Accidents involving tractor-trailers often lead to catastrophic injuries and damage. The stress and adrenaline of this accident may leave you floundering in the immediate aftermath and the days, weeks, and months ahead. Hiring an experienced tractor-trailer accident lawyer as soon as possible can help you understand how to proceed.
Here are a few things you should never do after a tractor-trailer accident.
Don’t Leave the Scene Without Gathering Evidence
The aftermath of a tractor-trailer accident can be chaotic, stressful, and dangerous, so you may want to distance yourself from it as soon as possible. Before you do, collect as much evidence as you can to support your eventual claim or lawsuit.
Your tractor-trailer accident lawyer will tell you evidence collection is key to supporting your compensation claim. Once you leave the accident scene, valuable evidence will become lost, making it difficult to support your account.
Take photos and videos of the accident scene, including close-ups of your vehicle’s damage and the tractor-trailer’s positioning. If possible, take photos of your injuries and collect the information of any bystanders so they can provide witness statements.
If you cannot gather evidence because of serious injuries, consider asking a bystander to take photos. You can always request a copy of the police report after the accident, too.
Don’t Admit Fault
Even if you believe the accident was partially your fault, never admit this. Let the insurance companies work out who was at fault. You may assume you were responsible when you were not, and doing so could compromise your case.
Even saying “I’m sorry” to the tractor-trailer driver after the accident could constitute admitting fault. Keep communications to a minimum.
Don’t Post on Social Media About the Accident
You may be tempted to share photos of the accident on social media. Tractor-trailer crashes can be gruesome and would likely draw much interest online. You may also want to update your friends and family about any injuries you sustained in the accident.
Avoid posting on social media until after your insurance claim or lawsuit has been finalized. The tractor-trailer driver’s attorney can use anything you post against you, and you don’t want to give them potentially damaging evidence.
Don’t Talk to Insurance Companies Without Preparation
Whether you’re filing a claim through your insurance or the truck company’s insurance, never contact an adjuster without being prepared. Write down what you want to say and stick to the script. Even better, have a tractor-trailer accident lawyer with you to guide your communications.
Insurance companies want to minimize their payouts as much as possible. Saying the wrong thing to the insurance adjuster could lead them to believe that your injuries or other expenses are not as severe as they are, lowering your payout.
Don’t Try To Navigate Your Case Alone
The tractor-trailer driver’s company will have an experienced legal team handling the entire claim or lawsuit process. You must match this level of preparation and professionalism with your experienced law firm.
Hiring a qualified tractor-trailer accident lawyer can improve your case outcomes while you focus on your medical treatment and recovery. They can provide legal representation when communicating with insurance adjusters and negotiating with the truck company. They will work hard to seek compensation and help you move forward from this serious accident.
Contact The Cifarelli Law Firm Today
Do you need help knowing how to proceed after an accident with a tractor-trailer? The Cifarelli Law Firm can provide experienced representation and legal guidance. Contact our tractor-trailer accident lawyers today at (949) 409-6324 to schedule a free consultation.
