There are multiple steps you should take after a truck accident to protect your legal rights after getting hurt.
You should consider:
- Seeking medical attention
- Reporting the crash to the Georgia Department of Transportation (if you did not file an accident report at the scene of the collision)
- Documenting your injuries and the extent of your losses
Each of these steps can work to your benefit. You should also consider how an Atlanta personal injury lawyer can build and manage your personal injury case.
Seek Medical Attention After a Truck Accident
Injuries caused by truck accidents can be severe. You should seek medical treatment for your injuries after a truck crash–– no matter how minor you think they may be.
For many people, the seriousness of their injuries only becomes apparent in the days following their accidents. Adrenaline can mask the pain that comes with these injuries. Many people go to bed the day of a truck crash feeling fine, only to wake up wracked with pain. Seeking medical care right away could prevent your condition from getting worse.
Medical treatment is not only important for your health, but it is also important for your personal injury claim. By delaying treatment, you give the other party the opportunity to say that your injuries were not caused by the crash. What’s more, your medical records, medications, and lab test results can bolster your claim.
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Report the Collision to the Proper Authorities
If you were involved in a truck accident that resulted in injuries, death, or property damage of more than $500, then you must report the accident to the proper authorities.
If law enforcement was called to the accident scene, then they may have already done this for you. If not, then as noted, you should report the incident to the Georgia Department of Transportation.
The police report will document many details of your collision, including:
- The names of the parties involved
- The time, date, and location of the crash
- Whether anyone was issued a traffic citation or charged with a crime
- Diagrams of the accident scene and the vehicles’ damage
- Whether an ambulance was called
You should also check the accuracy of the police report. You can request a copy of the report through the Georgia Department of Transportation and check for any mistakes. Even the smallest error could be used against you later on in the claims process.
Document Your Injuries and Losses
Even if you are not sure whether you will need to file a personal injury claim, you should document various aspects of your situation as soon as possible.
This involves:
Collecting Documentation of Your Injuries
To recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, you will need to show the liable insurer that you were injured. They will not take your word for it––even if you were clearly hurt. You will need to supply various forms of evidence to support your allegations.
Some pieces of evidence that can prove that you were injured include:
- Your imaging scan results, such as x-rays and ultrasounds
- Photos of your physical injuries
- The names of your prescribed medications
- The dates of your doctors’ appointments
- Written testimony from your doctor
Throughout the duration of your recovery period, you should also consider keeping a pain journal. This journal is written from your perspective and documents your day-to-day pain levels, physical therapy appointments, and other related details.
Keeping Track of Your Losses
When you file your insurance claim, you will need documentation to support the cost of your losses. You will need to use your property damage receipts, medical bills, and invoices to show what you have lost and how much your losses are worth.
Some of your truck accident-related losses, however, will not have monetary values. For instance, pain and suffering does not come with a price tag. Again, this is where your pain journal can document the extent of your non-economic losses.
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Call Bader Scott Injury Lawyers to Learn More
If you suffered injuries in a truck crash, your actions in the days and weeks following your collision could determine the outcome of your claim. By seeking medical care, reporting the collision, and documenting the crash, you can build a compelling case.
However, you may be in no position to do these things by yourself. That is not a problem because an Atlanta truck accident attorney from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can do them for you. We know how to build successful truck accident claims, and we have recovered millions of dollars for our clients.
Call (404) 888-8888 to begin a free case review.
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