Because of the size and weight of a semi-truck, an accident involving a truck and your car can be absolutely devastating for you. In the immediate aftermath of an accident, when you feel dazed or full of adrenaline, it can be easy to make mistakes that can end up costing you significantly in the long run. Here are three mistakes that could severely damage your chances of getting the compensation that you need to make a full recovery after your accident.
Inadvertently admitting fault
It’s an unfortunate truth that, when it comes to car accidents, being polite can cost you. Sometimes drivers will say things like “sorry, I must not have seen you changing lanes,” or, “I’m so sorry, I was going too fast and couldn’t stop in time.” Unfortunately, statements like these can be used against you in court or during settlement negotiations as an admission of fault.
Instead, it’s best to make sure that everyone is alright and uninjured, and then get the truck driver’s employer name and insurance information without apologizing or commenting at all about the crash.
To learn more about your options after a truck accident in Texas, please see our Trucking Accident Overview.
Not getting a medical evaluation immediately
In the first few minutes or even hours after the crash, you might feel totally fine. Sometimes, the adrenaline of an accident can cover up the pain and other signs of an injury that will fully manifest itself days or weeks later.
Truck accidents can result in serious back and neck injuries, not to mention the more obvious, catastrophic injuries that happen often in collisions with commercial vehicles. If you get a full medical evaluation after your crash, your doctor will hopefully be able to catch early signs of a delayed injury, so that you can treat it before it becomes worse.
See our Personal Injury FAQ to learn more.
Accepting a cash settlement too soon
The trucker’s employer, their insurance company, or even the individual trucker might try to offer you a cash settlement in exchange for you waiving your right to sue them later. Because of the possibilities of delayed injuries, this is a bad idea. Also, insurance companies are notorious for making “lowball” settlement offers that come nowhere close to covering the full cost of an injury. If the full extent of your injuries turns out to be much more severe than you initially thought, you will be unable to seek additional compensation to cover your unexpected medical bills if you accept a lowball settlement offer.
The best way to get all the financial compensation you need after a truck accident is to talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer about your case. An experienced attorney can assess the full cost of your injury and how it could affect your life for the foreseeable future, and your attorney can negotiate with the insurance company to maximize your financial recovery.