You've Been In a Truck Accident. Now What?
At Humphrey, Farrington & McClain, we represent clients every year who have suffered injuries in motor vehicle accidents. In most cases, the injured party is trying to file a claim against another automobile insurance company. Victims generally get the ball rolling by calling their own insurer. But in accidents involving large semi-trucks and commercial vehicles, it isn't always so clear what to do next. Large freight companies are often self-insured or there are multiple layers of liability, including subcontractors responsible for truck maintenance and the freight loading contractors.
Our firm has more than a quarter century of experience representing victims in truck accident claims in Kansas City and in communities throughout Missouri, Kansas and the United States. While no two truck accidents are ever alike, our experienced trial attorneys have learned there are some common factors to recover maximum compensation for your injuries.
- Call 911 immediately to report the wreck.
- Do not take your injuries for granted. Even if you think you were not injured, get checked out by a medical professional. Some types of injuries, such as brain and spinal injuries, may take days or even weeks to appear. You may not immediately feel the symptoms. To recover money damages for your injuries, you will need to document your recovery and physical therapy.
- Do not sign anything about your health condition. Anything you put into writing may be used to argue against the seriousness of your injuries.
- Do not discuss your accident or injuries with any insurance agent. Restrict your discussions about the accident to the police officers on the scene.
- Do write down the names and contact information of witnesses at the scene of the accident, as soon as you are physically able to do so. Truck companies are quick to have someone on the scene, putting their own favorable spin on the evidence. Your case will rely on witnesses telling their version of events.
- Do contact an experienced truck accident personal injury lawyer as soon as you are physically able. If you cannot, then make sure someone in your immediate family does. Yes, that means the day of the accident, if possible. Your attorney will want to be on the scene, investigating on your behalf immediately.
- Do exactly what your attorney instructs during the investigation and preparation of your case. After you have retained legal representation, the other side is bound by law to work through your lawyer only. That includes releasing records and documentation to insurance companies.
- Do follow your prescribed treatment to the letter. That means taking prescription medicines correctly and following your schedule of doctor visits and physical rehabilitation. Always assume that someone from the truck company IS paying attention.
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From our offices in Independence, Missouri, our lawyers represent clients in courtrooms throughout Missouri, Kansas, and the United States. Contact us to arrange a free consultation.
