How to Strengthen Your Truck Accident Claim

If you were seriously hurt in a large truck crash, you may seek compensation for the associated damages from all responsible parties. Just because you have grounds for a claim, however, doesn’t mean you’re automatically entitled to a payout.

Legal proceedings are inherently unpredictable, and there’s no way to guarantee any given claim will yield a satisfactory settlement or favorable verdict. There are steps you can take, though, to increase your chances of securing the funds needed to make your life whole again.

Let’s take a look at some of the most effective ways to contribute to your truck accident claim:

1. Visit a Doctor Right Away

If you suffer complications because you failed to seek prompt medical care, you could be deemed partially liable for the damages you incur. Since impact injuries don’t always manifest immediate symptoms, it’s essential that you visit a doctor as soon as possible, even if you feel relatively fine. And once you do seek care, it’s important to follow all medical advice. This will demonstrate a continued commitment to mitigating damages. 

2. Preserve Pertinent Documents

Over the course of the proceedings, you’ll need to present all kinds of documentation to prove both liability and damages. As you acquire critical documents, give them to your legal team to preserve. Examples include:

• Hospital bills;
• Diagnostic images;
• Medical records;
• Receipts and invoices for injury-related expenses;
• The official police report;
• Journal entries;
• Statements from eyewitnesses;
• Photographs of the wreckage; and
• Correspondence from the opposing party. 

3. Stay off Social Media

The insurance adjuster will likely monitor your online activity in an attempt to find reason to challenge your claim. Therefore, it’s wise to stay off social media until your case has been resolved.

If temporarily disabling your accounts is not an option, you can at least reduce the chances of jeopardizing your claim by:

• Adjusting your privacy settings so only approved connections can see what you post;
• Filtering all new requests and declining those from people whom you don’t recognize;
• Not posting about the accident, your injuries, your expenditures, or your social life;
• Not checking in to public places; and
• Asking friends and loved ones to avoid tagging you in their own posts. 

4. Seek Legal Counsel

A seasoned truck accident lawyer will have the knowledge, resources, and experience to help you put together the strongest claim possible. Your legal team will also keep you from making critical mistakes along the way, like giving a premature recorded statement, accepting some degree of blame, or concluding negotiations prior to reaching maximum medical improvement. 

Call (727) 821-1500 to Speak with a Truck Accident Attorney

At Emerson Straw, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that unanticipated injuries can take on the whole family. If you were hurt in a large truck crash, we’ll help you pursue the compensation needed to put your life back together.

By letting us handle the logistics of your claim, you can focus on making a full recovery while taking care of your family. Call (727) 821-1500 or fill out our Contact Form to schedule a free consultation with a truck accident lawyer.