Being involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler or other oversized vehicle can be terrifying. These types of vehicles can cause much more harm than smaller vehicles, and if you get into a crash with one while you’re in a smaller vehicle, you may suffer injuries or have your car totaled.
If you do find yourself in an accident with a truck, you need to be sure to follow some specific steps to file a truck accident claim in order to receive compensation for any injuries or other losses you suffered as a result.
In his article, “How to File a Truck Accident Claim in Georgia,” attorney Howard Spiva goes through the steps that people should take after getting into an accident with a truck.
First, you’ll want to seek medical care right away. In order to file a claim, you will need evidence that your injury was caused by the accident. If you don’t get medical records of your injury, it will be hard to provide this evidence. Get medical care as soon as you can after the accident and keep copies of all of your medical records.
The next thing you’ll need to do after a truck accident is report the crash to law enforcement by calling 9-1-1. The police officers who come to the scene of the crash will document it, and you should ask for a copy of their report.
The third step you should take is to document the crash scene yourself as much as you can. Take photos of everything. Record any eyewitness accounts on your phone and get the contact information of any eyewitnesses. You’ll also want to get the name and insurance information of the driver of the truck.
The fourth step you should take is to contact your insurance company and report the accident. Answer any questions truthfully to the best of your ability. Do not admit blame if you know you were not at fault.
As the Myrtle Beach SC car accident injury attorneys at Jebaily Law explain, you need to be careful when you respond to insurance adjusters and when you are offered settlements. You will likely be offered a settlement soon after the crash if you were not at fault, but don’t accept it without having an attorney look over it. Often, insurance companies will move quickly to get you to accept a claim that is less than you deserve. Many of these offered settlements aren’t even enough to cover medical bills.
Lastly, if someone you love was killed in a truck crash, then you will want to speak to an attorney who specializes in wrongful death cases. As Benjamin Sansone, a wrongful death attorney in St. Louis MO explains, wrongful death settlements are often unfairly denied or underpaid, because it is hard for people to take on a legal battle while grieving the loss of a loved one. This is why it is important to consult an attorney to take on the stress of the legal battle for you.
If your claim is denied after a truck accident, then you should definitely contact a personal injury lawyer. Most personal injury attorneys will offer a free case evaluation, so you have nothing to lose.