A Complete Guide to Truck Accident Financial Compensation
Commercial truck accidents can cause devastating injuries, leaving you with broken bones, amputations, or debilitating injuries that leave you unable to work the jobs you were once able to. Such accidents may require expensive and lengthy medical care, leaving many victims thinking they won’t be able to afford an attorney.
However, most truck accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they won’t get paid until you receive a settlement or win your case. So regardless of the circumstances, it’s usually in your best interest to hire a lawyer to receive the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
What else should you be aware of if you plan to file a truck accident claim? Below, we’ve listed a few of the most important points to help you maximize your claim.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
Some of the most critical steps occur directly after your trucking accident happens. First and foremost, treat any immediate injuries and call the authorities. If you are not severely injured, try to photograph the scene as much as possible, including skid marks, vehicle damage, injury photos, and anything else that might be useful information later on. Next, record your memory of the incident— the more time that passes, the more likely your account details will lose accuracy. If possible, record any witness accounts of the incident as well, making sure to jot down their contact information.
Finally, even if you suffered minor injuries, always seek medical treatment. Sometimes injuries don’t show up until later on. Worse yet, the defense might question your memory of your injuries. Having documentation from a medical expert that establishes the nature and existence of your injuries is critical to preserving both your health and your case.
What Should I Tell My Insurance Company?
Eventually, you will need to speak with your insurance company to inform them about the trucking accident. It’s important to understand that whatever you discuss with your insurance company can, and likely will, be used in court proceedings, so it’s in your best interest to consult with an attorney first.
If the defendant’s insurance company contacts you, then do not make a statement to them. Whatever you say to them will be used to weaken your case or reduce your settlement amount, so either hang up the phone or tell them that they can speak with your attorney.
How Does Truck Accident Compensation Work?
When you file a claim against the at-fault party, you are essentially asking their insurance company to cover the cost of your damages. Your damages include things such as:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and Suffering
- Vehicle repairs
While it’s pretty simple to add up the cost of economic damages like medical bills and car repair costs, non-economic damages like pain and suffering can be a bit trickier to add a numerical value to. However, an experienced truck accident attorney can help you calculate the compensation you deserve and account for non-tangible things such as pain and suffering.
How Do I Select a Truck Accident Attorney?
It’s crucial to select an attorney whom you can trust and feel confident confiding in. You may start your search by looking for references from friends, family, and acquaintances who have worked with truck accident attorneys before. Try searching online for reviews or references from your state’s bar association.
You want to find an attorney with extensive experience dealing with truck accidents who understands the intricacies of dealing with truck insurance companies. Schedule a free consultation with a few different attorneys, as not all lawyers may be able or willing to accept your case.
How Long Do I Have to File My Trucking Accident Claim?
This depends on the state where your accident occurred. For most states, the statute of limitation is 2 or 3 years; in other states, you may have as long as 5 to 6 years. The statute of limitations sets a time limit for how long you have to file a claim after your accident. In South Carolina, the time limit to file a claim is 3 years.
However, It’s important to check with an experienced personal injury lawyer to ensure you file your personal injury suit within the necessary timeframe.
Conclusion
The effects of a truck accident can have long-term consequences for those involved. Navigating the process of seeking fair compensation from the at-fault party can feel overwhelming and discouraging at times, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
If you have been the victim of a commercial trucking accident, hiring an experienced truck accident attorney will help guide you through the legal process. A skilled lawyer will fight to get you the financial compensation you’re entitled to and ensure that scrupulous insurance adjusters don’t take advantage of you.
