What You Should Ask for After an Accident with a Truck
Navigating truck accidents is complicated because so many different parties could be involved in the accident, including:
- Truck driver
- Employer
- Mechanic
- Parts manufacturer
- Shipper
In some cases, you’ll be making a claim with the truck driver’s employer. If the driver is an independent contractor, you’ll need to make a claim with that individual driver’s insurer.
So you should ask questions that help you gather details and context for your injury and damage claims – knowing who the shipper was and the driver’s employment information will help your attorney get started in reviewing who should pay for your injuries after an accident.
Once you’ve gathered these details, don’t forget to get contact information for the truck driver as well as a photo of their commercial driver’s license and DOT number for their truck. This will all help in identifying the vehicle and driver to receive compensation for your injuries and property damage.
Damage Types
Documenting expenses after a truck accident is important. Because of how complex these accidents can be, you must keep track of your expenses to aid your attorney in calculating a fair settlement amount. Some examples of damage types include the following:
1. Property Damage
The most obvious type of property damage is damage to your vehicle. But don’t forget the property inside. This might include expensive items like a smartphone, laptop, or bicycle. Include all damaged property in your insurance claim.
2. Medical Bills
Keep all medical bills and invoices related to your care following a truck accident. You should factor in even small bills like prescribed painkillers. This will ensure you get full compensation for your expenses.
3. Future Medical Bills
In conjunction with your medical professionals, you should look to the future to calculate what ongoing medical care will cost you. There is a two-year statute of limitations on injury claims, so you’ll need to file your claim within that period. But that doesn’t mean you’ll have fully recovered from your injuries by that two-year marker. That’s why you’ll need to calculate future medical bills.
4. Lost Wages
This is an area that many people forget to calculate when looking at their total settlement amount following an accident. However, it can be a source of large financial impacts. If you miss work due to appointments or an inability to work, you should be compensated for those lost wages.
Lost wages can be more challenging to calculate, though, especially for hourly workers who get overtime pay. One of the many ways to do a lost wage calculation is to take wages from the last 12 months and average it to get to a weekly or monthly wage that you’re missing out on due to your injuries.
For best results, you should work with an experienced truck accident attorney who can guide you in calculating your expenses related to the accident.
Why Medical Diagnosis Matters After a Truck Accident
To pursue compensation for injuries from a truck accident, you’ll need a documented medical diagnosis as soon as possible after the accident. While you might not feel the need to ride away in an ambulance, you should discuss any pain or discomfort with a physician as soon as possible, no matter how minor.
Some injuries after accidents like this take time to present themselves or to be painful enough for victims to seek treatment. But if you wait too long, it will call into question whether the injuries are truly related to the accident or not. It’s best to seek medical attention quickly after an accident, so there is no room for doubt.
Geoff McDonald & Associates offers a team of experienced truck accident experts ready to help you get the financial compensation you deserve after suffering an injury. Schedule a free consultation now to learn more about our services.