Truck accidents are rarely minor. Since trucks are so large and prone to dangerous conditions, such as rollovers or jackknifing, during a collision, most truck accidents cause serious injuries and vehicle damage. That being said, even if your truck accident does seem minor, you should still hire a truck accident lawyer – or at least consult with one.
At John Foy & Associates, we can help you build a strong case after a truck accident. Our Georgia truck accident lawyers have been helping truck accident injury victims win the compensation they deserve for the past 20 plus years. We understand the complexity surrounding these types of accidents.
Let us give you a FREE consultation to discuss your case and how we can help.
Why You Probably Still Need a Truck Accident Lawyer After a Minor Accident
It’s important to understand that even if a truck accident seems minor, it could be more serious than you initially realize. Medical bills can increase quickly, and seemingly minor vehicle damage might end up costing you thousands of dollars.
If you work with an experienced truck accident lawyer, they’ll make sure all of your damages are accounted for so you don’t get left paying bills for which you were not responsible. They’ll also make sure the insurance company doesn’t take advantage of you by getting you to agree to a lowball settlement or give out information that can be used against you.
Plus, if you don’t take action soon enough, you can miss out on any chance of compensation for these costs. According to Georgia Code § 9-3-33, the statute of limitations for most truck accident claims in Georgia is two years from the date of the accident. This time goes quickly, and you must file your claim within this timeframe. Your lawyer can make sure you are keeping up with all deadlines.
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How a Lawyer Helps After a Minor Accident
Let’s break down some specific ways a truck accident lawyer can help after an accident—even if it was minor.
Accounting for All of Your Truck Accident Damages
If you had any injuries or vehicle damage at all, it should not be discounted. As mentioned above, your damages may end up being worth a lot more than you initially realize.
If a truck driver rear ends you while moving at low speeds, for example, you might think it’s not a big deal at the moment. Maybe you are just glad the accident wasn’t worse and you want to move on with your life. However, a couple of weeks later, you have excruciating pain in your neck and discover that fender bender has caused internal damage to your vehicle that is gonna cost thousands.
Many of us have had the experience of taking a vehicle in to the mechanic, then finding out the repair costs are many times what we were expecting. This happens all the time with auto accidents, especially truck accidents. To make sure you are not left paying for costs weeks, months, or years down the road, you’ll need a truck accident lawyer who can account for all damages from the accident.
Communicating with the Insurance Company
Insurance companies do not like to pay out much on insurance claims. When it comes to truck accidents, there may be more than one insurance company involved. A lot of insurers will use tactics to reduce what they pay an injury victim, such as:
- Calling you soon after the accident and asking how you’re doing, then using something you say (such as, “I’m feeling okay”) against you later
- Offering you a lowball settlement, hoping you’ll take it and end your case
- Intimidating you into accepting a settlement quickly
- Making you feel like the first offer is the best you’re going to get
- Trying to blame you for some or all of the accident
Insurance companies can also make it seem like your accident was minor—when it really wasn’t. This is why you shouldn’t assume you’re dealing with a minor case until after you’ve spoken to an experienced truck accident lawyer. Your lawyer can communicate and negotiate with the insurance company for you so there’s no chance of them trying to manipulate or confuse you.
Protecting Your Legal Rights
Even if your accident was minor, you still have legal rights as an injury victim. If you did not cause your truck accident, you should not have to pay for the at-fault party’s mistakes. Things can get confusing after a truck accident, but a lawyer can help set things straight.
Your lawyer is also the one person you can know is for sure on your side. Since most personal injury lawyers work on contingency, they do not get paid unless they win you money. In other words, you know they are making decisions with your best interest in mind. To schedule a FREE consultation with John Foy & Associates to discuss the details, call us today at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
What You Should do After a Minor Truck Accident
Besides contacting a truck accident lawyer, here are some other ways you can start building your case and protecting your legal rights after a truck accident (minor or not):
- Taking pictures of the truck accident scene, the vehicle damage, and any visible injuries
- Reporting the truck accident to the police department right away
- Exchanging information with the other driver
- Seeing a doctor as soon as possible to look at your injuries, even if they seem minor or you feel okay
- Following all of your doctor’s orders, and going back to see them if your injuries change or worsen at all
- Keeping track of all costs, including medical bills, missed work time, and vehicle repair expenses
- NOT communicating with, accepting anything from, or signing anything from the insurance company until you have a lawyer on your side
Talk to a Truck Accident Lawyer in Georgia for Free Today
Don’t assume your accident is too minor for legal help until after you’ve spoken to an attorney. At John Foy & Associates, the consultation is always FREE so there’s no risk in discussing your case with us. To get started with your FREE consultation, call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online today.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
