What you do in the days following a truck accident can determine whether or not you receive compensation for your medical bills, pain, and other setbacks. While seeking medical care is one of the most important things you can do, it’s also crucial that you hire an attorney.
A Ponca City truck accident attorney can ensure your accident claim or lawsuit is filed properly and advise you on what you should do to increase your chances of receiving compensation. That said, there are several other steps you can take that will likely help your case.
Avoid Talking to Insurers or Accepting Offers
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you can expect insurers to contact you in the days following the crash. This is a common practice for insurance providers who want to discredit your injuries and dispute your claim.
Once the insurer gets you on the phone, they’ll likely ask for a statement and try to get you to admit fault or say something that can be used to deny your claim. They may also present you with an early settlement offer, hoping you’ll jump at the opportunity for a quick payout.
Be warned, early settlement offers are usually lowball offers. We recommend having an attorney look over any offers you get. They can determine if the offer is high enough and negotiate a better one if it’s too low. To combat lowball offers and dishonest insurance tactics, it’s best to avoid talking to insurers altogether. An attorney can deal with them for you.
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SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYKeep Track of Your Accident-Related Costs and Challenges
If a lawyer advises you to file a claim or lawsuit after your truck collision, you should keep track of your expenses and other setbacks in the days following the accident. Keeping records of your losses can ensure you have the proof you need to receive fair compensation.
Make sure to keep the following records after a truck crash:
- Your medical bills and records
- Vehicle repair bills
- Prescription medication receipts
- A journal of the pain and emotional distress you’ve experienced
- Any other documents you think might help your case
An attorney can use these records to bolster your claim and get you the damages you need to cover medical expenses and cope with the other effects of the crash. If your injuries have caused you to call out of work, you may also qualify to receive money for lost wages.
If that’s the case, you’ll want to find or ask your employer for an old pay stub showing how much money you currently earn weekly or bi-weekly. Your attorney can use this to recover the correct amount of compensation for your income losses.
Prioritize Your Health
You must attend all your scheduled medical appointments and follow your doctor’s recommendations in the days and weeks following a truck accident. Not only is prioritizing your health critical for your safety and well-being, but it’s also good for your claim.
For example, if the insurance company finds out you haven’t received the medical treatment you need to manage your condition, they might argue that you’ve fabricated your injuries and your claim is fraudulent.
What to Do Immediately After a Truck Crash
While knowing what to do in the days after a truck collision is extremely helpful, learning about what to do immediately after a crash can also help your case. So make sure to take the following steps after a truck accident:
Call the Police
If you’ve been in a truck accident, you should call the police immediately after it. They’ll be able to facilitate the exchange of insurance information between you and the truck driver if the at-fault motorist hesitates to provide you with the necessary insurance details.
A law enforcement officer can also write an official accident report describing the basic details of the crash. This report can be used to strengthen your claim or lawsuit. If the officer asks you for a statement, make sure you stick to the facts and don’t admit fault.
Speak With the Driver
The next step is to speak with the truck driver. First, make sure your vehicle isn’t directly in traffic, and you’re in a safe area. Then, go over to speak to the driver. Remember, don’t apologize or say anything that could be interpreted as an admission of fault.
Simply ask for their insurance and contact details and give them your information too. Once the transaction is complete, hold onto their information, as it will help your attorney during the claims process.
Document the Crash
Immediately following a truck accident, taking photos and videos of the crash scene can also be helpful. Make sure to document vehicle damage, your injuries, and the entire accident scene. The evidence you collect could make the difference between a denied claim and a fair settlement.
Find Potential Eyewitnesses
Next, talk to anyone nearby who may have seen the crash occur. Ask them what they saw and heard and find out if they’d be willing to be an eyewitness for your case. Take down their name(s) and contact information. Your attorney can use their testimony to prove how the crash occurred and show that you deserve a fair payment.
Get Medical Treatment
As mentioned before, getting the medical treatment you need right after an accident is incredibly important. In many cases, accident victims won’t feel pain due to the adrenaline rush and shock, leaving them with undiagnosed injuries that develop into bigger medical problems.
To defend against more serious outcomes and get the medical treatment you need to protect your health, make sure to get treated right after your accident. If your injuries are severe, we encourage you to skip the steps listed above and get to the hospital ASAP.
Hire an Attorney ASAP
Once you’ve completed these post-accident steps, you should hire an attorney as soon as possible. Finding a lawyer in the days following your truck accident is a must because Oklahoma has a statute of limitations for auto accident lawsuits.
Oklahoma Statute §12-95 gives you two years from the day of your accident to submit a civil suit. If you don’t hire an attorney soon after your crash, you could miss the filing deadline and go uncompensated for the medical bills, lost income, and pain you’ve had to deal with.
A skilled truck accident attorney can ensure your suit is prepared and filed in accordance with state law. That way, you’ll have an excellent chance at receiving the financial compensation you deserve.
We Can Help You Seek Damages Following a Truck Accident
Knowing what to do in the days following a truck accident can help you recover damages, but the best strategy is to hire a seasoned truck accident attorney. The lawyers at BDIW Law have more than six decades of combined experience handling truck crash cases.
Contact our firm today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. During your consultation, we’ll discuss your losses, review your legal options, and let you know if we can help you pursue justice. We look forward to hearing from you and representing your best interests.
