Getting compensation after a truck accident is essential for many victims. Big trucks outweigh even the biggest SUVs and pickup trucks by almost 20 to one, and when they collide with them, the consequences can be devastating and even deadly for occupants of the passenger vehicles.
Sadly, getting compensation for a truck accident isn’t guaranteed. Truck companies and their insurers fight tooth and nail to deny claims or pay as little as possible. And to make matters worse, victims themselves can unknowingly damage their claims in the minutes, hours, and days after their crashes occur.
Thankfully, the knowledge you’ll learn in this blog, combined with the experience and resources of an Oklahoma City truck accident attorney, can help you avoid those mistakes while protecting your rights to maximum compensation.
Admitting Fault
Never admit fault after a crash, even if you think you may be fully or partially liable. It’s important to let the investigation play out to determine who is truly at fault. Your memory of what happened, even if it was mere minutes before, can be altered due to the shock of the crash.
But if you tell the truck driver, a witness, the police officer, paramedics, your doctor, or the insurance company that you may have caused the crash, it can be extremely difficult to get a settlement. That’s because your statement may go “on record” and all evidence will be viewed with the assumption that you’re at fault.
Not Getting Medical Attention Right Away
Not only should you get medical attention after a truck accident, but you should do it right away. If you wait too long to see a doctor, your injuries can worsen and the insurance company will assume you aren’t badly hurt.
If you decide to not go to the hospital right away in an ambulance, arrange your own transportation to the hospital or your doctor’s office ASAP. The longer you wait, the more skeptical the insurance company will be of your claim when you try to get compensation. That’s because as more time passes, there are more opportunities for you to get injured elsewhere and claim it happened during the crash.
Exaggerating Your Injuries
Honesty is always the best policy in life, and this includes after accidents and injuries. Regardless of who you’re speaking to about your crash, be honest about how it has affected you. Never exaggerate OR downplay your injuries, especially to your doctor or the insurance company.
If you exaggerate your injuries and they are later determined to be less severe than you initially reported, your claim may be denied. And if you downplay them, it can be difficult to get the compensation you’re truly owed based on their severity and your level of disability.
Posting on Social Media
Talking about your accident and injuries on social media is a bad idea. That’s because insurance adjusters regularly check up on victims to determine if they are being truthful about their injuries, and one of the easiest ways for them to do that is by keeping tabs on their social media profiles.
Sometimes, victims’ claims get reduced or denied even when they don’t post about their injuries, but instead post pictures or status updates about themselves going about their daily lives. Even a family picture that shows a victim standing up can be enough for an adjuster to be skeptical of their claim and injuries. Until your claim finalizes, stay off social media.
Not Calling a Lawyer Right Away
Insurance companies are always looking for ways to reduce or deny settlements. But after truck accidents, they really sit up and take notice. Trying to get compensation on your own after a truck crash can be extremely difficult, as you’ll likely be going up against a multi-billion-dollar corporation and a team of experienced adjusters who know exactly how to pay you as little as possible.
In addition, the statute of limitations on truck accident claims is just two years in Oklahoma. And while that may seem like plenty of time, evidence can quickly disappear, and insurance companies grow more and more skeptical of claims when they’re filed long after crashes occur. It’s important to make calling a lawyer one of your top priorities in the hours or days after a truck crash.
We’re Ready to Start Building Your Compensation Claim
At Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers, our team works around the clock, whether it’s building claims or listening to victims’ stories. You can call us 24/7 after a crash and let us know what happened, and we’ll go to work for you immediately. We know time is of the essence, especially in truck accident claims where big money is often on the line.
Contact us today for an initial consultation on your claim. Not only is it free to meet with us, but you won’t pay us a penny unless we get money for you.
