Five Mistakes to Avoid After a Truck Accident
After a truck accident you will incur high medical bills to treat your injuries, you may not be able to return to work right away to pay for them, and you will likely suffer from serious pain. If someone else’s negligence caused your crash, you may be able to pursue a civil claim to pursue damages. There are many steps that can protect your claim, but there are also certain actions that can hurt it. Below, our San Antonio truck accident attorney outlines the most common mistakes to avoid.
Failing to Seek Medical Attention
There is little chance that you will come away from a truck accident unscathed. Seeking immediate medical treatment, if not at the scene then immediately afterward, is of critical importance. Failing to seek medical attention may not only cause your injuries to become worse, but it will also not document your injuries making it more difficult to prove that the crash caused the injuries you suffered. Medical records can prove the nature and severity of your injuries, which is a great help when pursuing a claim.
Not Reporting the Crash
All motorists are required to report any crash in Texas that results in injury, death, or significant property damage. Truck accidents are likely to involve one or more of these. If you do not report the accident, you may be in violation of the law. Additionally, it may be challenging if not impossible to obtain a police report afterward. Like medical records, police reports are important pieces of evidence in truck accident claims. They can outline how the crash occurred and even possible liability (who is responsible for causing the crash).
Accepting a Low Settlement Offer
Insurance companies may offer you an early settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries, damages, and medical treatment need. Sometimes the offer is made as soon as a few days after an accident. In most cases, they offer an early settlement hoping you will take it. Once you agree to settle your case (even over the phone), you release your legal claims and you cannot try to obtain any further compensation if it turns out that your injuries are more serious than initially anticipated (which is almost always the case). You should not accept any settlement offer until you have spoken to an attorney and have a clear understanding of the damages you will incur now, and in the future.
Posting to Social Media
It is critical that you do not speak to anyone about your claim while it is pending. This extends to social media but it is also advised that you do not post anything at all on social media. The insurance company will find anything you publish and try to use it against you. For example, if you post a picture of a birthday party you attended before the crash, the insurer will argue that you cannot be hurt because you are socializing and enjoying yourself. If you post a photo of the accident on social media with the caption “I am okay” (meaning I am alive), they will take it out of context and argue that you did not suffer any injuries at all and are now lying about the severity and extent of your injuries.
Not Working with a Truck Accident Attorney in San Antonio
If you do not work with a San Antonio truck accident attorney, it is more likely that mistakes will be made that could negatively impact the damages available. At the Law Office of Israel Garcia, our experienced attorney can guide you through the process to ensure no mistakes are made and it is as easy as possible for you. Call us now at 210-LAW-9999 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
Source:
ecfr.gov/current/title-46/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-5/subpart-B/section-5.29
