Getting hit by a truck is a scary and traumatizing experience, especially if you were left with substantial injuries and a mountain of medical bills. It can feel hopeless to try to file a claim against a truck driver and the large corporation they are employed by, but it is your best chance at getting the financial help you need to recover.
The good news is that you don’t have to face your legal challenges alone. The lawyers at Pacific West Injury Law have decades of combined experience, and we are ready to help you hold the guilty party accountable.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Seattle
Being involved in a truck accident is terrifying, and many people are so overwhelmed by the event that they don’t follow the proper protocols. Plus, many truck accidents result in severe enough injuries to warrant the need for an ambulance and emergency medical care, leaving those involved unable to gather evidence at the scene of the accident. As soon as you are able, it is in your best interest to do the following after a truck accident:
Call the Police
If you are able, call the police right away to have an officer come out and investigate the scene of the accident and file a police report. Police reports are one of the most important pieces of evidence you can have on your side when negotiating a settlement or going to court, as they provide a third-party perspective from a public servant.
Failure to call the police or get a police report filed can make it far more difficult for you to successfully argue that the other party was clearly at fault and that you deserve compensation.
Collect and Organize Evidence
If you are lucky enough to get out of a truck accident with only minor injuries, or none at all, you should take several photos and videos at the scene of the accident. It’s helpful to get images at different angles of the vehicles themselves and the surrounding area. When possible, collect the names and contact information of witnesses, and exchange insurance information with the other driver.
Also be sure to keep your medical records, such as hospital bills, notes from physicians, and more, organized to make it easy to show that your injuries resulted from the accident. This can help your lawyer fight for more compensation when it comes to medical bill damages. Finally, a written account of what happened that day from your perspective can provide evidence too, especially if you write it shortly after the accident occurred.
Get in Touch with a Skilled Lawyer
As soon as you are able, contact a trusted car accident lawyer who can advise you on the proper procedures in the aftermath of a truck accident. They may be able to help you track down witnesses, gather more evidence, and start the claim filing process. The sooner you get in touch with a lawyer after your accident, the better chance you have to receive fair compensation.
Types of Compensation You May Be Able to Collect
Those involved in a truck accident may be able to collect several types of compensation, including:
Medical Bills
Many truck accident victims require extensive medical care for their injuries, and those bills can add up in the blink of an eye. Medical bill compensation helps you cover the cost of the medical care you needed immediately after the accident and the ongoing care you will need in the future.
Lost Wages
Those who are unable to work after a truck accident injury are eligible to receive lost wages. Lost wages are calculated by multiplying the victim’s average hourly wage by the number of hours they missed of work due to their injuries. Even if you are self-employed, you may be able to collect lost wages.
Pain and Suffering
Being in a truck accident is traumatic, and it can cause tremendous mental and physical anguish. Pain and suffering damages compensate you for all that you have endured since being in the truck accident. Depending upon your unique situation, you may be eligible to collect thousands of dollars from pain and suffering alone.
Before you can collect these damages, however, you and your lawyer must prove that the other party was more than 51% responsible for the accident. This means that if you share 50% of the blame for causing the accident, you won’t be able to file a claim.
Seattle Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Near Me
For a free legal consultation with a catastrophic injury lawyer serving Seattle, call:
Contact Pacific West Injury Law for Your Truck Accident Today
Working with a qualified attorney early on can help ensure that your claim gets filed early and correctly and that you won’t have to face whatever legal challenges come your way alone. We can help you prove the other party’s negligence and negotiate a higher settlement on your behalf, or we will fight for you until the end if your case goes to court.
You deserve the best legal representation, and we want to help you get the compensation you deserve. For a free case review, please contact us today. We are available 24/7, and we can help you determine the viability of your case.
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For a free legal consultation with a catastrophic injury lawyer serving Seattle, call:
