How Do I Know If I Have a Truck Accident Case?

If you have recently been involved in a truck accident and are unsure of whether you have a case or not, it is crucial that you call a lawyer right away. A Richmond truck accident attorney will take the time to listen to your experience, thoroughly look over the facts and circumstances of your accident, and help you determine if you have a valid truck accident case.

However, you should keep in mind that if you are questioning this, there is already a good chance that you do have a possible truck accident case. Here are seven other signs that may indicate that you have a truck accident case:

You have injuries

First and foremost, if you have been involved in any type of accident with a large semi-truck, there is a good possibility that you have some type of injury. Most of the time, victims of truck accidents will have severe and life-threatening injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and internal organ damage, that will affect them for the rest of their lives.

The reason for this is because a semi-truck is much bigger than an automobile, meaning that those in the automobile experience a tremendous amount of force or impact. However, if you only have minor injuries, this does not mean that you do not have a valid truck accident case. Instead, it simply means that you were not severely hurt but still deserve compensation for the injuries you did suffer.

You are receiving medical treatment for your injuries

One of the most critical steps that you can take after a truck accident is to seek medical attention immediately. If you choose not to do this, there will be no proof that you suffered injuries in the accident and are getting medical treatment. No matter how minor your injuries are, you should allow a licensed physician to check you out, assess your body, and run tests to make sure there are no injuries that cannot be visibly diagnosed.

Once your doctor creates a medical treatment plan tailored to you, continue following this treatment plan and ask for proof that you are attending each of your appointments. You can give your truck accident attorney these medical reports and documents to help you build a strong truck accident case against the defendant.

Your vehicle is damaged

Next, if you were struck by an 18-wheeler while driving a vehicle, there is a high likelihood that your vehicle experienced some type of damage. Due to the difference in size between a small automobile and an 18-wheeler, your vehicle may be completely totaled, which means that it is not fixable and will likely have to be replaced. However, regardless of what type of damage your vehicle sustained, the truck driver should be held accountable, and their insurance company should cover your auto mechanic or replacement fees.

You do not believe that you caused the truck accident

Individuals who have been in any type of accident typically have an idea of whether they caused the accident or not. If you believe that you did not cause and are not at fault for the truck accident, there is a good chance that you have a truck accident case. If you do think that you played a role in the accident, you should remember to never admit any fault and get in touch with a Richmond truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Since you do not initially know all the details of the accident, you may actually find out that you did not contribute to the accident in any way after your attorney finishes their investigation.

You suffered serious losses

In order to have a successful truck accident case, you will need to be able to show that you suffered serious losses as a result of the accident. Some of the most common losses include lost wages, medical expenses, vehicle repair costs, pain and suffering, mental trauma and distress, loss of quality of life, and more. It is recommended for you to make a list of the various losses that you experienced from the accident, and your attorney will stand up and demand reimbursement for each one.

You have documents related to the truck accident

If you are trying to determine if you have a truck accident case, one of the most important steps you can take is to make sure that you have documents related to the accident. This may be a police report, journal entries, medical reports, prescriptions, photographs, videos, and more. Any information that you have regarding your truck accident is essential to your case.

It can be used as evidence to support your side of the story. Therefore, you should make sure you file a police report, document your injuries and condition in a journal, keep all necessary medical information in a safe place, and take photos and record videos at the accident scene and of your injuries if possible.

There are witnesses who saw your accident

After your truck accident, it is important to look around and see if you notice anyone nearby. If you do, it may be a good idea to ask for their contact information. If they saw your truck accident occur, they may be able to be an eyewitness for you and provide testimony about what they saw occur, which could back up your claim. By showing that you have eyewitnesses who can provide a statement, you increase your chances of having a successful truck accident case.

The Richmond truck accident attorneys at Phelan Petty Injury Lawyers know and understand how traumatic and devastating these types of accidents are. At our firm, we treat everyone who walks through our doors with respect, compassion, understanding, and empathy. Therefore, if you want a lawyer who will see and value you as more than just a truck accident case, please call our office or fill out our contact form today. Although we are based in Richmond, we proudly serve and assist clients throughout Virginia.

Related on truck accidents in Richmond:

• What Kind of Proof Is Used in a Truck Accident Lawsuit?
• The Role of Insurance in a Truck Accident Case
• Seeking Damages for Emotional Distress from a Truck Accident
• Does a Truck’s Safety Technology Play a Role in an Accident Claim?
• Local Lane or Interstate Highway: How the Type of Road Affects a Truck Accident Case
• What Happens During Discovery in a Truck Accident Case?