A truck accident may result in serious injuries as well as substantial property damage. Under New Jersey law, you may be entitled to compensation for damages incurred in a collision with a commercial vehicle. However, this assumes that the defendant acted in a negligent manner. There are several steps that you can take before taking legal action that may increase the likelihood that you accomplish this goal.
Gather evidence from the crash site
If you’re physically able to do so, you should take pictures of the crash scene immediately after the wreck occurs. You may also want to obtain video footage of the truck accident as well as at least one witness statement. Otherwise, you are encouraged to start your investigation by getting a copy of the police report generated in your case.
Say as little as possible
You will need to make a statement to your insurance company in the days or weeks after a crash. Ideally, you will avoid speculation of any kind as it may undermine your legal position. Furthermore, you should avoid saying anything on social media that might imply that you had anything to do with causing your accident to occur.
Make sure to seek medical treatment
Visiting a doctor can be an easy way to obtain documents establishing a link between the accident and any injuries incurred in the wreck. Furthermore, any medical bills that you receive may be used as proof of a financial loss, which is one of the key elements of a negligence case.
In New Jersey, you have two years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This may provide you with the leverage needed to obtain compensation for lost wages or other damages.
