Protecting Your Rights after a Commercial Truck Accident in California

Tractor-trailer trucks are vital to our American way of life. Unfortunately, they also regularly cause serious injury-causing accidents. They carry goods of all types across the nation, keeping store shelves stocked and food on the table. When truck drivers become negligent or do not adhere to federal regulations when it comes to driving or driving in otherwise careless ways, innocent people suffer severe injuries, and some die.

Big rigs can weigh as much as 20-30 times as passenger vehicles, making them no match for one another on the open road. Additionally, loaded trucks can take as much as 20 to 40 percent more distance to stop, a number which is higher if the roads are wet or the truck’s brakes are not properly maintained.

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), in 2017, a total of 4,102 people died in large truck accidents. Only 17 percent of the fatalities were occupants of the truck while 68 percent were drivers or passengers of other vehicles and 14 percent were pedestrians, motorcyclists or bicyclists. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a commercial truck accident, hiring a skilled truck accident attorney in Redding should be your next priority.

In the meantime, follow these steps to help protect your legal rights after being involved in a truck accident.

Get Medical Attention

Do not waste time when it comes to seeking medical attention. The most important thing you can do after an accident is to see a doctor as soon as possible. If you are seriously injured, you will likely be transported to the nearest hospital via ambulance to get medical care.

If your injuries appear to be mild or you do not think you are injured at all, you may seek medical attention later through your own doctor. Some injuries do not show up right away and could take days or weeks to show up and reveal their full extent. A medical professional is the best resource in determining what injuries you may have sustained. If you delay medical treatment, your lack of action could be used against you in a truck accident claim. The insurance company could argue that you added to your own pain and suffering by postponing your treatment or that your injuries must not have been as serious as you are claiming.

Hire a Redding Truck Accident Lawyer

Once you have sought medical care, the next step in preserving your rights is to hire a truck accident lawyer in Redding. The sooner you retain legal counsel, the sooner you can be free from speaking to the insurance company or anyone representing them. They are no longer allowed to talk to you directly but must go through your attorney instead. Not only does this save you the hassle and potential emotional upheaval of speaking with them, but it also protects you from saying something that could be detrimental to your case.  Your attorney will help guide you through the legal claims process and protect your legal rights to help you get the most compensation possible.

Documentation

Next, you will want to keep a record of your pain and suffering. These types of damages can be challenging to prove in a personal injury case, as they are entirely subjective. It is up to you to establish the extent of your suffering and pain. Be sure to keep a record of:

• Your level of pain
• Ways in which your pain impacts your daily life
• Any trouble sleeping
• Any activities in which you cannot participate such as your typical exercise routine or driving your children to school

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Redding Truck Accident Attorney Today

As tempting as it may be, now is not the time to post about your accident or discuss your injuries on social media. This day in age, insurance companies and their attorneys hire individuals and companies to stalk plaintiffs on social media. They scour your accounts for statements or pictures about the accident or your activities since the accident to be used against you. Although privacy settings can help keep your information away from these digital stalkers, it is best to stay away from social media altogether as they are not foolproof, and your case is not worth the risk.

After a truck accident occurs, rely on an experienced attorney to help protect your legal rights. You can begin protecting your rights today by scheduling your free case consultation. Start by calling Maire & Deedon at 530-246-6050, or if you prefer, use our online contact form.