Truck accidents are rarely minor events. If you are hit by a mail truck, for instance, and you are driving a smaller vehicle, it is most likely that you will be injured more than the mil truck driver.
If the accident was the driver’s fault, you have the right to claim fair compensation for the cost of medical treatment, lost earnings and the pain and suffering you have felt.
You will need to prove that the accident was the driver’s fault and that the injury you are claiming for happened as the result of the crash. Your doctor can provide useful evidence to back up your claim.
You will find that a personal injury attorney can help with legal advice and negotiate on your behalf.
Making a Personal Injury Claim
A successful personal injury claim depends on establishing that the other driver, the driver in this case, was negligent.
Evidence from witnesses at the crash scene, the police report, a damage report to your vehicle and any photos you are able to take, can help prove that the driver was to blame for the accident.
You will also need to provide documentary evidence of any injuries you have received together with treatment provided, bills for treatment, doctor’s visits, damage to your vehicle, alternative transport costs and lost earnings.
Each state has slightly different rules about personal injury claims. For example, if you are in a no-fault state, you will not be able to claim damages for personal injury unless your injuries are severe, although you can claim compensation for any damage to your own vehicle. Statutes of limitations in each state impose a time limit on claims, too.
How Your Doctor Can Help You With a Claim
It is important to see your doctor after any vehicle accident, even if you think you were not injured. Some injures such as whiplash do not always appear until later on.
Your doctor’s report and recommendations for further medical treatment and medication will be a major part of the evidence you make available when you submit your claim. The more serious your injuries, the more important it is that you get an accurate account of the full cost of treatment.
Your doctor will also advise you when you should be able to return to work. Lost wages or other earnings are an important part of any personal injury claim. If your injuries are likely to be long term or permanent, you will find that your doctor will be able to confirm your inability to do the job you were doing before and your need for ongoing treatment or support. This can have a lot of weight when calculating compensation for future needs.
Discuss Your Accident and Injuries With a Personal Injury Attorney First
An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to determine whether you have a good chance of obtaining compensation. If you do, then the attorney will help negotiate with the insurer more skillfully than you are likely to do all by yourself.
Additional Resources
*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Fedex, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
