Visit a doctor immediately after a truck accident. Even if you do not have visible injuries, make a point of seeking medical attention. You might have suffered underlying injuries that can worsen if you delay treatment.
In addition, waiting too long to see a doctor after an accident may hurt the amount of compensation the insurance company or court will award you.
What Are Common Injuries Sustained in a Truck Accident?
Truck accidents can have more devastating effects in comparison to car accidents. The size and weight of these trucks increase their likelihood of inflicting serious injuries to victims during crashes. Some truck accident injuries you will notice immediately include:
- Broken bones, cuts, bruises, and/or lacerations
- Amputation and/or disfigurement of some of your body parts
- Burns
“Invisible injuries” is another category of injuries that you may sustain during the accident. You will not notice these injuries immediately, as their name suggests. However, they may develop into serious conditions if you do not treat them early enough. Examples of “invisible injuries” are:
- Whiplash: It refers to injuries on the soft tissue of the vertebrae. Whiplash symptoms include frequent headaches, neck pain, and dizziness.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): You may experience ringing ears, nausea, blurry vision, and short-term memory loss when you have TBI.
- Emotional distress: This manifests itself in various ways. Some people suffer from insomnia after an accident, while others experience heightened phobias. PTSD is also common after a truck crash.
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Why Is It Important to Seek Medical Help After a Truck Accident?
A medical evaluation reveals the types of injuries and their severity. Doctors are in a better position to treat these injuries when they discover them at their earlier stages.
Medical documentation is crucial to proving liability in a truck accident case. Seeing a doctor as soon as you can after the accident puts you in a prime position to document all the injuries you suffered. Doctors may fail to record some of the truck accident injuries if you delay seeking medical assistance. Perhaps some of the injuries will have healed by then.
What Should You Do After a Truck Accident?
If you are able, take these steps after a truck accident:
- Call for medical assistance.
- Inform the police to come to the accident scene immediately.
- Collect the truck driver’s contact, insurance, and employment information.
Document your injuries while they are still fresh by taking photographs of the affected areas. These photos, together with the medical documentation of the injuries from a doctor, will be invaluable when you file your claims.
However, if your injuries are serious after an accident, do not trouble yourself collecting all this information. Prioritize your safety by checking into a healthcare facility.
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Which Damages Can You Recover for Your Injuries?
The severity of your injuries and the evidence you present to the insurer or the court will be instrumental in determining damages for your injuries. They may award both economic and non-economic damages for the injuries you sustain.
The economic damages that you may get from the at-fault party include:
- Lost wages to cover for earnings lost as a result of treating the injuries
- Reduced earning capacity
- Present and future medical expenses
- Vehicle repair bills
- Miscellaneous expenses to cover unforeseen extra costs, such as parking fees for hospital visitations
You may also pursue non-economic damages, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Mental anguish
How Long Should You Wait Before Filing Your Truck Accident Case?
Each insurance company has its own deadline for filing a claim. If you want to file a lawsuit, how long you have to take action depends on your state and the circumstances of your truck accident. Timing is crucial in truck accident cases, as it impacts the damages you will receive.
Filing your case too early may deprive you of some compensation, as some injuries may manifest long afterward. Waiting for too long to file the case may also reduce the compensation. Evidence deteriorates as time goes by. Furthermore, you risk violating the statute of limitations.
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Let a Truck Accident Attorney at Our Firm Help You With Your Case
Going to the doctor as soon as you can after a truck accident is crucial—not just for your health but also for the validity of your case.
The attorneys from Isaacs and Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers have a combined legal experience of over 400 years. We have recovered $1 billion in settlements for our clients. Get in touch with us at 1-800-800-8888 for a free consultation today.
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