The Dos & Don’ts of Building a Truck Accident Claim

For your truck accident claim to have a chance of yielding a payout, you’re going to have to take certain steps over the course of the proceedings. Along the way, you’re also going to have to avoid critical missteps. Otherwise, you could end up jeopardizing your case in an irreversible way, losing your chance to secure compensation in the process.

If you’re unsure how or even where to start, don’t worry; we’ve got the answer. Here are some of the most important “dos and don’ts” to keep in mind when putting together your truck accident claim:

Do Save Evidence from the Scene

Did you manage to gather any potential evidence before leaving the scene of the crash? Examples include photographs of the wreckage, statements from eyewitnesses, and dash camera footage.

If you have any of these items, do what you need to preserve them—it’s also wise to make copies to ensure redundancy—until you can hand them over to your personal injury attorney.

Don’t Remain Active on Social Media

Nowadays, turning to social media anytime anything happens is essentially second nature. While you might need support and encouragement after getting hurt, however, it’s generally advisable to lay low online.

Once your claim gets underway, there’s a good chance the insurance adjuster will take to monitoring your social media activity. Since there’s nothing stopping them from spinning your posts so they can challenge your credibility, it’s best to stay offline altogether until your case has been settled or tried.

Do Defer to Your Legal Team

As soon as you enlist legal help, you can hand over the reins to seasoned professionals. In addition to freeing you up to focus on your recovery, this will keep you from hurting your claim inadvertently.

If you correspond with the insurance adjuster directly, you might accidently say something that opens the door for a dispute. As long as you refer the opposing party to your legal team, however, you will have total peace of mind knowing the carrier cannot manipulate you into saying something you shouldn’t.

Don’t Accept a Premature Payout

With the damages mounting fast, it will probably be tempting to accept some fast cash. Agreeing to a settlement before reaching maximum medical improvement is a bad idea, however. If you do so and your condition proceeds to worsen, you won’t have any legal recourse for seeking additional funds. Depending on the severity of your injuries, this could actually leave you in a more dire financial position than you were prior to securing the payout.

Speak with a West Palm Beach Truck Accident Attorney

At Donaldson & Weston, we’re determined to fight tirelessly for those who have been wronged by others. If you were seriously hurt because of a negligent trucker, motor carrier, or cargo loading contractor, we’ll help you take the steps needed to hold them liable. Call 561-299-3999 or submit the Contact Form on our website to schedule a free initial consultation with a truck accident lawyer in West Palm Beach.