The Importance of Working with a Truck Accident Attorney Soon After a Crash
After a truck accident, injured individuals may understand that they can file a claim against the negligent, or careless, party that caused the crash. However, too many people try to handle the process of filing a claim on their own. They often believe that working with a San Antonio truck accident attorney is only necessary if their case goes to trial. This is not true.
Time is of the essence after any truck accident. The success of your claim is often determined in the hours and days following the crash. During this time, you may not even be thinking about filing a claim but instead, getting the immediate medical treatment you need for your injuries. Below are just a few of the main reasons it is so critical to obtain legal advice soon after any accident.
Investigate the Accident and Preserve Evidence
Immediately following a crash, the insurance company representing the liable party will start to conduct an investigation. They do this to try and collect evidence showing they are not responsible for paying damages and possibly even to shift the blame to you. While you are in the hospital or otherwise trying to recover, they are collecting evidence against you.
An attorney can conduct their own investigation to collect evidence that can help your case. They may inspect the truck (before it is repaired and it’s too late) and it’s “black box”, send subpoenas for the trucking company’s inspection, maintenance, and employment records, obtain a copy of the police accident report, dash camera videos, body camera videos, and request your medical records that show how your injuries occurred.
Establish Liability
Establishing liability is one of the first steps when filing a personal injury claim, so you know who to hold accountable for paying damages. Even without serious injuries involved, it is very difficult for accident victims to establish liability. Attorneys have a number of resources at their disposal that can help determine who is to blame for your injuries. For example, attorneys can often obtain employment records that show negligent hiring practices of the trucking company or reach out to an accident reconstruction specialist who can determine how the crash occurred.
Review Settlement Offers
In the moments and hours after a truck accident, an insurance adjuster may contact you. They may state that they want to help and do the right thing. They may even make a settlement offer. They are hoping that you are desperate and will be happy to receive anything at all and before you know the true extent of your injuries. Truthfully, initial settlement offers are rarely enough to fully cover the cost of injury. After accepting a settlement, you also cannot go back to the insurance company for additional compensation.
An attorney can review your settlement offer, determine if it is enough to cover your losses, and negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. Again, this is difficult for many healthy people, let alone those who are recovering from serious injuries.
Our Truck Accident Attorney in San Antonio Can Help
A truck accident can dramatically change your life and it is important to contact a San Antonio truck accident attorney as soon as possible afterwards. At the Law Office of Israel Garcia, our experienced attorney can preserve important evidence, determine liability, and negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. Call us today at 210-LAW-9999 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our experienced attorney.
