One second, you’re driving through East St. Louis, minding your own business. Next, a semi truck slams into you, turning your world upside down. The steps you take now can make all the difference in your ability to hold the trucking company accountable.
At Finney Injury Law, we've seen the devastation a truck crash leaves behind. We've also seen too many survivors make critical missteps that haunt them for years. Our experienced St. Louis truck accident lawyers are here to guide you through this overwhelming process, helping you avoid common mistakes that can sink your injury claim.
Mistake #1: Neglecting or Delaying Medical Treatment
Foregoing medical care after a truck accident is a major mistake that can devastate your health and your injury claim. Here's why:
- Untreated injuries often get worse. Delays in care can prolong your recovery or lead to chronic problems.
- Gaps in treatment suggest your injuries aren't serious. The insurance company will argue you couldn't have been that hurt if you didn't need consistent care.
- You may not be compensated for problems that develop later. If you can't tie a delayed injury directly back to the truck accident with medical documentation, the insurance company may refuse to cover the costs.
- You could be accused of failing to "mitigate damages." In personal injury cases, plaintiffs have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to minimize their losses. If the insurance company can show that your injuries worsened because you didn't follow through with treatment, they may argue you failed to mitigate your damages and use that to reduce your compensation.
If you get hurt in a truck accident, get checked out right away—even if you think it's minor. Follow your doctor's treatment plan to the letter, and don't miss appointments unless it's unavoidable. Keep detailed records of all your medical visits, tests, and procedures.
Mistake #2: Thinking You Can Handle This on Your Own
Truck accident cases are complex, high-stakes affairs that require specialized knowledge and resources. Trucking companies and their insurers have teams of adjusters, lawyers, and experts all working to minimize their liability and find ways to pin the blame on you. If you try to take them on alone, you're at an immediate disadvantage.
An experienced truck accident attorney will:
- Conduct a thorough, independent investigation into the causes of the crash
- Identify and preserve critical evidence before it disappears
- Consult with accident reconstruction specialists, medical experts, and other professionals to build your case
- Handle all communication and negotiation with the insurance company
- Fight for a settlement that accounts for all your losses—past, present, and future
- Take your case to trial if the trucking company refuses to make a fair offer
Trying to juggle all of this on your own is a recipe for disaster, especially while dealing with painful injuries and mounting bills. You need someone in your corner who knows the opposition's playbook and can counter their tactics at every turn.
Mistake #3: Giving a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Company
Soon after the crash, a representative from the trucking company's insurance company will call, sounding friendly and concerned. They just want to check in, see how you're doing, and get your side of what happened. Seems harmless enough, right? Wrong.
Giving a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster is one of the most damaging mistakes you can make after a truck accident. No matter how sympathetic they sound, the adjuster's goal is to extract information they can use to limit or deny your claim. They're trained to ask leading questions that can trap you into saying something that hurts your case.
The best way to avoid these traps? Politely decline to give a recorded statement and refer the adjuster to your attorney. You're under no obligation to talk to the insurance company, and you shouldn't—not without your lawyer present.
Mistake #4: Accepting the First Settlement Offer
You're missing work, losing income, and the medical bills are piling up. The stress keeps you up at night. When the trucking company's insurer finally makes a settlement offer, the temptation to take it and move on can be overwhelming.
However, that first offer is almost always a lowball amount designed to make your claim go away as cheaply as possible. If you take that money now, you could be signing away your right to the full compensation you deserve.
Consider all the potential long-term costs of a truck accident:
- Future medical treatment, including surgeries, physical therapy, and medication
- Lost earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Modifications to your home or vehicle to accommodate a disability
The first settlement offer rarely accounts for these kinds of lasting damages. And once you accept a settlement, that's it. You can't go back and ask for more money if your expenses turn out to be higher than you anticipated. You're stuck with whatever amount you agreed to, even if it turns out to be woefully inadequate.
Mistake #5: Discussing Your Accident on Social Media
After a significant life event like a truck accident, it's natural to want to share updates with friends and family online. But those posts can become Exhibit A against you. The trucking company will scour your social media for anything they can use to challenge your claim.
A picture of you out with friends can be used to argue that your injuries aren't that serious. A post about the crash itself can be twisted into an admission of fault. The safest move? Stay off social media entirely until your case concludes.
Get the Guidance You Need, Every Step of the Way
Truck accident cases are a minefield of potential mistakes. Having a knowledgeable attorney on your side from the start can help you sidestep the worst of them. At Finney Injury Law, we've helped countless crash victims take on trucking companies and win. We know the opposition's tactics and how to counter them at every turn.
Don't try to take this journey alone. Let our skilled St. Louis truck accident lawyers guide you through the process, protect your rights, and fight for every dollar you deserve. Your only job right now is to focus on healing.