Tips For Michigan Truck Accident Victims | Truck Accident Attorneys

Why Mistakes Involving Michigan Truck Accidents Can Have Serious Consequences

Every accident that happens on Michigan roads needs to be taken seriously.

However, Michigan traffic data statistics show that semi-truck accidents are often more severe, result in worse damages, and cause more fatalities.

But along with being more serious, trucking accidents are also far more complicated than auto accidents. This is because the laws affecting truck accidents are more complicated and allow more parties to be held responsible.

That means there’s even more on the line when it comes to receiving compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other potential damages and benefits you may be entitled to.

Mistake 1: Admitting Fault After Your Truck Accident

From the moment your truck accident takes place, you need to be ready to know what mistakes to avoid.

The first mistake you may make is admitting fault, which can happen right after the accident occurs.

Some truck accident victims admit fault without even realizing they’re doing this. They may say common expressions, such as:

• “I’m sorry, I just didn’t see you.”
• “All I did was check my phone.”
• “I only looked away for a second.”

Apologizing for the accident or offering explanations about what you did to cause the accident are easy to say in tense situations, regardless of whether you caused it or not. This can be a natural reaction for some people as they try to console other parties involved in the accident.

However, statements like these can be misconstrued during legal proceedings and can even hinder your ability to recover the damages you deserve.

So instead of making statements that can imply responsibility, keep communications to a minimum with other parties. Only say what’s necessary while you collect needed information and wait for the police to arrive.

Mistake 2: Not Gathering Truck Accident Evidence

After your truck accident, it’s essential to gather evidence that proves what happened with the truck accident, who was responsible, and how you were injured or otherwise affected.

However, some truck accident victims fail to gather evidence of the accident, which can cause them to not receive the compensation they deserve.

This can happen for a number of reasons:

• Assuming the investigating police officer will gather all of the evidence you’ll need
• Not realizing what evidence is important for your accident case
• Gathering some evidence, but failing to gather all the evidence that was available or the most important evidence

So what evidence should you gather after a Michigan truck accident?

The truck driver’s information

Write down or record the truck driver’s information, including their driver’s license info, license plate, insurance details, make and model of the truck, who owns the truck, and who the driver’s employer is.

The scene of the accident

Take photos or videos of the accident scene, the vehicles involved and their damages, and any injuries you or others suffered. You can also document any contributing factors such as weather, lighting, signage, or other surrounding circumstances.

Witness accounts

If any witnesses were present, make sure you get their name and contact information to help with your case. If possible, record their statement of events while it is still fresh in their minds.

Police report

After the investigating police officer has assessed the scene, asked questions about what happened, and inspected all of the vehicles involved, they will put their findings in a police report. This will be available within a few days from the date of the truck accident. To get the police report, go to the police station and request a copy.

Your injuries

Document your injuries at the scene of the accident and as time passes. This can include visible injuries such as bruises, lacerations, or scarring.

You also need to document how you have been impacted psychologically, how your relationships have been affected, and how your outlook on life has been impacted from the accident.

Mistake 3: Not Receiving Medical Attention

Some truck accident victims don’t receive any medical attention after their accident, while others don’t follow up on the prescribed treatment recommended by medical professionals.

However, not receiving medical attention after a Michigan truck accident is a major mistake for two reasons: it can cause major health issues, and it often reduces the settlement amount you receive.

Causing major health issues

Not receiving medical treatment after a truck accident is a very dangerous decision to make. This is because the injuries a person suffers after a truck accident may not immediately manifest themselves, even though they may be severe. For example, internal bleeding can take time to manifest without medical diagnostic treatment and can even be fatal.

In other cases, major injuries may be hidden due to the stress of the accident. This is because an accident can release adrenaline, which can mask pain.

In other cases, what seems like minor injuries take time to manifest themselves and can become more severe with time.

In either case, not receiving the medical treatment you need is a mistake that can result in severe health issues or even cost you your life.

Reducing the settlement amount you receive

Your truck accident settlement often depends on establishing what happened to you and how severely your life has been affected. But without medical treatment that demonstrates the injuries you’ve suffered, this can be difficult to prove in legal settings.

That means you may not have the evidence you need to show how you have been impacted from the accident, nor the medical evidence to show the injuries that you’ve suffered.

As a result, not having medical evidence of what injuries you suffered will likely cause you to receive far less money than you deserve when it comes time to settle your case.

Mistake 4: Not Hiring a Truck Accident Attorney

Some truck accident victims don’t get a Michigan truck accident lawyer on their side, or they wait too long to get one and end up making costly mistakes.

While each person has their own reasons, these are some of the most common explanations behind why some truck accident victims don’t get an attorney:

• They think they are too expensive
• They don’t trust lawyers
• They believe they can deal with the accident on their own

However, one thing they don’t realize is how complicated truck accidents are. The fact is, there are far more parties involved compared with an auto accident.

For example, these are just some of the parties that may be held responsible for truck accidents in Michigan:

• The semi-truck driver
• The trucking company
• The other passenger vehicle drivers involved
• The owner of the truck (if not owned by the truck driver or trucking company)
• The cargo company/freight broker
• The truck manufacturer
• The manufacturer of a faulty part used on the truck
• The mechanic who serviced the truck

Trying to deal with all of these parties on your own can be overwhelming, and can even result in an accident victim not receiving the compensation they deserve.

On top of this, there’s no reason to be concerned about having to pay for legal help, since the truck accident attorneys at Kajy Law work on a commision. That means they only get paid if they their client wins their case. But if the client doesn’t get paid, neither do the attorneys.

In addition, having an experienced truck accident attorney on your side can also help you in a variety of other ways:

• Guiding you through the steps you need to take after your accident
• Dealing with the insurance companies
• Helping you get your injuries treated
• Maximizing your settlement

Mistake 5: Settling Your Truck Accident Case Too Early

No matter what you experienced with your truck accident, it’s important to take the time you need and not rush into settling.

However, this isn’t always easy. Some accident victims settle too early because:

• They don’t realize the importance of getting the medical treatment they need
• They accept a low-ball settlement offer from the insurance companies because they don’t know what their case is worth
• They underestimate the damages they’ve suffered

The fact is, truck accident victims need to take their time and not settle too early, regardless of what the insurance companies try to do.

Accident victims also need to make sure they have a clear understanding of the extent of their truck accident damages, which include medical expenses, lost wages, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

Want to Learn More About Avoiding Mistakes With Your Detroit Truck Accident?

The truck accident attorneys at Kajy Law know exactly what to look out for with your Detroit truck accident, Warren truck accident, or accident that took place anywhere else in Michigan.

This includes identifying and avoiding mistakes that can reduce the compensation you receive or cause problems during your recovery.

So if you’re looking for more information about how to avoid mistakes with your Detroit truck accident, call us today or fill out our contact form. Our attorneys are ready to provide free answers to any questions you may have.

Contact Our Michigan Truck Accident Lawyers Today

If you were involved in a truck accident in Michigan, you need experienced legal help on your side to avoid mistakes and receive the settlement you deserve.

Let our attorneys guide you through each step of the accident recovery process and make sure you receive every penny you’re owed.

Contact us today for a free consultation about your truck accident case. Call us at 248-702-6641 or fill out our contact form.