Victims of truck accidents face a long road to recovery. Perhaps you were hurt, received medical care, and are now facing an unsure future. Even after a truck accident happens and you are starting to work towards recovery, you need to know what steps to take to protect yourself and what rights you have throughout the process.
At Kwartler Manus, LLC, our legal team helps victims of truck accidents in Pittsburgh understand their rights. Consider the steps you should take after an accident, once the immediate danger is passed. Speak with our Pittsburgh truck accident lawyer today about your case.
#1: Prioritize Your Health
No matter what other steps you take, make recovering from your injuries your goal and most important objective. That means that you should focus on getting medical care (if you have not done so yet) and then following up and continuing your recommended treatment. Demonstrating that you are willing to work towards recovery can prove to be critical for victims.
#2: Contact Our Attorney Immediately
You do not have to wait, and often should not wait, to seek legal guidance. Insurance companies for trucking companies will contact you and try to encourage you to settle fast. That initial level of compensation could seem like a good offer and a fast solution. It is rarely even a fraction of what they owe you. Instead, contact our Pittsburgh truck accident lawyer first and let us provide a free consultation.
#3: Start Tracking Daily Impact
From the day after your truck accident, document what your injuries and losses are. To do this, think about all of the limitations and impact that you have on your life due to the injuries caused by this accident. Keep a simple log either on your phone or in a journal that includes information about:
- Hours and benefits missed at work
- Activities you could not participate in because of the injuries
- Family member impact, such as not being able to take care of your children
- Emotional impact from the incident
- Impact on your financial well-being
- Impact on family and friends
Keep this log going until your case is settled. It serves as a valuable tool for proving your losses throughout your case.
#4: Avoid Social Media
It is very tempting to get on social media to communicate what happened to you, update family and friends about your injuries, and even try to raise money to help you through this time. Avoid doing so and, if you decide to do so, let your Pittsburgh truck accident attorney approve of it first. What you say, show, and demonstrate on social media, even as a comment on someone else’s post, will be used against you.
#5: Avoid the Insurance Company – Refer Them to Us Instead
The truck company’s insurance company will begin working hard to find ways to reduce your case and settle it. However, you are under no obligation to speak to the insurance company. Instead, if they have questions or just need a “quick answer” tell them to speak to your attorney. This is by far the most important way to protect yourself from making a mistake.
#6: Help Us Investigate Your Case
As a trusted legal team, we will begin working on your case immediately to document your losses and pursue fair compensation. You can help us in several ways:
- Write down the sequence of events as you remember them
- Let us know about any injuries and losses you have, especially a new diagnosis from your doctor
- Keep us updated on when you can go back to work and the process or limitations you continue to face
It is not uncommon to remember things later, during the healing process. If you do, reach out to us. We are here to help you.
#7: Protect Your Mental Health
These are scary situations, and the risk of emotional trauma and mental anguish is very real. When we build your claim, we will include any onset of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety you have. During your recovery, get medical care as well as mental health support. It can protect your future.
#8: Avoid Doing What Your Doctor Says Not to Do
One of the potential mistakes you could make after such an accident is trying to do too much. If your doctor says you should not be working right now, do not go out to cut the grass or head out on a trip that involves intense physical activity. Insurance companies will watch your social media, statements, and even those of your family and friends to prove your losses are not what they say they are.
#9: Be Honest with Us
We are your truck accident attorney, and you are protected from us making any statements against you. However, if you do not provide us with the full extent of what happened or we learn later that you were at fault, it becomes much more challenging to recover damages. Let us be there now.
#10: Be Ready to Act in a Lawsuit
In most situations, our attorney will get a settlement for you. If the insurance company is not willing to be fair. We will go to court to fight for you.
Turn to Our Legal Team Now for a Free Consultation
Contact Kwartler Manus, LLC now for a free consultation. Let us fight for you throughout this accident as your trusted Pittsburgh truck accident attorney.