Top Mistakes to Avoid After a Tractor-Trailer Truck Accident in Georgia
Crashes involving semi-trucks are not like typical car accidents. There are several complicating factors that may come into play, like federal regulations, additional liable parties, and big trucking companies that know how to play hardball when it comes to protecting their bottom line. In these cases, a single mistake can lead to lost compensation or a claim that gets denied.
At Butler Prather LLP, we’ve represented clients across Georgia who were seriously injured in collisions with tractor-trailers. In this blog, we’ll be sharing tips for avoiding the top tractor-trailer accident mistakes we’ve see accident victims make.
Not Calling Law Enforcement Immediately
Always call 911 and report a truck crash. Law enforcement will create an official accident report, document the scene, and collect witness statements. A police report helps lock in key facts and makes it more difficult for trucking companies to play fast and loose with the facts.
Delaying Medical Treatment
After a crash, the full impact of serious injuries like head trauma, internal bleeding, whiplash, and nerve damage might not be apparent right away. Don’t wait! Get checked by a medical professional as soon as possible.
Prompt medical care is essential for the healing process, and it also links your injuries directly to the crash. This will prevent insurance companies from arguing that delays in treatment mean that your injuries aren’t serious.
Failing to Preserve Evidence
Time is of the essence after a tractor-trailer crash. Your Georgia truck accident attorney can take active steps to protect critical evidence like black box data, maintenance logs, and dashcam footage by sending a spoliation letter, which is a legal document requiring the trucking company to preserve evidence.
To help your attorney build a solid case, you can take the following steps after an accident:
- Capture photos recording vehicle positions and damage, road conditions, skid marks, and injuries.
- Collect insurance information from drivers involved in the collision.
- Gather contact information from all witnesses.
Speaking With Insurance Adjusters
One of the most common tractor-trailer accident mistakes is talking to an insurance company agent without legal representation. Adjusters may call within hours of a crash, asking for a recorded statement about the accident. Don’t do it!
Refer all communication to your attorney. Let them handle interactions with insurance companies so you don’t accidentally weaken your claim.
Accepting an Early Settlement Offer
It’s not unusual for a trucking company, or their insurance company, to offer a quick cash settlement soon after a crash. When medical bills are piling up, it might feel like a lifeline. But early settlement offers are almost always far below the true value of your case.
Once you accept a settlement, you waive your right to seek additional compensation, even if your injuries get worse or you discover additional medical problems.
An experienced Georgia truck accident attorney can fully assess your damages, including future lost income, long-term medical care, and pain and suffering. Don’t settle for less than you deserve.
Posting on Social Media
Your social media accounts are not private. Insurance companies will comb through your posts, pictures, comments, and tags to find evidence that undermines your claim.
Don’t post about the accident, your injuries, or your recovery. Avoid photos or videos that show you engaging in physical activities. And ask friends not to tag you in any posts during your case.
Failing to Investigate All Liable Parties
Truck accident cases are rarely simple. The driver may be at fault, but liability might also fall on the trucking company, a third-party maintenance provider, a cargo loader, drivers in other vehicles, and the manufacturer of a defective parts, like faulty truck braking systems.
A skilled Georgia truck accident attorney will investigate all potentially liable parties and determine if federal trucking regulations were violated. This can significantly increase the value of your claim and improve your chances of recovering maximum compensation.
Underestimating Long-Term Injuries
After a crash, it’s easy to focus on immediate concerns, like getting your car fixed and paying hospital bills. But tractor-trailer crashes often lead to permanent injuries, chronic pain, or disabilities that affect every part of your life.
Accepting a quick settlement or estimating your damages without accounting for the cost of future care can leave you without resources when you need them most. You may require long-term assistance such as physical therapy, multiple surgeries, mental health support, or in-home living care.
Believing You Can Handle It Alone
Many accident victims believe they can negotiate directly with the insurance company and get a fair deal. Unfortunately, that rarely happens, especially when you’re going up against well-heeled trucking companies.
Truck accident litigation is complex. It involves federal safety regulations and corporate liability issues. Going it alone gives the other side an enormous advantage.
The experienced litigators at Butler Prather LLP aren’t intimidated by anybody. In fact, we’ve won some of largest verdicts in Georgia history. We know how to build winning cases against major trucking firms.
Waiting Too Long to Take Legal Action
In Georgia, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is two years. But waiting until the deadline approaches can severely weaken your case.
You’ll want to start working with a Georgia personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. The earlier your legal team is involved, the greater opportunity they’ll have to preserve evidence, protect your rights, and pursue full compensation.
Speak With an Experienced Columbus GA Truck Accident Lawyer
At Butler Prather LLP, we understand how overwhelming a tractor-trailer crash can be. We’ve spent decades standing up to trucking companies and getting justice for people like you.
When you work with us, you get a dedicated legal team that knows the tactics used by insurance companies, and we know how to beat them. We have a well-earned reputation for thorough investigations, aggressive advocacy, and unwavering commitment to your best interests.
Call (706) 322-1990 to learn more today from a Columbus tractor-trailer accident lawyer.
It’s not just a case. It’s your life.