What to Know Before Filing a Truck Accident Claim

If you were recently hurt in a large truck crash, you’re probably concerned about your financial security. From medical bills to vehicle repairs, the associated expenses are undoubtedly adding up fast. What’s more, your injuries may be keeping you out of work, thereby preventing you from earning any money during such a stressful time.

Fortunately, you may be eligible for compensation, which you can pursue by filing a third-party claim. If this is the route you choose to take, though, it’s wise to review the process before getting started. With so much at stake, you don’t want to make any inadvertent mistakes that end up jeopardizing your claim.

Read on to learn about a few aspects of the proceedings that often surprise truck accident claimants, so you’re not caught unawares:

1. You Need to Reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)

It’s only natural to hope for a prompt resolution to your truck accident claim. Generally speaking, though, you should not accept a settlement until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement.

Prior to MMI, there’s no way to be sure of the extent of the damages. Consequently, concluding the negotiations could mean walking away with a payout that won’t actually cover all the losses you go on to incur.

2. The Insurance Adjuster May Monitor Your Online Activity

Insurance adjusters are expected to protect their carrier’s bottom line, which means finding cause to reject or at least reduce the claims they review. Nowadays, they often take to monitoring social media when looking for such cause, since sites like Facebook and Instagram are essentially a treasure trove of activity.

For this reason, truck accident attorneys will usually advise clients to disable any accounts until their claims have been resolved. If that’s not feasible, you can at least activate stricter privacy settings. This will make it harder for the insurance adjuster to scrutinize your posts.

3. More Than One Party May Be Liable

It’s not uncommon for multiple parties to contribute to large truck crashes. While a single individual, like the trucker, might shoulder most of the blame, there are several other parties that could have contributed to the wreck. And if you want to prevent disputes, you’re going to have to include all of them in your claim from day one.

Thankfully, a resourceful lawyer can help. If you enlist counsel, your legal team will conduct a thorough investigation in the circumstances surrounding the accident. Then, they’ll use their findings to identify everyone who played a role in the incident, so you can seek compensation from all of them.

Call 772-266-5555 to Discuss Your Case with a Stuart Truck Accident Attorney

Are you struggling physically, emotionally, or financially in the aftermath of a large truck crash? For help holding the liable party accountable, turn to Donaldson & Weston.

Our tenacious team is equipped to go up against even the largest transportation corporations, and we’re proud to go to bat for our clients when it matters most. To schedule a free initial consultation with one of our Stuart truck accident lawyers, call 772-266-5555 or complete our Contact Form.