3 Steps To Take After A Trucking Accident
If you've been in a car accident involving a commercial truck, you are likely dealing with healing from your injuries. However, there are many things you must do after a collision to ensure you get the settlement you deserve to help pay for your medical bills, lost income, and other necessary costs. Check out these three steps to take after a trucking accident.
Contact Your Insurance
Once the accident is over, and you have a moment to breathe, you need to contact your insurance carrier. Even if the accident wasn't your fault or you feel it was minor, your insurance carrier needs to know as soon as possible. In fact, if you fail to report the accident to your insurance soon enough, they may drop you as a customer. When speaking to your insurance company, make sure you are honest about everything that happened. It's also not a bad idea to file a police report, especially if your injuries are moderate to severe. That way, the entire incident is documented, creating proof you can use in court.
See Your Doctor
You may have left the accident in an ambulance for the ER. However, whether you feel injured or not, you need to see your doctor. Your doctor is the best person to decide if you are injured and how extensive your injuries are. This could be the difference between getting a settlement to cover a few medical bills or a big settlement to cover pain and suffering. Your doctor will likely come up with a treatment plan to help reduce your pain and regain any lost mobility. It's important you follow through with this plan. Failure to do so could result in no settlement or a greatly reduced settlement because you have a responsibility to seek treatment.
Get an Attorney
It's fine to talk to your insurance carrier, but don't speak to the trucking company's insurance carrier unless you must. If you do, make sure to say little. If possible, get yourself a truck accident attorney immediately after the accident who can talk with the insurance carrier for you. Your attorney is the best suited to negotiate a bigger settlement that includes money for long-term injuries, if needed. Your attorney will also provide you with valuable information to ensure you get the best settlement possible, including preparing you for deposition.
After a car accident, you need to seek treatment, but you also need to focus on getting the settlement you deserve, so you can afford your medical bills. Instead of juggling everything on your own, get an attorney to handle the work while you focus on healing. For more information regarding trucking accidents, contact an attorney in your area today.
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