If you’ve been in a truck accident you may wonder how to file a truck accident claim to try to receive compensation for your injuries and other damages. Trucking law and litigation can be complex, because it is necessary to understand and know applicable federal and state rules and regulations, deadlines for filing, and which parties to file a claim against. An attorney familiar with trucking law can help you file such a claim.
Here are some important things to remember at all times when filing a truck accident claim:
There is no need to lie or exaggerate anything when providing information for a claim. In fact, such dishonesty will only end up working to your disfavor because trucking company’s insurance companies and lawyers will hire investigators, gather your medical records, and otherwise fact check basically everything you tell them anyway. That means if they catch you in a lie they will point that out over and over, and it will negatively impact your claim.
Do not exaggerate your injuries in the belief that this will provide you with a larger settlement or verdict, for the same reasons stated above about why it is important to be completely honest.
On the other hand, it is sometimes believed for politeness that you should not complain or discuss your injuries, or just downplay your problems if they are not, to your belief, severe. This is also not appropriate for your claim. Downplaying your injuries will not get you the full compensation that you may be entitled to. Further, injuries come and go with time. Bruises may heal quickly, or what you thought was a slight bump may later turn out to be something more serious. Since you cannot predict the future, go ahead and make note of all your injuries as you experience them, whether you currently believe they are severe or not.
When dealing with the trucking company’s insurance company you may be asked to sign certain documents, such as a release. You should not sign any documents until you have reviewed them with an Indiana Truck Accident Lawyer, who can explain their legal significance to you and help you understand what you are signing and its implications for your claim.
The laws and procedures in place require you to file truck claims within certain deadlines, commonly known as the statute of limitations. If you miss filing your claim within this window of time you may be barred from recovering on your claim. This deadline varies depending on the facts of the case, and what causes of action you may file against the trucking company or other defendants. Consult with an experienced attorney who can help review the facts of your case to determine applicable deadlines and help you make sure you do not miss them.
Starr Austen and Miller focuses on representing individuals and their family members in serious personal injury and wrongful death cases, such as those often involved in trucking accidents. If you or a loved one has been in a truck accident you can contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case.
[Source: Truck Accident Lawyer.com]
by Andrew B. Miller, Partner
by Andrew B. Miller, Partner
by Andrew B. Miller, Partner
