If you’ve been injured in a collision caused by a truck driver, you could be entitled to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more. However, even if the truck driver is 100% to blame for the accident, you could still be denied the damages you’re owed.
The Ponca City ruck accident lawyers at BDIW Law hate seeing accident victims get cheated out of the compensation they deserve. That’s why we’re committed to educating truck crash victims on how to protect their rights after a truck accident. Let’s learn more about the steps you should take after a semi-truck crash to improve your chances of receiving compensation.
Seek Medical Treatment Immediately
Getting checked out by a physician after a truck accident can protect your health and your right to compensation. That’s because insurance companies are much more likely to reject claims from accident victims who didn’t seek medical care after their collisions.
If an insurer finds out that you didn’t go to a doctor within the hours or days following a crash, they’ll suspect that your injuries aren’t as severe as you say they are or that they resulted from an entirely different incident.
To convince insurance adjusters that your claim is legitimate and ensure your right to compensation is protected, seek medical treatment immediately after a truck accident.
Our Team Is Here To Assist You Every Step Of The Way.
SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYFile a Police Report
Whether your attorney advises you to file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit, having an official collision report can add credibility to your case. To make sure the police file a collision report, contact the local authorities immediately after your collision.
The police will respond to the scene and ask you and the other driver(s) involved to give statements. When giving your statement, briefly describe what happened, and don’t say anything that could be used against your claim.
A truck accident lawyer can use the official police report as evidence to support your claim and protect your right to fair compensation.
Collect Evidence at the Accident Scene
While an attorney can conduct an investigation into the collision you were involved in, you may also want to collect evidence while the accident scene is still fresh. For example, you can use your smartphone to take pictures of your injuries, vehicle damage, the truck, and the whole crash scene.
If anyone was nearby when the collision happened, you could talk to them and ask them what they saw or heard. If they give a detailed description of the crash, ask them if they would be interested in providing testimony for your case. Statements from an eyewitness can be used to strengthen your truck accident claim and protect your legal right to damages.
Document Your Losses and Challenges
Keeping a record of the financial losses and emotional challenges you experience after a truck accident can also help you protect your right to compensation. Make sure to take the following steps to document the setbacks and hardships caused by the collision:
- Keep your medical bills and records.
- Hold onto vehicle repair bills.
- Gather a copy of your most recent pay stub to collect compensation for lost wages.
- Keep a journal that documents the pain and emotional distress you experience.
- Save records from counseling and psychotherapy sessions you attend.
Once you’ve hired a truck accident lawyer, you’ll want to hand over the above-mentioned journals and records. They can use the documents you provide to prove that you deserve compensation for the negative impacts that the crash has made on your life.
Don’t Speak to Insurers Without a Lawyer
In the days following your truck accident, you’ll probably get a call from the at-fault party’s insurance company asking for a statement. It’s important that you refuse to talk to the insurer unless you have a lawyer by your side. In fact, it’s usually best to let an experienced attorney handle communications with the provider.
The insurer may also contact you to offer an early settlement. This is a common method all auto insurance providers use to trick accident victims into agreeing to a lowball offer. Don’t be fooled by dishonest insurance tactics! Instead, hire a skilled lawyer.
A knowledgeable attorney can look over settlement offers and negotiate a better offer. In addition, your truck accident attorney can handle all interactions with the insurance provider and make sure your right to a fair settlement is protected.
Learn About the Filing Deadline for Truck Accident Lawsuits
Many truck crash victims lose their right to compensation because they fail to get their lawsuits filed in time. In Oklahoma, there’s a deadline for all personal injury suits, including those filed after truck wrecks.
According to the statute of limitations, which you can learn more about in Oklahoma Statute §12-95, you have two years from the date of your collision to file a lawsuit. Submitting a suit any later than two years after the crash could jeopardize your right to compensation.
A skilled lawyer can answer any questions about the statute and help you file your suit on time. If it’s been several years since your crash and you still haven’t spoken to a lawyer, you should still seek legal counsel. There may be an exception to the statute that an attorney can use to get you compensated.
Hire an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney
Hiring a truck accident lawyer is one of the best ways to protect your rights after a crash. An attorney can offer invaluable advice and representation geared toward obtaining the highest amount of compensation possible for your losses.
They’ll collect evidence, negotiate with insurers, and make sure your case complies with all relevant statutes. If your case goes to court, they’ll present the facts of your semi-truck crash case and may even call on eyewitnesses to share what they saw.
The Team at Bdiw Law Is Here to Help You Pursue Justice
At BDIW Law, we have over 65 years of combined experience protecting the rights of truck accident victims. We know what needs to be done to satisfy insurers, build your claim, and obtain a high-value settlement for the financial losses and emotional hardships you’ve been burdened with.
To get started on your case, contact our firm today. We’ll schedule a consultation at a time and place that works for you. If your injuries are debilitating, we can even meet to discuss your case in the comfort of your own home. If we agree to work with you, we’ll fight for the damages you need to recuperate from the accident.
