How to Recover Full and Fair Compensation After a Commercial Truck Accident
After a truck accident, you may see the expenses start piling up immediately. From days off of work and medical bills to a totaled car and lost items within your car, it’s hard to keep track of. That’s why it’s so important to get the full and fair compensation after a truck accident you deserve after a Charleston truck accident.
We’re here to help. At Bailey Javins & Carter, we’re focused on helping victims and families seek the compensation they’re owed. Call us at 800-497-0234 to set up a consultation now.
Steps to Take Right After an Accident
What you do immediately after an accident can determine how easily you recover compensation. There’s evidence that you can only collect right after a collision, and you have to take advantage of this opportunity. We recommend:
- Calling the police: The Charleston Police Department can respond to the scene of the crash and help with a police report. A police report is an important part of your insurance claim and your personal injury case.
- Taking photos and video footage: The crash scene will be cleaned up by the time you are able to return to it, so use this chance to take photos and video footage if you are able to do so.
- Exchanging information: Exchange contact and insurance information with the truck driver. Their information should include their name and the name of the company they work for.
- Seeking medical care: There are numerous medical facilities in and around the Charleston area, including CAMC Urgent Care and CAMC Memorial Hospital. Get checked out right away—some injuries, even those you can’t see, can be life-threatening if not caught right away.
- Talking to an attorney: You absolutely need a lawyer when you’re going up against a trucking company. They have a large legal team on their side, and if you want fair compensation, it’s important to have an advocate.
The Importance of Documentation
Documentation is crucial for victims seeking compensation. Insurance companies don’t pay out a large settlement unless they have to in order to avoid court. The more evidence you have documenting the truck accident, your injuries, and how your injuries have affected your life, the harder it is for the other side to deny their role and your losses. Medical bills, medical reports, proof of time away from work, and repair bills can be useful proof.
The Role of Legal Representation in Receiving Fair Compensation After a Truck Accident
Legal representation must be part of your plan to recover fair and full compensation. Trucking companies want to avoid scandals and financial losses. That’s why they have sizable legal teams that jump into action when one of their drivers is involved in a crash. They’ll do whatever they can to downplay the accident, minimize their own liability, and pay you as little as possible. It’s very difficult for a regular person to fight back against this level of unethical behavior. When you hire an experienced truck accident lawyer, they can gather the evidence necessary to prove your claim and fight this battle on your behalf.
How to Protect Your Claim
At this point in the process, the best thing you can do is listen to your attorney’s instructions. It can be frustrating to have to wait, but trying to intervene can actually make things worse for you. For example, you don’t want to take your story to social media and put the trucking company on blast. Getting the media or the general public involved makes the situation much messier and doesn’t give the company a lot of incentive to work with you. Additionally, you’ll want to listen to your doctor’s treatment recommendations and attend all of your appointments. Showing compliance with your treatment indicates an interest in resolving your injuries and bringing a swift end to your claim, which may encourage the truck company to cooperate.
Reach Out to Bailey Javins & Carter Today
When you connect with Bailey Javins & Carter, we will learn more about your truck accident, assess your financial and non-financial losses, and start building your case. Let’s sit down and talk about your next steps. Give us a call at 800-497-0234 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free consultation.