If you’ve been involved in a commercial accident caused by a negligent driver, the law gives you the right to file a compensation claim for all the damage you may have suffered. Some damages you can recover in a truck accident include medication and prescription bills, hospital stays, physical pain and therapy, mental anguish, damaged personal items, and loss of earnings.
However, filing a commercial truck accident is easier said than done, especially if you’re doing it for the first time. What you do immediately after the accident or the steps you take when filing the claim will affect your compensation. This article outlines all the important steps to take when filing a commercial truck accident claim and maximizing compensation. They include the following:
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Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer
Filing a commercial truck accident claim involves a lot of legal processes, and sometimes you may get confused along the way. Fortunately, you can hire a personal injury lawyer to walk with you and help simplify the process. A personal injury lawyer is an attorney who provides legal services to people seeking compensation for damages due to another person’s negligence or mistakes. They can guide you through the process to ensure you strengthen your case for maximum compensation.
Here are some benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer for your commercial truck accident:
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They Can Help Determine The True Value Of Your Case
When valuing commercial truck accident cases, many victims don’t know which elements can help quantify a claim. An injury lawyer will help bring together all the components that can help value the case. As such, you’ll likely build a strong case, which increases the possibility of receiving the right compensation.
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They Know How To Negotiate
Personal injury lawyers are trained and skilled in negotiation. Additionally, they’ve gained a lot of negotiation skills during their many years of working. Therefore, they’ll represent you in the process and negotiate for maximum compensation.
While a lawyer can help you win the case, you must choose the best legal service provider. For instance, ask a personal injury attorney whether they’ve previously dealt with commercial truck accident cases. The best attorney should be experienced in the services you want. Therefore, don’t just hire any personal injury lawyer; choose one specializing in commercial truck accidents. This way, you can be assured of getting quality service, improving your odds of winning.
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Seek Medical Attention
If you are involved in a commercial truck accident, ensure you prioritize your recovery and health. If you can walk, your first destination should be the nearest hospital. If you sustain severe injuries and can’t walk, call emergency service providers, who will come and take you to the hospital.
The primary reason for seeking medical attention after being involved in a commercial truck accident is to boost your recovery. Even if you only sustained minor injuries, visiting a hospital is vital. The doctor will examine your injuries and provide proper medication.
Seeking medical attention isn’t just about your recovery and health; it also plays an important role in lawsuit filing and compensation. The hospital will provide medication reports to help establish evidence of your injuries. Besides, you’ll use the medical bills to compute your case’s value. All these will help build a strong claim, thus maximizing your compensation.
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Notify Your Insurance Company
If your business or vehicle has been destroyed in the accident, you’ll want to seek compensation from your auto insurance company. For this reason, notify them on time. There are strict deadlines for reporting commercial truck accident cases, with most insurance firms requiring you to do so within the first 24 hours. Therefore, contact your insurance company immediately after the accident.
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Collect And Document Evidence
You must gather enough evidence of the commercial truck accident to build a strong case. One of the best ways to gather evidence is to take pictures of the accident scene, so if you can, take pictures of the accident, including the vehicles involved and any visible injured parts of your body.
Aside from that, find witnesses. These are people who were present when the accident happened; they can help provide additional evidence of the accident. If you see a few people around the accident scene, get their contact information and give it to your lawyer so they can reach out to them when the case hearing starts.
Takeaway
You’re entitled to compensation if you suffer damages in a commercial truck accident caused by someone else’s negligence. However, you must follow the right steps when making your claim. Hiring a personal injury lawyer, seeking medical attention, contacting your insurance company, and collecting evidence are important steps when filming a commercial truck accident claim.
Interesting Related Article: “What To Do If You’re In An Accident While Driving A Delivery Truck“