Biggest Mistakes to Avoid After a Truck Accident in Raleigh
There are a number of different mistakes that victims of truck accidents frequently make when preparing or presenting their case for civil court. On top of possibly weakening their claim, these missteps can have the potential to bar a truck accident claim from receiving any compensation at all.
An experienced accident lawyer knows the biggest mistakes to avoid after a truck accident in Raleigh. Furthermore, they could help you avoid such mistakes and preserve your claim for compensation, so that you are eligible for the reimbursement you deserve after being injured due to another party’s negligence.
Not Seeking Medical Attention
If an accident victim’s injuries are not severe enough to require an ambulance ride, many victims may fail to seek medical attention altogether, which can be a significantly dangerous problem if they have injuries that are not immediately apparent. It is important to always seek medical attention as soon as possible after a truck accident, since a doctor can examine victims for latent injuries they may not be aware of and can also document their condition at the time of the accident.
Subsequently, if injuries worsen following the accident or the other party claims that the victim’s injuries occurred prior to the truck accident, the victim will have established medical records that vouch for their health status at the time in question.
Interacting with Insurance Companies
Speaking with insurance companies following a truck accident can be tricky, and it is often wise to have an accident attorney advising a victim about what to say—and what not to say—to the insurer. In many cases, the insurance company will try to get the victim to make certain admissions of fault, in an attempt to reduce the monetary value of their claim.
It is not good to ignore the insurance company altogether since some companies and states have established deadlines for when a victim must report the accident and their injuries to the insurer in order to receive compensation.
Accepting Payment or Settlement Offers from the Truck Company or Insurer
Truck companies or their insurer might try to get a victim to sign away their rights by accepting a low initial settlement offer. While it may be tempting to get a check right away, victims risk giving up their right to seek the total amount of compensation to which they are likely entitled. For this reason, it is often a good idea to have an attorney evaluate any settlement offer to avoid further mistakes in truck accident claims in Raleigh.
Making Admissions of Fault
Many people involved in truck accident will apologize for any role they could have played in causing the accident, especially when the other driver or passengers are injured. After all, it is human nature to want to extend sympathy to anyone who is suffering.
Unfortunately, taking responsibility for causing an accident—or even contributing only a minor portion of fault—may end up completely barring a victim from recovering compensation under Raleigh negligence laws. Except for offering necessary help in the form of calling police and paramedics, it is best to say as little as possible at the scene of an accident, especially when speaking to insurance representatives.
Not Calling Police or Preserving Evidence
No matter the severity of a truck accident, it is important to call police to get a record of the accident and exactly what happened. Police investigators can interview witnesses and drivers, create records of their own impressions, and document the scene of the accident.
Likewise, victims involved in the truck accident can also document the crash themselves by taking photographs of the scene, the signage, the road conditions, where the vehicles are placed in the roadway, and any skid-marks on the road or damage to vehicles. This evidence can prove invaluable when attempting to prove liability in civil court.
Consult with a Truck Accident Attorney Today
No matter the specific circumstances that led to your collision with a truck, a skilled Raleigh truck accident lawyer can help you understand the biggest mistakes to avoid after a truck accident in Raleigh.
