After suffering catastrophic injuries in a commercial truck accident, you may be anxious to ensure the liable parties are held accountable. Filing insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits may be necessary if you hope to maximize your payout. Unfortunately, many truck accident victims make mistakes that have adverse consequences on the outcome of their claims.
Working with a knowledgeable and experienced Oklahoma truck accident attorney may be the best way to protect yourself and your anticipated settlement. With BDIW Law on your side, you can devote all of your energy and resources towards healing while we handle the legalities of your case. Avoiding the following common mistakes that can hurt your truck accident claim is essential if you hope to get the most out of your personal injury lawsuit and insurance claims.
Do Not Make These Mistakes with Your Truck Accident Claim
When injury victims try to take on their truck accident claims alone, they often make mistakes. While recuperating, and without any legal training or experience, it may not be in your best interests to try to go at your claim without a powerful legal advocate by your side. Here are some of the biggest mistakes our clients have made before they turned to a motor vehicle accident attorney at BDIW Law for legal support:
Our Team Is Here To Assist You Every Step Of The Way.
SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYExpressing or Admitting Fault
Immediately after an accident, it is normal to be emotional. Many people will express guilt or admit fault without fully comprehending how the accident occurred. This can be devastating for injury victims when the defense later attempts to use these expressions against them.
Oklahoma follows modified comparative fault laws. When you share the blame, you can only move forward with your case if your percentage of liability does not exceed the 50% bar. If you are 50% or more at fault for the truck accident the court system will prevent you from moving forward with your claim.
Admitting fault or expressing guilt for the accident could result in unfounded shared blame allegations. If the defense is successful, your settlement could be reduced or you could lose your right to compensation for your damages. Thankfully, your personal injury lawyer will be able to protect you from these tactics.
Posting About the Accident on Social Media
Never post about the truck accident or your injuries on social media. Many people use social media platforms to share their daily lives but keep all information about the accident offline. Anything you say could be used against you by the at-fault party.
For example, let’s say you posted a photo of yourself poolside after filing a claim requesting compensation for catastrophic injuries. The defense could save those photos and argue that you are embellishing the extent of your injuries. Instead, protect your right to compensation and do not say anything to anyone about the accident until your case has been resolved.
Speaking with the Insurance Company without Your Lawyer
Insurance companies do not prioritize their claimant’s needs. Unfortunately, far too many insurance companies put their financial interests first. Despite advertising themselves as being like good neighbors or on your side, this could not be further from the truth.
Do not make the mistake of speaking to the insurance adjuster without your lawyer present. Do not accept a settlement offer from the insurance company without reviewing it with your attorney first. The last thing you want is to accept a settlement only to later discover that your claim was worth far more.
Anything the insurance company needs to know about the accident can be obtained from your truck accident attorney. When your lawyer handles the communication exchanges with the insurer, you do not need to worry about being taken advantage of. With your legal advocate negotiating on your behalf, you can show the insurance company you are taking your claim seriously and will not settle for less than you deserve.
Waiting to File Your Truck Accident Claim
You do not have an unlimited amount of time to file your truck accident claim. One of the biggest mistakes our former clients have made is waiting to file a lawsuit or claim with the insurance company. In both cases, you must file your claim before the deadline expires.
Oklahoma personal injury statute of limitations laws are strict and only give injury victims up to two years after the accident to file suit. Insurance companies set their own claim deadlines and can be unscrupulous in requiring claimants to file claims within as few as 48 hours. Do not risk your right to compensation by waiting to get started, even if pursuing your claim is the furthest thing from your mind at this time.
Certain circumstances may warrant the tolling of the deadline in your case, which would extend the amount of time you have to file your lawsuit. These deadlines can be temporarily paused for minors until they reach the age of 18 and injury victims who discover their injuries after the accident. You can find out how much longer you have to file your claim by discussing the specifics of your case with your truck accident attorney.
Relying on an Insurance Claim Alone
Do not blindly accept an insurance offer and consider the claims process done and over with. You have the right to be fully repaid for your damages. An insurance settlement may not cover your losses in full, so be prepared to bring your case to court if you hope to maximize your payout.
Connect with Our Reputable Oklahoma Truck Accident Law Firm Today
Everyone makes mistakes. However, when you are dealing with debilitating injuries after a commercial truck accident, there is no room for error. You need a highly qualified Oklahoma truck accident attorney by your side who will avoid the previously mentioned mistakes and maximize your financial compensation.
At BDIW Law, our team is prepared to put our decades of legal experience and knowledge to work for you. We are ready to build a powerful claim against the liable party and challenge the liable party’s defense. Contact our personal injury team to request a confidential and free consultation as soon as today by calling our office or filling out our quick contact form.
