A crash with a semi-truck or tractor-trailer can turn your life upside down in seconds. These massive 80,000 pound 18-wheelers can cause devastating damage that forever changes lives. The
truck accident attorneys of Metier Law Firm have seen these types of crashes and the injuries they can inflict many times over our 40 years of representing victims.
The
aftermath of a truck accident is overwhelming for you and your family. You might be dealing with severe pain, worried about paying your bills, or unsure how to get your car repaired. Insurance adjusters start calling while you're still trying to process what happened. The trucking company's lawyers are already building their defense. Meanwhile, you're just trying to figure out how to get your life back on track.
That's why the steps you take immediately after a truck crash are so crucial. One wrong move – like saying the wrong thing to an insurance adjuster or waiting too long to see a doctor – can seriously damage your personal injury claim. The trucking industry has teams of lawyers and investigators protecting their interests. You need to know how to protect yours.
At
Metier Law Firm, our truck accident lawyers have seen countless cases where simple mistakes cost victims the compensation they deserved. We don't want that to happen to you, so our team of top truck accident attorneys have helped to create this blog so that you and your loved ones know how to protect your rights and preserve your claim after what is likely a life changing truck accident.
Common Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Claim
Admitting Fault at the Scene
When you're involved in a crash with a semi-truck or big rig, your adrenaline is pumping, and you might not be thinking clearly. It's human nature to say "I'm sorry" or "I should have seen you coming" – even when the truck accident wasn't your fault. But here's the truth: these seemingly innocent comments can destroy your personal injury claim.
Trucking companies and their insurance providers will use any statement you make to shift blame onto you. Even if you think you might have contributed to the accident, don't discuss fault with anyone at the scene. The truck driver might pressure you to admit blame, or the police officer might ask leading questions. Stay polite but firm: simply state the facts about what happened and let your truck accident lawyer handle all discussions about who caused the crash.
Remember: in states like
Colorado,
Washington,
Wyoming,
Oregon, and
Nebraska, you can still recover damages even if you were partly at fault. That's why it's crucial to let your truck crash attorney evaluate liability rather than accidentally admitting to something that could reduce or eliminate your compensation.
Skipping Medical Care
Here's a scenario we see far too often: someone walks away from a semi truck
accident thinking they're just a bit sore, only to wake up days later barely able to move. The human body produces adrenaline and endorphins during traumatic events like truck crashes, which can mask serious injuries. What feels like minor discomfort at the scene could actually be:
- Herniated discs in your spine
- Internal bleeding
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Whiplash
- Nerve damage
Getting immediate medical care does two crucial things for your case. First, it ensures that hidden injuries are found and treated before they get worse. Second, it creates an official record linking your injuries directly to the truck accident. Without this documentation, the trucking company's lawyers might argue that your injuries came from something else, or that you made them worse by waiting to get treatment.
Even if you think you're okay, see a doctor within 24 hours of your crash with a semi truck. Take photos of any visible injuries, keep all medical records, and follow your doctor's treatment plan exactly. Your truck accident attorney will use this evidence to prove your damages and fight for fair compensation.
Talking to Insurance Companies
In the days after a truck crash, insurance adjusters will start calling. They'll sound concerned about your well-being and offer to help with immediate expenses. Don't be fooled – their job is to save their company money by paying you as little as possible for your personal injury claim.
These adjusters are professionally trained to get you to say things that hurt your case. They might:
- Ask for a recorded statement while you're still shaken up
- Try to get you to downplay your injuries
- Push you to accept a quick settlement before you know the full extent of your damages
- Ask trick questions designed to trap you into admitting partial fault
- Pressure you to sign medical releases that give them access to your entire medical history
The
best truck crash lawyers know these tactics and how to protect you from them. Let your truck accident attorney handle all communication with insurance companies. If an adjuster calls, simply tell them to contact your lawyer at Metier Law Firm. Don't discuss your injuries, don't agree to give statements, and definitely don't accept any settlement offers without having an experienced truck crash attorney review them first.
Remember: once you accept a settlement, you can't go back and ask for more money – even if your injuries turn out to be worse than you thought. That's why it's crucial to have a skilled personal injury lawyer evaluate the true value of your claim before agreeing to anything.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
Document Everything
- Take photos of all vehicle damage
- Get pictures of the accident scene
- Photograph the truck's license plate and DOT number
- Collect witness contact information
- Keep all medical records and receipts
File a Police Report
Some trucking companies might offer to settle privately, but always get an official police report. This creates crucial documentation for your truck crash lawyer to use when building your case.
Don't post anything about your truck accident online. Even private posts can be found and used against you by insurance companies or the trucking company's lawyers.
Track Your Expenses
Keep records of:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Transportation costs
- Property damage
- Prescription medications
- Medical equipment
- Home modifications
Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer
A
crash with a semi-truck isn't like a regular car accident. These cases involve
federal regulations, corporate trucking companies, and often multiple insurance policies. Without the best truck crash attorney on your side, you're going up against teams of corporate lawyers whose only job is to pay you as little as possible.
Expert Investigation Skills
When you hire a truck accident lawyer from Metier Law Firm, we immediately begin gathering crucial evidence. This includes:
- Accessing the truck's "black box" data recorder before it's erased
- Getting satellite tracking data that shows the truck's movement
- Interviewing witnesses while memories are fresh
- Having experts examine the crash scene for skid marks and debris patterns
- Reviewing traffic camera footage
- Taking photos of all vehicle damage before repairs begin
Understanding Complex Regulations
The trucking industry must follow strict federal and state rules. Your truck crash attorney needs to know these inside and out. We look for violations like:
- Drivers exceeding their legal hours behind the wheel
- Skipped maintenance checks
- Improper cargo loading
- Failed drug tests
- Inadequate driver training
- Falsified logbooks
- Missing safety equipment
Finding All Liable Parties
In a truck accident, multiple parties might share blame. Your truck crash lawyer will investigate everyone who might be responsible:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The maintenance contractor
- The cargo loading company
- The truck manufacturer
- Government entities responsible for road maintenance
- The broker who arranged the shipment
Calculating Your Full Damages
Our personal injury lawyers make sure to account for every way the truck accident has impacted your life:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
- Home modifications for disabilities
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
- Rental car expenses
- Family member impacts
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Truck accidents often involve multiple insurance policies with combined values in the millions. We know how to:
- Navigate complex insurance coverage issues
- Deal with aggressive insurance adjusters
- Identify all available insurance policies
- Fight lowball settlement offers
- Protect you from tricky insurance tactics
- Handle all communication with insurers
- Negotiate for maximum compensation
Understanding Medical Evidence
Your truck accident attorney will work with medical experts to:
- Document all your injuries properly
- Understand your long-term prognosis
- Calculate future medical needs
- Link your injuries directly to the crash
- Counter arguments that your injuries aren't serious
- Prove the full extent of your damages
Preparing for Trial
While most truck accident cases settle out of court, the best truck crash lawyers prepare every case as if it's going to trial. At Metier Law Firm, we:
- Build compelling evidence presentations
- Work with expert witnesses
- Handle all legal paperwork and deadlines
- Know how to counter defense strategies
- Have experience presenting to juries
- Fight for you in court if necessary
Remember: The trucking company will have lawyers working to protect their interests from the moment the crash happens. Having an experienced truck accident lawyer from Metier Law Firm ensures someone is fighting just as hard for you.
Don't Wait to Get Help - Time Is Critical After a Truck Accident
After a crash with a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, or other large commercial vehicle, the clock starts ticking immediately. While you're recovering from your injuries, the trucking company's team springs into action. They send investigators to the scene, start gathering evidence, and build their defense – all within hours of the accident.
Critical Evidence Can Vanish Fast
Without a truck accident lawyer protecting your interests, crucial evidence might be lost forever:
- The truck's black box data can be recorded over in as little as 24 hours
- Skid marks on the road wash away
- Vehicle damage gets repaired
- Witnesses' memories fade
- Security camera footage gets deleted
- Driver logs can be altered or "lost"
- Weather conditions change
- Physical evidence at the scene disappears
Legal Deadlines Matter
Every state has strict deadlines (called
statutes of limitations) for filing a personal injury claim after a truck crash. Missing these deadlines means losing your right to compensation forever. Your truck accident attorney needs time to:
- Investigate the accident properly
- Gather and analyze evidence
- Interview witnesses
- Consult with experts
- File necessary legal paperwork
- Build a strong case
The Trucking Company Is Already Working Against You
From the moment your crash with a semi-truck happens, the trucking company's legal team is:
- Sending their own investigators to the scene
- Taking photos that support their version of events
- Interviewing witnesses before you can
- Looking for ways to blame you for the accident
- Gathering evidence to minimize your claim
- Building their defense strategy
Why Early Legal Help Makes a Difference
Having the best truck crash lawyer on your side early can:
- Level the playing field against the trucking company
- Preserve crucial evidence before it disappears
- Prevent you from making costly mistakes
- Stop insurance companies from taking advantage of you
- Ensure your rights are protected from day one
- Build a stronger personal injury claim
- Maximize your chances of fair compensation
The experienced truck accident attorneys at Metier Law Firm understand that every hour counts after a tractor-trailer accident. We can start protecting your rights immediately while you focus on your recovery. The sooner you contact us, the more we can do to help you get the compensation you deserve.
If you've been injured in a truck accident, don't try to handle your personal injury claim alone. The experienced truck accident attorneys at Metier Law Firm understand what you're going through and know how to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Let our skilled legal team help you navigate this challenging time. Call us at 866-377-3800 or visit
www.metierlaw.com to schedule your
free consultation. Our dedicated personal injury lawyers will review your case and explain your options - at no cost to you.
