Firm, with experienced attorneys ready to assist you.