What To Do After a Tractor Trailer Accident
Most drivers know how it is to share the road with tractor trailers since they seem to be all around us as we drive. The problem is that most people are so used to this that they do not fully understand how dangerous tractor trailer accidents can be.
The main reason why it is always recommended to work with a tractor trailer accident attorney after being involved in a collision with a truck of any kind is that damages can be catastrophic and injuries are often very serious. Also, fatalities are much more common than we would like to admit in collisions between tractor trailers and regular passenger vehicles.
While you are entitled to receive financial compensation for what happened, what you do after the tractor trailer accident will impact the impact of the case.
Everything starts with understanding exactly what damages you are entitled to. Under the law, you can receive compensation for:
- Grief
- Past medical costs
- Pain, suffering
- Inconvenience
- Future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Funeral expenses
- Economic opportunity losses
Remember that after the crash, insurance companies will start to contact you very fast. Sometimes, this is actually just one day after the car crash. The reason for this is to obtain recorded statements about the accident and injuries.
It is very important that before you discuss anything with a representative of the insurance company you get in touch with an experienced truck accident attorney. This will help you to:
- Recover all damages.
- Pursue underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage.
- Obtain fair settlements.
- Collect all the evidence you need to file a very strong claim.
If the accident involves a tractor trailer, you have to work with attorneys that have the experience and skill needed to guarantee fair compensation. It is quite important to understand the fact that insurance companies and trucking companies only care about their best interests. They will try to get in touch with you to get evidence that will make your claim worse. The goal of the parties at fault is always to pay you less than you should receive.
It is rarely in your best interests to give a statement so fast after the truck accident. Keep in mind that you do not have the legal obligation to offer the recorded statement the insurance companies demand. The only case in which you should do this is when you are represented by a truck accident attorney that will talk for you during the meeting.
People will tell you that after the truck accident you have to contact the authorities and gather as much evidence as possible. This is definitely correct, but the harsh reality of the situation is that there is a very low possibility you will be able to do all of these things. After a serious truck accident, the only priority you should have been your health. You need to recover from your injuries. At the same time, it will be your truck accident attorney that will take care of the legal part of the equation, including negotiations and going to court.