Truck accidents can be devastating on a number of levels. From personal injury to emotional pain to vehicle damage, a bad truck accident is liable to turn your entire world upside down. If you’re ever the victim of a truck accident, it’s only natural that you’d want to be made whole. However, depending on the steps you take in the accident’s aftermath, obtaining restitution may prove to be an uphill battle. Truck accident victims looking to receive compensation in a timely and stress-free manner would do well to take the following measures.
Contact the Authorities
Contacting the police is among the first steps you should take in the aftermath of a truck accident. In fact, most states require motorists to alert the police about accidents that involve vehicle damage or personal injury. Furthermore, if you, any of your passengers or anyone else involved in the accident appear to have incurred any injuries, call an ambulance posthaste. Additionally, the sooner your injuries are treated, the sooner a record of said injuries will exist – which will put you in a good position to collect compensation when it comes time to contact your insurance company.
Document Personal Injuries and Vehicle Damage
If you’re able to move without exacerbating your injuries – or causing new injuries – take care to photograph any damage that you and your vehicle have incurred. The sooner said damage is photographed, the clearer the effects of the accident are likely to be for both law enforcement and your insurance company. Photographic evidence can prove tremendously helpful when filing your claim and make it harder for insurers to drag their feet when it comes time to pay out.
Exchange Insurance Information
Exchanging insurance information with the responsible party can make obtaining compensation considerably easier. So, provided you feel safe doing so, approach this individual, provide your insurance info and request that they do the same. If the party in question is rude, uncooperative or outright belligerent, don’t bother trying to appeal to them or engage them in an argument. Instead, simply wait for the police to arrive and request that they obtain the necessary information for you.
Alert Your Insurance Company ASAP
There are numerous reasons to make your insurer aware of the accident posthaste. To start with, the sooner you file a claim, the sooner your insurer can get to work on investigating it. Secondly, waiting an excessively long time to alert your insurer is liable to create the impression that you haven’t been severely impacted by the accident. After all, if the accident truly had an adverse impact on your life, it stands to reason that you would have gotten in touch with them sooner rather than later. With this in mind, make sure to get in touch with your insurance company no more than three days after being involved in a truck accident.
Keep Track of Medical Bills and Auto Repair Estimates
In addition to keeping track of your medical bills, you’ll need to obtain estimates for having your vehicle repaired in a timely manner. This will provide you – and your insurer – with a solid idea of how much the damage will cost to repair – and whether the vehicle is even worth salvaging. Furthermore, if you opt to sue the responsible party, you’ll need these bills to justify the amount you’re seeking in court.
Talk to a Good Lawyer
Even in truck accident cases that appear to be cut-and-dry, collecting compensation can prove immensely difficult. In some cases, this is the result of insurance companies dragging their feet. Other times, this stems from a complete lack of cooperation on the part of the responsible party. So, if you’re having trouble getting what you’re owed, don’t hesitate to reach out to a good attorney. Mile High City residents in the market for a knowledgeable Denver truck accident attorney won’t have to look very far.
In the immediate aftermath of a truck accident, you’re liable to feel confused, frightened and deeply frustrated. After all, your life has just been upended through no fault of your own. Fortunately, obtaining the compensation you’re owed doesn’t have to be a long and arduous undertaking. Taking the steps outlined above can help ensure that you’re made whole and fairly compensated for your troubles.