Large truck crashes are almost always devastating for the passenger vehicle occupants. Smaller cars are simply no match for big rigs in forceful impacts.
If your life was derailed by a truck accident, you may be thinking about filing a personal injury claim. While there’s no guarantee that your claim will be successful, there are steps you can take—and missteps you can make sure to avoid—to give it the best chance of yielding a payout.
Let’s take a look at some of the most important “dos and don’ts” to keep in mind when building your case:
1. Do Prioritize Your Health
There’s always so much to do in the wake of a wreck, but your health should remain your priority. If you’re not taken to the hospital via ambulance immediately following the crash, make sure to visit a doctor as soon as possible after you leave the scene.
In addition to ensuring the prompt treatment of any injuries, thereby preventing complications, seeking care right away will start a paper trail that makes it easier to link your condition to the accident. It will also show that you were committed to mitigating damages from the start.
2. Don’t Reveal Too Much on Social Media
The insurance adjuster will undoubtedly try to monitor your activity online in the hopes of finding cause to challenge your credibility. Since there’s no way to stop them from spinning the content that you post and ultimately using it against you, it’s wise to lay low on social media in general until your claim has been resolved.
3. Do Document the Associated Damages
You’re going to have to prove that you actually incurred the damages for which you’re seeking compensation, so make sure to log them diligently. That means saving all the receipts and invoices for expenses you wouldn’t have incurred had the crash not happened.
You should also start writing in a journal. Daily entries about the struggles you face as a result of your injuries will serve as proof of non-monetary losses like pain and suffering.
4. Don’t Accept a Premature Payout
It may be tempting to accept the insurance adjuster’s first offer, especially if the damages are adding up fast. If you have yet to reach maximum medical improvement, however, doing so could mean leaving money on the table. At the end of the day, there’s no way to be sure of the extent of the damages until your recovery is complete.
Call 855-585-2969 for a Free Consultation with a New York Truck Accident Attorney
At Leitner Varughese, we know how devastating truck accident injuries can be. If you were seriously hurt in a collision through no fault of your own, we’ll help you take the steps needed to hold the liable parties accountable.
We counsel clients in New York City, Long Island, and throughout the rest of the state. To schedule a free initial consultation with a truck accident lawyer in New York, submit our Contact Form or call 855-585-2969.
