With so many truck routes through Pittsburgh, including Parkway East and West, and the Turnpike itself, it can be terrifying to drive home after work or across the state. In a serious truck accident, it can be hard to do anything but just get through the first 24 hours. You may be facing intense emotional trauma, physical injuries, and an uncertain future. After that first day, once you are safe, there are several things to do, but also a few things you should not do.
We recommend seeking a free consultation with our Pittsburgh truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. We will help you avoid some of the worst possible outcomes. Here are some of the most important things not to do after a Pittsburgh truck accident.
Do Not Avoid Getting Medical Care
In fact, you should get medical care the same day and even immediately after the accident. This is the only way to protect your health. However, if you were checked out and went home, pay close attention to your body in the days after the accident. Do not wait to get additional medical care if you experience any of the following:
- Intensifying pain or discomfort
- Tenderness or severe pain in your stomach
- Loss of consciousness
- Significant onset of fatigue that is worsening
- Confusion or mood changes
Any changes or worsening of your condition may indicate an undiagnosed injury. Do not wait to go back to the doctor.
Do Not Get on Social Media
One of the most distinctive desires after a serious accident for many people is to go on social media to update friends and family and share their story. Avoid it. Social media is publicly available, even if your platforms are “locked down.” For that reason, anything you say or share here, even as a comment on someone else’s post, can be used against you.
Avoid any type of fundraising campaign. You also do not want to make any comments about what happened in the accident or what you are doing now to heal. Any information can be used out of context to put you in trouble.
Avoid Admitting Fault
You did not cause this accident, so why would you admit fault? In many situations, fault occurs as a result of statements made that are taken the wrong way. For example, if you tell someone that you are “doing okay” or that you “did not see the truck next to you” those are admissions that could be used later against you.
Do not admit any type of responsibility or speculate about it. For example, if you are speaking to the police and say, “I just looked at my phone for a second,” you are admitting fault. Because this can become very easy to do, it is often best not to speak to anyone about the case except your attorney.
Do Not Talk to the Insurance Company Yourself
You may be pressured into filing a claim or providing information to the insurance company about your injuries and losses. Avoid doing so at all. When possible, let your truck accident attorney in Pittsburgh handle this conversation for you. If you do need to contact the insurance company, whether it is yours or the trucking company’s, do not make any statements of your injuries, what caused the accident, or how you are doing.
Do Not Wait to Take Legal Action
Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations is two years. This means you have two years to the day to seek out a lawsuit against the at-fault party. If you do not file a lawsuit in a Pennsylvania court within two years, you lose your right to recover damages.
Two years can seem like a long time. However, in serious accidents, you could spend three or more months in the hospital recovering. Once you are finally ready to seek fair compensation, you will have to wait for the negotiation process to try to reach a settlement offer. It is easy for those two years to approach quickly. To avoid this complexity, seek out a truck accident attorney in Pittsburgh now and let them handle your case from the start.
Do Not Hide Anything from Your Lawyer
Your attorney is your advocate. You are also protected by the attorney-client privilege. That means you should be open about every aspect of the accident before you move your case forward. If you believe you did something to cause the accident, let your attorney know. If you have preexisting injuries or other health complications that could contribute to this accident or claim, let your lawyer know.
If you are not receiving the recommended medical care or you are returning to work before your doctor agrees to release you, consult with your lawyer.
Set Up a Free Consultation with a Pittsburgh Truck Accident Attorney Now
Kwartler Manus, LLC is ready to help you. You may have a great deal of risk moving your case forward. We can help. Set up a free consultation with our legal team now to learn what we can do to guide you.