The actions you take after your Chicago truck accident can either protect or endanger your rights. To keep yourself on the safe side of the equation following a collision, be sure to seek medical attention—regardless of how you feel. You should also gather as much information as you can and resist the urge to admit fault for the crash.
These actions are just some of the ways that you can protect your rights after a truck accident. A lawyer can guide you through any other steps that could help you recover compensation for your damages.
A common mistake that many accident victims make is refusing medical attention at the scene of the collision. By having their injuries detected at the scene, the accident victim draws a direct line that connects their injuries to the collision—a critical aspect of establishing liability.
Whether motivated by bravado or a sincere belief that they have not suffered injuries, these individuals have unwittingly chipped away at their potential for recovering damages.
If you failed to receive medical attention at the accident scene, you can partially recover from this oversight by visiting with a medical provider as soon as possible. Do this even if you “feel fine” or note any injuries that require medical treatment. A medical doctor will know how to check for certain types of injuries that have not yet shown symptoms—or at least not to your knowledge.
Most importantly, the early detection of damaged organs, internal bleeding, or brain injuries (for example) will facilitate your treatment and recovery. Furthermore, by having a doctor fully document your injuries, you can gather evidence to connect your injuries to the crash. Seeking medical attention can help you protect your rights after a truck accident.
A personal injury case is only as strong as the evidence that supports it. When your lawyer begins to build your case, they will rely on evidence to supplement various aspects of your case.
The evidence that you and your legal team collect will need to show that:
Your lawyer will conduct an investigation of your truck accident and gather vital pieces of information.
You can help your attorney’s investigative efforts by gathering as much information as possible. This may begin from the moment you visit your doctor. Anything that pertains to the crash, such as your medical bills and property damage receipts, could help your case.
Other information that could supplement your case includes:
Your lawyer can explain what other information could potentially promote your case’s success.
Accidents have a funny way of evoking empathy. In the swirl of heightened emotions following a crash, victims can feel a strong urge to rush forward with apologies––even if the other driver caused the accident. Resist the urge to say, “I’m sorry,” and definitely do not elaborate about how you caused or contributed to the collision.
An insurer might surprise you with a nice, empathetic call soon after the collision. This compassion may cause you to let your guard down and share information about how the accident happened. Know this: anything that you say to an insurance representative can and will be used against you. A lawyer can speak with the insurance company and provide them with the necessary information.
To protect yourself further from your own words, refrain from talking about the accident with anyone—whether on social media or in personal conversations—until you have spoken with a lawyer. They can advise you on what you should and should not say.
The above tips represent model behavior following a crash. If you were not able to take these steps after your accident, do not be distressed. A lawyer can investigate your case and fight to get you the compensation you deserve. They can also explain how Illinois’ statute of limitations, outlined under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, applies to you.
Call The Kryder Law Group, LLC for a free case evaluation at (312) 223-1700.