Being involved in a large truck accident is often a traumatic and life-changing experience. The aftermath of such an incident is overwhelming and filled with physical, emotional, and financial challenges. In these trying times, it’s vital to remain vigilant and avoid making mistakes that can jeopardize your well-being, especially when seeking rightful compensation for your losses.
Here’s what you should know about Virginia truck crash mistakes and how The Mottley Law Firm will help guide your decision-making process to protect your case. 
8 Common Mistakes After a Truck Accident
In all the confusion after a collision with a commercial truck, it’s easy to overlook certain things, but unfortunately, these actions can hurt your case. Here are some of the key mistakes to avoid.
1. Not Seeking Immediate Medical Attention
Even if your injuries seem minor at first, some injuries don’t manifest symptoms right away. Delaying medical treatment not only worsens your condition but also weakens your claim for compensation. Insurance companies may dispute that your injuries weren’t related to the accident.
2. Not Calling the Police
Make sure to call 911 and have law enforcement assess the scene. An official police report provides a record of the accident and is crucial when establishing liability and documenting the events leading to the crash.
3. Admitting Fault
It’s only natural to want to be polite, but admitting fault or even apologizing at the accident scene can be detrimental to your case. Fault determination should be left to the authorities and insurance companies.
4. Failing to Gather Evidence
Collecting evidence such as photographs, witness statements, and contact information is vital to support your case. Without these facts, proving liability is more challenging.
5. Speaking With Insurance Adjusters Without an Attorney
Insurance adjusters may seem friendly and concerned, but their primary objective is to minimize their company's financial liability. You’re under no obligation to provide a statement without legal advice from your Virginia truck accident lawyer. This safeguards against unintentional self-incrimination or inadequate compensation.
6. Settling Too Quickly
Rushing into a compensation agreement with the other party’s insurer can be a costly mistake. Work with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney to assess the full extent of your injuries and damages before agreeing to any type of settlement. Once you accept, you typically cannot seek additional compensation.
7. Not Considering Future Expenses
Failing to consider future medical expenses, rehabilitation, and lost earning potential might result in insufficient compensation.
8. Failing to Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer
One of the most important things to do after a truck accident is to talk with an experienced truck accident lawyer. At The Mottley Law Firm, we encourage you to come to a consultation with a list of essential questions so we can fully understand your concerns, clearly outline how we’ll work to protect your rights, and help you avoid costly mistakes that could affect the outcome of your case.
Why It’s Important to Avoid Mistakes After a Virginia Truck Crash
From the start, work with a legal team that’s dedicated to building a solid foundation for your case. This helps protect your potential compensation. Here are the steps we take at our firm to ensure costly mistakes don’t interfere with the progress of your case.
Preserving Evidence
Properly handling the aftermath of a truck accident secures important evidence. This information is essential in proving liability and securing a fair settlement or verdict.
Protecting Your Rights
Avoiding mistakes helps protect your legal rights. As the victim of a truck accident that wasn’t your fault, you deserve to seek compensation for your injuries, and making mistakes that weaken your claim could result in a denial of justice.
Maximizing Compensation
Avoiding common pitfalls increases your chances of receiving the maximum compensation available. An economic and non-economic damages settlement helps cover medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Holding Responsible Parties Accountable
Truck accidents often involve multiple parties, including trucking companies, drivers, and maintenance providers. Avoiding mistakes ensures that all potential parties are held accountable for their negligence.
