You’ve been in an accident with a semi-truck and have begun receiving medical treatment for your injuries. Now what? While many of us know what to do in the immediate aftermath of an accident, the next steps to take after seeking medical treatment might not be so clear.
Once you’ve recovered enough to start thinking about suing the truck driver for your injuries, these are the steps you should take to get the most out of your claim.
Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney
Having an experienced truck accident attorney on your side can make the process of seeking fair compensation for your medical bills, vehicle repairs, lost wages, and other expenses much simpler. Your attorney will be able to answer your questions, complete your filings correctly and within the statute of limitations, and represent you in negotiations and at trial.
The truck driver who caused your injuries, their employer, or their insurance provider will have attorneys on their side. Having an attorney of your own can prevent them from taking advantage of you and your situation.
Gather Evidence and Witness Testimony
Depending on the situation, you likely secured the contact information of the other drivers and other people who witnessed the accident. Your attorney can follow up with those witnesses to get their testimony. Eyewitness accounts can corroborate your version of events.
At this point, your attorney will also gather other evidence, like medical records and accident reports. Your role here is to give your attorney access to these documents so they can continue to build your case. The more you can give your attorney to work with, the better they’ll be able to defend your right to compensation.
Do Not Provide a Statement to the Insurance Company
At some point, the insurance provider for the truck driver or their employer may reach out to you for a statement. Do not provide a statement to them until after you’ve spoken with your attorney.
Keep in mind that the insurance company isn’t on your side, no matter what they might tell you. Their job is to save money by paying you as little for your injuries as possible. They may try to get you to admit fault for the accident. Or, they may simply be looking for you to make a statement they can use against you in settlement negotiations or court.
It’s always a good idea to prepare your statement with your attorney beforehand and have your attorney with you if and when you provide it.
Document Your Injuries, Treatments, and More
Finally, you should document your injuries, treatments, and the pain you’re experiencing. Your attorney could use all of this information to argue for fair compensation.
Taking photos of your injuries as early as you can after the accident can prove their seriousness. Also, taking photos of how your injuries heal over the next weeks and months can demonstrate that your treatments are working.
Writing down the medical treatments you’ve undergone can help you track what’s been done to heal your injuries. A pain journal that rates how you’re feeling each day can illustrate your healing progress or lack thereof.
If your pain isn’t subsiding over time, your attorney could use this to argue for additional compensation to cover future pain management treatments. Or, if your pain gets better after a particular treatment, your attorney can use it as evidence that the treatment was reasonable and necessary.
Truck Accident Attorneys in Walnut Creek, California
If you’ve been injured in a semi-truck accident in Walnut Creek, California, call the law office of Casper Meadows Schwartz & Cook for a free consultation with one of our experienced truck accident lawyers.