Injured in a Truck Accident: Who Is Responsible for Paying Medical Bills?

An incident involving multiple vehicles is always very dangerous but the potential damage and injuries, if there was a truck involved, can be particularly serious due to the size and weight of the vehicle. If you have been hurt in an accident involving a truck then it is important that you take the right steps to obtain any compensation you deserve and ensure that the correct party is held responsible.

Here is a guide to the most important steps to take to ensure you are legally protected and your medical and vehicle bills are covered.

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1. Hire an Experienced Accident Lawyer

When you are involved in any kind of vehicle accident, but particularly one as serious as an incident with a truck, the first thing you need to do is hire an experienced accident lawyer. You can learn more about what a lawyer can do for you at https://www.davidchristensenlaw.com/michigan-truck-accident-attorney/trucking-laws/, but first and foremost they can relieve you of the burden and stress of a case. Even if it is quite obvious that the truck driver was responsible for the accident, that doesn't mean that it is going to be straightforward or they are going to accept blame. 

Your lawyers will know how to prepare your case, gather all of the evidence required, and deal with the other side. The majority of accident attorneys don't get paid unless they win the case or secure a settlement so it is in their best interest to do the absolute best job they can. 

2. Get Immediate Medical Treatment

Truck accidents can cause major issues and if you don't get them looked at straight away then you could make the problems worse. You will also need to obtain the medical records to give to your attorney so that they can include them as evidence when they are preparing your case. Many people think they are okay immediately following an accident because adrenaline is pumping and shock sets in and so they don't feel any pain. Go straight to the hospital and let the medical professionals take a look at you and decide what treatment you need.

3. Do Not Admit Responsibility

It is possible that you think you were at fault for the accident but it is very important that you don't admit responsibility either at the scene or later. First of all, you may just be shaken up and not thinking straight. An incident with a bigger vehicle like a truck can be very traumatic but don't let the other driver use this as an opportunity to absolve themselves of responsibility. If anyone starts to get irate at the scene of the accident, call the police to ensure you stay safe.

4. Take Down the Truck Driver's Details

As long as everyone is remaining calm and reasonable, speak to the other drivers and get their details and driver information. This means their name, contact details, driving license number, license plate number, and if they are a commercial truck driver, the name and contact details of their company. If they refuse to give you any of those details or you suspect they have given you fake information, just take a note of their license plate number, a description of their truck, and a description of them which you can give to your attorneys and the police.

5. Try to Negotiate an Out-Of-Court Settlement

Even relatively simple accident lawsuits can drag on and put everyone under a lot of stress. Whenever possible, it is often better to try and reach a settlement out of court. Find out what the truck driver and their representatives are willing to offer you and check with your attorney how much compensation you are likely to be awarded if the case were to go to court. 

6. File a Lawsuit and Present Your Case in Court

If no settlement can be reached then you can instruct your attorney to file a lawsuit against the truck driver and/or their company on your behalf. Both sides' legal teams will present their evidence as well as all bills and financial losses and the jury will then decide who was responsible for the accident and what compensation the other party is owed.

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Truck accidents are very hazardous and they can cause so much damage, trauma, and injury. If you have been involved in an incident with a truck then make sure you seek medical attention and hire an experienced attorney to represent you. They will take care of everything and allow you to just focus on recovering from your injuries.

Jessica Tanner

Update 14 March 2021