If you suffered injuries in a truck accident because of the negligence of a truck driver, you may assume that the process will go relatively smoothly. However, in many cases, mistakes made by the injured party can lead to a significant decrease in the compensation they can recover—and may actually result in little to no compensation at all, especially when compared to the damages suffered. Make sure you are familiar with these mistakes to avoid in Marion truck accident cases and how you can protect your rights.
If you were involved in a truck accident caused by negligence, enlist the help of a dedicated truck accident attorney to avoid the following mistakes.
Mistake #1: Understanding the Severity of Damages
One of the top mistakes to avoid in Marion truck accident cases is understating the severity of the damages sustained in the accident. Many people suffer severe injuries or face enormous economic losses, but when they report those damages to the insurance company, they dial them down. Ultimately, that can limit the funds paid out and may mean that the injured person misses out on much-needed and much-deserved compensation.
Mistake #2: Accepting Fault
After a serious accident, many people want to lean into those Southern manners to help lift some of the weight from the shoulders of the liable party. Often, this takes the form of accepting partial fault for the accident, for example, admitting they failed to notice a hazard or excusing the truck driver’s error as a common mistake.
Because of the state’s modified comparative fault policy, when an injured person accepts even part of the fault, it can reduce the compensation they can recover by the associated amount. For example, if they accept 10% of the fault for the accident, they can recover only 90% of the damages they sustained.
Mistake #3: Failing to Contact a Lawyer
One of the biggest mistakes in Marion truck accident cases is not contacting an attorney. Truck accident investigations can prove highly complicated. Not only do lawyers and insurance companies have to look at the factors that led directly to the accident, they may have to examine other elements: the trucking company’s policies, the maintenance history on the truck, and a host of other factors that may contribute to the accident and change the balance of liability. Handling those challenges alone can prevent the injured person from fully understanding who bears liability for the accident and may reduce the compensation they can recover.
Mistake #4: Ignoring Medical Advice
Not only should the injured person make sure to seek medical care as soon after the truck accident as possible, but they should also follow the advice of their medical providers. When an injured person ignores medical advice or fails to take care of the important elements of their care, including engaging in activities the medical provider recommends they avoid, the insurance company may hold them liable for any increased damages, and that may mean that they cannot recover compensation for some of those losses.
Contact a Lawyer to Ensure No Mistakes Are Made in Your Truck Accident Case
There are many mistakes to avoid in Marion truck accident cases, whether you are just beginning interactions with the insurance company or working to maximize your recovery. Handling your case on your own can make it difficult for you to avoid those devastating mistakes, especially if you do not know what they are.
At Whetstone Perkins & Fulda, we handle every aspect of the claim process and assist our clients as they seek to avoid those key mistakes. Contact us to learn more about how you can successfully navigate your truck accident claim with the help of our experienced truck accident attorneys.
