The Indiana University Public Policy Institute indicates that there were 16,550 collisions involving large trucks in 2016, the most recent year for which data is available. This means that, on average, these kinds of incidents occurred more than 45 times each day. If you ever find yourself the victim of an accident involving a large commercial truck, it is essential that you do everything you can to protect your legal rights. Here are four ways you can make sure you get the compensation you are owed after a serious truck accident.
Collect Information
If you can stay at the scene of the accident (meaning you do not need emergency medical attention), you should gather as much information as you can. Examples of things that you should make note of include any markings that identify the trucking company that owns the truck, the truck drivers name, the vehicle’s DOT number, and any damage to the truck that looks unrelated to the accident. Try and get contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident and take pictures of the aftermath of the accident if possible.
See a Doctor
You should undergo a medical evaluation conducted by a medical professional after an accident. This is true even if you think you’ll be fine and that your injuries will just resolve with time. It is important to your case that you have official medical documentation of your injuries and the fact that they were the result of your accident. Without this type of documentation, the trucking company’s insurer may be able to deny your claim by arguing that you were not actually injured or that your injuries were actually the result of a previous accident.
Do NOT Accept a Settlement Offer from the Insurance Companies
Trucking company insurers are savvy. They know that truck accidents can result in significant legal liability and do everything they can to pay out as little as possible to injured victims. One of the ways they do this is by contacting victims shortly after an accident (and before they can find a lawyer, they hope) so that they can talk them into accepting settlements that are far less than their cases are actually worth. Once a settlement has been accepted, it is nearly impossible to obtain additional compensation.
Contact an Attorney
If you’ve been injured in an accident with a large truck, you should contact a lawyer right away. You can bet that the insurance company has a legal team ready to go—so should you. A lawyer will protect your rights and fight for a settlement that adequately compensates you for your losses. If the insurance company refuses to make a reasonable offer, your lawyer may file a lawsuit on your behalf and represent you in court.
Call Us Today to Speak with an Indianapolis Truck Accident Lawyer
Accidents involving large commercial trucks and smaller passenger vehicles can result in tremendous damage and catastrophic injuries. Fortunately, there is help available. The truck accident attorneys of the Law Office of William W. Hurst are committed to helping victims get the compensation to which they are entitled under Indiana law and will review the facts of your case at no cost to you. To schedule your free case evaluation with one of our lawyers, call our office today at (317) 636-0808 or send us an email through our online contact form.
