If you have been injured in an auto accident that was not your fault, or if you were a passenger in a vehicle and suffered injuries as result of the negligence of another driver, you may have a claim against that driver’s automobile insurance company for any losses. These losses include medical expenses, emotional and physical pain and suffering, any lost wages you incur due to the accident, and any permanent injuries you sustain.

In order to protect your claim for losses, if you feel you may have been injured, you should seek immediate medical attention either at the emergency room or with your family doctor as soon as possible following the injury. And, if you are unable to work following your injury, you should let your employer know why you are unable to work and obtain a doctor’s note for your absence. The other driver may be responsible for reimbursing you for these expenses when the case settles.

Attorneys Dealing With Insurance Agencies
Some insurance companies will try to convince you not to hire an attorney by promising to pay your medical expenses and lost wages. The insurance adjuster will assure you that he or she will negotiate a fair settlement for your claim. Usually you will have to jump through so many hoops to obtain these benefits that you ultimately decide you need an attorney anyway. We do not recommend that you deal with an experienced claims adjuster from the other party’s insurance company without the benefit of your own attorney. And certainly you should not give a recorded or written statement to anyone without speaking to an attorney first.

Choosing an attorney to handle your claim responsibly and effectively is the most important decision you will have to make following an accident. Retaining an attorney to file an accident claim does not mean that you are filing a lawsuit against the other driver. The vast majority of the insurance claims are settled before a lawsuit has to be filed.

Truck Accidents
If you have traveled on any major highways in the past months, you have probably noticed the astonishing increase in truck traffic. The records of trucking companies reveal that commercial trucks cram onto the highways, jockeying for position among passenger cars and rush to complete their routes on time. The trucks are often loaded to capacity, sometimes poorly maintained, and frequently driven by truckers with serious safety deficiencies. An astonishing number of these drivers are fatigued, under the influence of medication or drugs, or medically disqualified to drive a truck. This means truck accidents are imminent. Federal and state laws set up extensive requirements for trucking companies and their drivers. Trucking companies may violate these laws to some extent in a rush to make a profit. Many times these unsafe practices converge into deadly accidents.

If you were involved in a collision with a tractor-trailer, you should contact one of our attorneys immediately. If you do not contact an attorney quickly, you may lose important evidence in your case.

Driving Safely Among Trucks
When you are driving near an 18-wheeler, consider these safety tips to avoid truck accidents:

Give the truck plenty of space in front. The average stopping distance for a large truck at 60 miles per hour is 451 feet.

• Do not travel alongside a truck any longer than normal.
• If a car stops or slows suddenly in front a truck, the truck driver is likely to whip over into the adjoining lane.
• If you see unsafe driving, always report it at once either to the phone number located on the back of the truck or to the police. You have a duty to yourself and others to get
  unsafe drivers off the road.