Trucks are a way of life in Kentucky. Truckers are the lifeblood of industry; the construction workers that build our homes rely on their pickups; and simply getting from point A to point B on a given day is best done in your own truck. Not to mention the thrill that comes with driving a big, powerful vehicle. Accidents happen though, and when they do, you need to have a plan.
Life after an accident is different. Your truck is damaged, for one. Insurance companies are often quick to send money for damages, but rarely give as much as you need. You also may be injured and not even know it. If you are, there’re medical bills and lost wages to contend with.
Injuries
Trucks are big, sturdy and dependable. That’s no excuse to become complacent after an accident, though. Even a fender bender can cause injuries that you don’t notice right away. This is one reason it is so important to visit a doctor immediately after a collision, even if you don’t think you’re hurt. It can make a huge difference further down the road.
Brain injuries
We’ve discussed the signs of brain injuries after an accident in previous posts. Remember that symptoms can take days or even weeks to surface. If you suddenly start getting bad headaches, feel dizzy or start to feel numbness, there is a chance you’ve injured your brain. This is serious. See a doctor immediately and consider finding legal counsel.
Nerve damage
Like brain injuries, nerve damage is serious and can take time to make itself known. In the wake of a truck accident, if you suddenly start noticing tingles in your fingers or toes, get “pins-and-needles” feelings or experience numbness, your nerves may have been damaged in the collision. Nerve damage is complicated and expensive to fix. Holding those at fault accountable is critical.
Undiagnosed fractures
Minor fractures can be just as dangerous as brain or nerve injuries. For example, it’s not uncommon for someone to suffer a minor wrist fracture in an accident without realizing it. You might notice some soreness in the weeks that follow, but decide to shake it off. Painkillers will only take you so far, though.
The reality is that each day when you go to work, lift at the gym, drive your truck and live daily life, you are stressing an already damaged bone. You could be breaking and rebreaking the same fracture, leading to serious and even permanent damage.
Don’t wait to go to the hospital to get checked out. If you do end up having to go to court, hard evidence of how and when you were injured is vital. The longer you wait, the harder it is to prove that your injuries were from the accident.
Insurance companies
Money is always a difficult subject after an accident. Odds are insurance companies will be the ones to do the paying, which means they will become just as difficult to deal with.
Between paying to have your truck fixed, hefty medical bills and wages you could lose from not being able to work, money can get tight very quickly. This is a time when having someone on your side that knows the law is critical.
The first priority for an insurance company is often to convince you to accept a settlement that is most cost effective for them. An experienced attorney will know how to deal with big insurance companies on their terms. They have studied the laws and know how to use them to make sure you’re awarded appropriate compensation to get your life back on track
Being in a truck accident can have a major impact on your life. They are frustrating, expensive and can put you out of work. There is nothing wrong with looking for fair compensation – seize it when you can.
