Being involved in a truck accident can be a life-altering experience. Truck accidents frequently cause severe injuries and property damage. In the immediate aftermath of the accident, you may be confused and traumatized, but following these simple steps will help ensure that you can pursue a fair settlement for damages resulting from the accident.
If you have been injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more. At Mann Law, our experienced truck accident attorneys have the knowledge and skills to help you investigate the accident, determine liability, calculate damages you’re owed, negotiate with the insurer for the at-fault party, and aggressively pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact our attorneys today for a free consultation.
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, there are several steps you should take to protect your rights and ensure you can seek the compensation you need to recover, medically and financially.
Call 911 – Make sure that you call 911 or have someone else call 911 for you. Police will respond to the scene and make an accident report, which you will later need to obtain to pursue compensation. In Maine, you can get a copy of this report online if the police officer doesn’t provide you with a copy.
Take photos at the scene – Before the scene has been altered in any way, take pictures of the scene from a variety of angles. Take close-up pictures of any vehicle damage, injuries you sustained, the truck’s license plate, the driver’s registration, the driver’s insurance card, and the driver’s license. You should also take photos of the street layout, including nearby traffic signals, intersections, and signage.
Seek immediate medical treatment – Describe your injuries to the law enforcement officer on the scene. Even if all you feel is slight discomfort, be sure to let the officer know so they can note it in their report. Afterward, it’s crucial to seek prompt medical treatment as soon as possible. Even if you “feel fine” after the accident, you should be seen by a medical professional right away. You may have sustained injuries you aren’t aware of, such as internal injuries and soft-tissue damage. A physician will be able to detect these injuries before they become life-threatening or result in complications. Insurance companies also generally require that you be seen within 72-hours after an accident if you plan to pursue compensation.
Report the accident – Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as you are able.
If you were in a truck crash, there are several things you should avoid doing after the accident, including:
Don’t admit fault – Even if the accident was not your fault, you might instinctively try to apologize. Do your best not to. Don’t admit fault in any way, even if you think you may have been partly responsible for the accident. Even if it turns out that you are not at fault, if you admit fault or say that you are sorry, this admission of guilt could be used against you later in court.
Remain calm – Being involved in a truck accident can be traumatizing and confusing. Truck accidents often cause severe injuries and extensive property damage. Despite the unsettling nature of the accident, it’s essential to keep your cool and remain calm. If you behave irrationally, law enforcement may note this in their report. It could put a dent in your credibility as well, which could later hurt your case.
Don’t sign anything – It’s important to remember that insurance companies are for-profit entities. They are loyal to their shareholders, not you. When an insurance adjuster calls you, they will use various tactics to try and reduce the amount of money they must pay out. Their goal is to pay as little as possible. One of the tactics they regularly use is offering you a settlement in exchange for signing a “release.” If you have a solid case, an insurance adjuster may make you an offer right off the bat, and it might even seem generous, but you can be sure that it’s not nearly as much as you deserve. By getting you to sign a release, you are essentially accepting the settlement and forfeiting your right to pursue further legal action against the insurance company. This could mean that down the road, if the settlement doesn’t fully cover your expenses, you could end up paying out of pocket. Never sign a release without first consulting with an experienced truck accident attorney. An attorney can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, improving your chances of getting the settlement you deserve.
Contact one of our seasoned Maine truck accident attorneys at Mann Law today to discuss your case if you have further questions about what to do and what not to do after a truck accident.
Some of the most common types and causes of truck accidents that occur on the roads and highways in Maine include:
Jackknife Accidents
Underride Accidents
Driver Fatigue
Rollover Accidents
Drunk/Drugged Driving
Driver Error/Inexperience
Employer Negligence
Hours of Service Violations
Speeding Accidents
Reckless/Aggressive Driving
Inclement Weather/Unsafe Driving Conditions
If you were involved in a truck accident, it is essential to contact an attorney right away. Truck accidents are challenging to investigate for numerous reasons, but one of the main reasons is because there may be multiple at-fault parties. For instance, although the truck driver is usually at least partially at-fault, the truck company could be held partly responsible if they failed to maintain the truck properly or didn’t provide the driver with adequate training. Other entities, including parts manufacturers, cargo loaders, the truck’s owner, and maintenance companies, could potentially be liable.
Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the accident on your behalf and identify all possible sources of compensation. Contact our Maine truck accident attorneys at Mann Law today for a free case evaluation.
