Knowing what to do after a truck accident in Virginia is, in many ways, a matter of understanding how to avoid common mistakes after a truck accident that could jeopardize your potential claim. The actions you take in the aftermath can significantly affect both your physical healing process and your ability to seek compensation for your losses. Here are some key truck accident mistakes to avoid.
Not Seeking Immediate Medical Attention After a Truck Accident
The unfortunate truth is that these collisions often cause such severe harm that many truck accident victims literally have no choice but to receive medical attention right away, usually because someone else has called 911 and paramedics have come to the accident scene.
However, in other cases, victims may seem unhurt or feel okay after a truck accident and take this to mean they don’t need to see a doctor. This is a mistake. For starters, some serious and potentially life-threatening injuries don’t show immediate symptoms (such as internal injuries), and delaying care can be a matter of life and death. Additionally, delays in seeking medical attention create a gap between the accident and the paper trail that plays such a key role in a truck accident claim.
Failing to Gather Evidence or Document the Scene
Trucking companies often have substantial financial resources and work with powerful insurance and legal teams that begin gathering evidence and investigating an accident almost immediately. You need to do the same for yourself. If you’re physically able to do so, take pictures and videos of the crash scene, get the names of any eyewitnesses, and share your side of the story with the responding officer.
Speaking to Insurance Companies Without Legal Guidance
No matter how friendly an insurance adjuster may seem on the phone, insurance companies aren’t there to help you if doing so puts their own profits at risk. Insurance adjusters receive training on how to get accident victims to admit fault, brush off the severity of their injuries, or otherwise say things that could be taken out of context and used to discredit their stories and deny their claims. This is especially crucial in a state like Virginia, where any degree of fault attributed to you could result in a total bar on your compensation due to the state’s strict contributory negligence rule.
An experienced Virginia truck accident lawyer can protect you against these tactics. Rather than agreeing to speak with an insurance representative, refer them to your personal injury attorney instead.
Waiting Too Long to Take Legal Action
Along similar lines, waiting too long to secure legal representation and initiate the claims process can make it more challenging to prepare the strongest claim possible and advocate forcefully for your right to justice and compensation. Virginia law gives accident victims a limited amount of time to pursue legal claims in court, and you don’t want to risk running up against tight deadlines. An experienced truck accident attorney can help make sure your claim is prepared and submitted on time – but you need to reach out to them right away.
Contact a Virginia Truck Accident Lawyer to Protect Your Claim
Were you hurt in a collision involving a large commercial truck? A Virginia truck accident lawyer from Kendall Law Firm can help you understand your legal options. We have over 30 years of experience and focus 100 percent of our energy on personal injury cases like yours. Contact us 24/7 to set up a free consultation to discuss your case.
