5 Don’ts of an Augusta Truck Accident Claim As Told by a Lawyer Truck accidents in Augusta leave victims with serious injuries and tough challenges. Handling the aftermath can feel overwhelming, especially when filing a claim.
Making mistakes during this process can cost you both time and the compensation you deserve. To help you avoid these pitfalls, we’ve asked Augusta truck accident lawyers to highlight the five critical mistakes to avoid when filing a claim.
Don’t Neglect Medical Attention Your adrenaline could be masking the symptoms of pain or injury after a truck accident. Even if you feel okay, it’s important to see a doctor right away. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal bleeding, don’t show up immediately after an accident.
Furthermore, you have to prove the injuries you have sustained in an accident. Otherwise, it could make the other side argue that your injuries are not as bad as you make them to be or not related to the accident. Skipping this step would weaken your case and reduce the compensation awarded to you.
Don’t Delay Contacting a Lawyer Time is of the essence in truck accident cases. If you wait too long to see an attorney, it’s going to be much harder to get important evidence like witness statements, traffic camera footage, and reports about the condition and safety inspection of the vehicles involved. Georgia also places a statute of limitations on filing personal injury claims, meaning you may not have the right to sue if you wait too long.
A lawyer can help you through all legal proceedings, collecting and preserving evidence to build a very strong case from the beginning. The earlier you seek legal advice, the better the chance that you will get fair compensation.
Don’t Admit Fault It’s completely normal to feel disoriented and upset after a truck accident, but it’s vital not to admit fault or apologize to anyone at the scene, even if it feels like the right thing to do. A simple “I’m sorry” can be twisted into an admission of liability , which could severely harm your case later on.
Remember, Georgia law determines fault based on the facts and evidence, not on your immediate reaction after the accident. Let the investigation unfold without your words inadvertently influencing the outcome. Stick to the basics, exchange insurance information, and avoid discussing who was at fault.
Don’t Give a Statement to the At-Fault Party’s Insurance Company After the accident, it’s likely that the trucking company’s insurance adjusters will reach out quickly, asking for a statement. They may seem friendly or concerned, but their primary goal is to protect their bottom line by minimizing the payout on your claim.
Giving a recorded or written statement without consulting a lawyer first can be a big mistake. These adjusters are trained to ask questions in a way that might lead you to say something that could hurt your case, even if you don’t realize it. Always consult a lawyer before talking to any insurance representative to make sure your rights are protected and your words aren’t misinterpreted.
Don’t Settle Too Quickly The aftermath of a truck accident can feel overwhelming, especially when medical bills and lost wages start piling up. It might be tempting to accept the first settlement offer the insurance company gives you just to get it over with. However, that initial offer is often much lower than what you actually deserve.
Insurance companies aim to settle quickly and for as little as possible, but rushing into a settlement can leave you with an amount that doesn’t fully cover your current and future expenses. It’s important to have a lawyer review any settlement offer to ensure it’s fair and covers all aspects of your damages, including medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
