Where to Start?
Car accidents; can you imagine anything more frustrating? There you are, minding your own business and going about your day when your world is turned upside down. It takes time to get your life back to normal after an accident, even if you walk away without a major injury. Who wants to deal with the cops? Who wants to take time off work to drop their car off at the body shop?
And who wants to deal with insurance?
The problem is only exacerbated if you are in an accident with a commercial truck. These machines can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds, increasing the odds of a severe injury. Commercial trucks are usually backed by a team of lawyers, lawyers whose job is to make sure the company loses as little money as possible.
What steps should you take when dealing with insurance claims after getting into an accident with one of these beasts?
What Should You Do Immediately After an Accident?
If you are involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle, many of the steps you should follow will mirror those you take after an accident with a civilian vehicle.
First, you will need to assess the damage. Are you injured? Is anyone in your vehicle injured? Do you need medical services?
If so, call 911 immediately. Request medical services and inform the dispatcher that you have been in a car accident.
If you and everyone else in your vehicle are not severely injured, you can call your local non-emergency number and request a law enforcement officer come to your location. Move your vehicle out of harm’s way if you are able and if it is safe to do so.
You may speak with the other parties involved in the accident, offering them your information while also collecting theirs. Do not admit fault, even if you believe you may have been at fault. Admitting fault can cause many issues down the line. It is better to let the professionals determine who is at fault.
Take plenty of pictures of the scene of the accident. Injuries you or your passengers received, damage to your vehicle, damage to the other party’s vehicle, and anything you feel is evidence that can be used to prove fault. Think of things like skid marks on the pavement, traffic signs, and traffic lights. Be sure to record the commercial vehicle’s license plate, as well as any branding you can see.
Speak with bystanders who may have witnessed the accident. Ask them if they would be willing to give you their contact information and if they would provide a statement to law enforcement when they arrive. Are there any businesses near the scene of the accident? If so, they may have street-facing cameras that have caught the accident on video.
When law enforcement arrives, give them your information as well as your statement. Be sure to avoid admitting fault!
Once the dust settles, notify your insurance company of your claim. Provide them with the information you have collected, send them the photos you have taken, offer them the evidence you have collected, and send the police report from the accident.
Finally, schedule a medical examination. Even if you don’t think you need one or that you can’t afford it, find a way to make it happen. This information can help find any dormant injuries caused by the accident and can be used as evidence when pursuing a case.
What’s Next?
In a normal auto accident, you would likely be done, but because this accident involved a commercial vehicle, you are likely just starting. The other party’s insurance may choose to simply pay out your claim and even cover some of your medical expenses. But this is a large company. Their allegiance is to their shareholders, not to do what is right.
When you file your claim, you will likely not deal directly with the other party’s insurance company. Instead, your insurance will do the communications and try to get you a settlement that covers the damage to your vehicle and medical costs up to a certain amount.
But what happens if you are severely injured and the other party doesn’t want to play fair? How do you recoup what you have lost when they are not paying what you are owed? Even worse, what do you do when you have to start dealing with lawyers instead of claims adjusters?
It can all feel so overwhelming.
When Should You Hire a Lawyer?
It can be tempting to wait until the other guys play dirty to hire a lawyer. At Piedra Injury Law, we believe that first, you should call the cops to report the accident. Next, you should contact your insurance agent to get the ball rolling. After that, call your family to let them know you are okay. Now, it is time to call an experienced injury attorney.
When you work with an injury attorney, you are leveling the playing field. Your attorney will help you utilize the evidence you collected. Your attorney will deal with the annoying insurance process. And best of all, when the other guys decide to bully you with legal letterhead, you will be ready because the team at Piedra Injury Law knows how to cut the chaff and get you what you are owed.
Don’t hesitate to call 786-305-3658 to schedule your free consultation. With our team on your side, you will rest assured that you have an experienced team representing you and your case.
Don’t hope the other guys will play fair; guarantee it with the Piedra Injury Law team on your side!
