Car accidents happen all the time. There are thousands of them on a daily basis in the United States alone. Unfortunately, certain accidents are more dangerous and deadly than others. In terms of injuries and fatalities, crashes involving trucks rank at the very top.

If you find yourself in a situation where you’ve been hurt or injured in a truck accident, it’s important that you get the compensation you rightly deserve. However, you should also know that the process can be long and complicated. The more you prepare for the logistics and complexities of the process, the better your chances are of maximizing your claim.

The Problem With Trucks

Accidents involving large trucks – often called semi-trucks, eighteen-wheelers, or tractor-trailers – rarely end well. These trucks generally weight 20-30-times as much as passenger cars, which means the smaller vehicle typically takes the brunt of the collision.

While it could be argued that American roads are far safer than they were in the 1980s and 1990s, “safe” is very much a relative term. Each year, somewhere between 3,500 and 4,000 people die in accidents involving large trucks. And according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, as much as 97 percent of these victims are occupants of the passenger vehicles. Thousands more are injured each year.

Truck braking issues are a major factor in these types of accidents, but so is driver fatigue, wet and slippery conditions, speeding, and driving under the influence. If you’re hurt in an accident involving a truck, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and pain and suffering.

4 Ways to Maximize Your Compensation

How much compensation you receive for your accident is highly dependent on numerous factors. Here are some practical ways you can maximize your claim:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Don’t delay in getting medical attention. Your health and physical well-being is the most important thing. Call 9-1-1 and get the help you need.

In addition to helping you treat and manage any injuries that occurred as a result of the crash, your team of doctors and nurses will help you create a documented paper trail of your injuries. You’ll need this information when you file your insurance claims and/or suits.

2. Gather Evidence

You can never have enough evidence. While you may think you have a pretty straightforward claim, you’d be surprised by how many different ways the insurance company can fight back. The more concrete details you have, the more likely it is that you’ll get favorable compensation.

If you’re able to do so at the scene, snap photos, capture videos, and record audio. If you’re too injured to do so, have another passenger take on this responsibility. (The police will file a report, but it’s always helpful to have supplementary, firsthand evidence. In fact, it’s best to have dashcams like these ones installed in your truck.)

3. Don’t Talk to the Trucking Company

“Trucking companies and their insurers move fast after a crash. They want to protect their interests,” Tate Law Offices explains. “Don’t speak to them. Don’t let your family members speak to them, either. Any statement you make can and most likely will be used against you. Even a few simple words can be taken out of context and used as a means to deny your truck accident claim.”

While you’ll eventually have to engage with the insurance company if you want a shot at recovering some compensation, don’t feel like you have to do this within the first few hours after the accident. Take your time, gather your thoughts, and get some legal advice.

4. Call a Truck Accident Attorney

Speaking of legal advice, you should hire an attorney. More specifically, you should hire a truck accident lawyer in Bakersfield (or wherever you are located) who has years of experience working on cases just like yours. This attorney will help you talk with the insurance company, guide you through the process of estimating your costs, and negotiate the correct compensation.

Putting it All Together

The aftermath of a truck accident is challenging – physically, emotionally, and financially. As hard as it can be to slow down and think clearly, make sure you take your time and approach the process with discipline and discretion.

In doing so, you can maximize your claim and reach a faster and more sustainable recovery.

Shift Frequency © 2019 – Maximize Your Compensation
After a Truck Accident