After being injured in a truck accident, it might feel intimidating to file a personal injury lawsuit. Insurance companies can be fierce, and the thought of facing them in court is overwhelming.
If you’re considering filing a lawsuit for injuries sustained in a truck accident, know that you’re not alone. Between 2011 and 2021, fatal truck crashes increased by 49%. That’s a concerning number. Many of those people filed lawsuits and recovered compensation with the help of a skilled attorney. This is something you can do as well.
Does the idea of facing a lawsuit alone make you anxious? With a lawyer on your side, you will be in good hands. They’ll fight hard for you in the courtroom no matter how hard the other party tries to diminish your claims.
Your attorney will fight so you can relax
Personal injury attorneys are used to the intensity of insurance companies desperately trying to hang onto their money and not pay out on justified claims. This is all too common in the industry since insurance companies are for-profit businesses. This won’t be your concern because your attorney will know exactly what to say and how to prove your case.
Know that you won’t have to deal with any pressure from the other party. You’ll be present and will likely need to speak, but your lawyer will take all the heat and advise you on what to say and do at all times.
You shouldn’t have to pay your own medical bills
There is no reason to pay your medical bills out of pocket or allow yourself to fall into debt to the point where you need to declare bankruptcy. When your injuries are not your fault, the person who caused them should be the one to cover your bills. Usually, it’s their insurance company who will pay, so don’t feel bad about filing a lawsuit. Insurance companies have plenty of capital to pay claims – they just make it hard to get, which is why a lawsuit is required.
4 Tips to win your truck accident lawsuit
Going forward, here are some tips to help you win your lawsuit.
1. Hire a personal injury lawyer
The most important factor in winning your truck accident case is hiring a lawyer like this one. If you try to represent yourself, you probably won’t win. If you do, you’re likely to get only a tiny fraction of the compensation you would have received with legal representation. No matter how confident you might be about winning, once you get into the courtroom, you will be intimidated by the environment.
Worse, you’ll be expected and required to follow all courtroom procedures even if you don’t know the rules. The first time you have to file a motion and hold up the proceedings because you did it wrong, you’ll quickly realize you need an attorney. Don’t leave anything up to chance. Get legal representation as soon as possible. If you don’t have money for a lawyer, find one who works on a contingency. You won’t pay anything until or unless you win your case.
2. Keep detailed medical documentation
Documentation is critical for every lawsuit, but in personal injury cases, especially in no-fault states like Florida, winning your case hinges on medical documentation. You might be able to win some compensation in other states regardless, but no-fault states actually limit who can bypass insurance claims and file a personal injury lawsuit after a truck accident.
In Florida, for example, if your injuries don’t meet the requirements for being significant or permanent, you can’t sue the truck driver. If you file a lawsuit and can’t prove your injuries meet the state’s definition of a “serious injury,” you won’t win your case. The only way to prove this is through proper and thorough medical documentation.
3. Don’t skip medical appointments
Winning your case will require demonstrating that you are legitimately injured and taking steps to recover. One thing insurance companies nitpick about is skipping medical appointments without a good reason. When you don’t follow through with suggested care, it looks like you aren’t injured and don’t really need the money for medical bills.
4. Remain calm
Last, but not least, take a calm approach to your case and let your attorney handle the chaos, intensity, and any other stressful situations that may arise. Cases can get heated, but when you stay calm, you won’t be touched by the flames.
You deserve to be compensated for your injuries
Whether you were injured by a commercial semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or any other vehicle, don’t shy away from filing a lawsuit; don’t let fear stop you from pursuing the compensation you deserve.
