Truck accidents are traumatic and devastating, often leaving their victims with serious injuries, debilitating pain, or life-long health complications. Because there are many more trucks on today’s roads compared to the past, there is a higher chance of getting into an accident involving one. Even though you can get compensated for your injuries and other damages resulting from the accident with the help of a truck accident injury lawyer, you still need to understand what to do following a truck accident. This guide outlines the steps you should take to get the compensation you deserve and hold the negligent party responsible.
Do Not Flee
Fleeing the scene of an accident can have serious consequences. First, it robs you of the chance to prove that you were not responsible for the accident. Also, the other party will assume you are liable because you will likely not have a good answer as to why you did it.
Second, you will be breaking the law and can be prosecuted for it. If you flee the scene after destroying another person’s property (the truck), you will be charged with a misdemeanor hit-and-run. On the other hand, you will be charged with a felony if you caused an accident that led to injuries and fled the scene without providing your details to the other party.
Assess Whether You Can Move Your Vehicle
Leaving your vehicle in the middle of the road following a truck accident can lead to additional collisions, so you should always pull over to the side if you can. However, you may not be able to do it if the vehicle is too badly damaged, someone is seriously wounded, or the accident resulted in a fatality.
Call the Police
If you can, you should call the police immediately. If not, ask a specific person to do it for you. Yelling for someone to do so has been shown to lead to no one doing it because they think the other person or people will do it.
Once you have called the police or are sure someone is doing it, check yourself for injuries. The adrenaline rush you experience after an accident can lead to you not feeling pain or realizing the extent of your injuries.
Once law enforcement officers and first aid personnel arrive, you should get first aid immediately. While you may not have any external injuries, or they may not seem too serious, you might have internal injuries that require advanced medical attention.
Tell the police everything you can remember about the accident. For example, you may remember that the truck driver was speeding or seemed to be under the influence. They will create a report that you can use to get a settlement. Remember that these reports are inadmissible in court, but their details can make a compelling case as to why the other party is liable and why the compensation is justified.
Once you hire them, your truck accident lawyer will go through the report thoroughly and consult with investigators and professionals to see how they can use it to strengthen your position. The report will also be crucial for rebutting any claims that the other party’s insurance provider or attorneys will make.
Get Medical Attention
In addition to the first aid you get on the scene, you should get medical attention immediately. In addition to getting a complete checkup to diagnose any additional issues, the doctor will create reports that your truck accident injury attorney can use as evidence when you file a personal injury lawsuit.
Also, delaying getting crucial treatment might lead the insurance company or opposing attorney to assert that your injuries are not serious or related to the accident. Either of these can put your settlement negotiations or lawsuit in jeopardy.
Collect Evidence from the Scene
In addition to the police report, you need to strengthen your case using additional evidence. You should collect as much evidence as you can from the scene of the accident and have it ready when you contact a personal injury law firm.
Some evidence you should collect includes:
- Videos and photos of the scene of the accident, damage to the vehicles, and vehicle positions.
- The driver’s personal and insurance details.
- Eyewitness statements and their contact information.
Remember that you should only do this if you are feeling fine. If not, get someone you trust to collect this evidence for you.
You should also collect information that shows the extent of your injuries. Remember that it is not enough to show that the other party caused the accident; you also have to show the damage you have suffered. Photographs and videos of all injuries before treatment are an excellent option.
Next, ensure your doctor documents your injuries as carefully and in as much detail as possible. Have them add their names and contact information to the documents so your personal injury attorney can contact them if they need to.
Hire a Truck Accident Injury Lawyer
You should hire a trucking accident lawyer as soon as possible following a truck accident. Doing this is important for several reasons. First, they will file the lawsuit for you properly, ensuring they do not miss any deadlines.
Second, they will negotiate any settlements you receive from the other party on your behalf. Depending on the circumstances, facts, and evidence collected, your attorney will assess how much your case is worth. Once they do, they will know whether the settlement you receive is a good one or not. If not, they will keep negotiating until you get the amount you deserve.
Lastly, they will represent you in court if they have to. Most truck accident and personal injury cases end in out-of-court settlements, but things can break down to such an extent that the only recourse is litigation. If that happens, you need an experienced truck accident lawyer by your side.
If you are involved in a truck accident, you are within your rights to sue for compensation with the help of a truck accident attorney. Choosing an attorney with vast experience in similar cases can help you get the compensation or award you deserve. Our attorneys are standing by to help if you have been in an accident involving a truck.
You can reach us through our website, and we have offices in California, Texas & Nevada.
