Being in a truck accident is probably one of the scariest experiences you can have. Not only will the damages to your vehicle likely be larger than when you are hit by a vehicle of a similar size to yours, but your injuries may also be much more extensive and severe as well.
Sadly, whenever someone is involved in this type of accident fear and stress take over and the victim may engage in actions that will compromise their legal rights or even mess them up altogether. Make sure that you know how to act after a truck accident and keep in mind that a good strategy for your defense is to reach out to a trucking accident lawyer.
Keep reading to find out what things you can do so that you or a loved one involved in a trucking accident will preserve your rights and keep all your legal options open following the collision.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
Safeguarding your health and that of those around you should always be your priority. Before doing anything else, assess your own condition, looking for any obvious or hidden injuries. Once you confirm that you do not need to be rushed to an emergency room in an ambulance, look at your passengers and see that everyone is fine as well as anyone else that might have been involved in the accident. If needed, call for an ambulance. Once that is taken care of, this is what else you need to do.
Call the Police
Call 911 and inform the dispatcher of your location and tell them how many vehicles and people are involved in the crash. When the authorities arrive, they will conduct their own investigation into the crash and issue a police report.
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Make sure to obtain a copy that you can give to your insurance company and to your truck accident lawyer. If the police ask you questions as to what happened, avoid speculation since you may end up incriminating yourself. Keep your answers brief and to the point.
Seek Medical Attention
Many people forgo a medical evaluation after being in a crash because they are under the impression that this is not necessary. They may be convinced that they are not injured or that their minor injuries will go away on their own after a couple of days.
However, you may have internal injuries of which you are not aware and which may bring disastrous consequences. Also, getting the medical treatment too many days after the crash may make it harder for you to get compensation from the truck driver since it will be almost impossible to relate your injuries to the crash.
Document the Scene
Any evidence that you may gather while still at the scene can prove invaluable when filing a claim. Besides exchanging information with the truck driver and writing down their address, phone number, email, driver’s license, insurance policy number, and all information related to the truck and the trucking company, take out your phone and take some pictures.
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Start with the vehicles, the damage they sustained, their position on the road, and anything that might have contributed to the accident. As soon as possible, write down everything you remember about the crash including the location, date and time, weather conditions, the way you were injured, and anything else you do not wish to forget.
If there are any witnesses around, get their contact information and record their testimony. Your lawyer may want to reach out to them in the future when you file a claim.
Avoid Saying Too Much
Other than approaching the other driver to see if they have been injured and to obtain their contact information, always remember that they are not your friend. Do not engage in conversation, much less touch upon any subject related to how or why the accident happened. Remember that anything you say can be used against you in the future. Be polite but keep conversation to a minimum.
Stay Away from Social Media
If you tend to post every single thing that happens to you during your day, you may be tempted to share pictures of the accident.
Do not fall for that temptation. Also, avoid posting pictures that show you having a great time, going to bars, and enjoying parties with friends, particularly if you are in the middle of a claim and expecting the insurance company or the other driver to compensate you for the damages you suffered as a result of the accident. A single image that contradicts your claim may do away with the opportunity to receive compensation.
Call Your Insurance Company
It is essential that your insurance company is informed about the accident as soon as possible. Also, in this case, avoid speculation as to what happened. Your insurance company may use the information that you supply them with to conclude that the accident was your fault or they may give you a very low offer for your damages and losses.
They may also ask you to record a statement explaining what happened or to sign a document agreeing to the low amount they have offered you and accepting not to go further with your claim.
Insurance companies tend to have an army of lawyers behind them and are much more experienced at negotiating than someone who is not in this type of business. Let a legal professional review all documents and act as a mediator between you and the insurance company.
Talk to a Truck Accident Attorney
When it comes to trucking accidents, there may be more than one party that is liable for your injuries and losses. An experienced truck accident attorney will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident, gather all evidence, interview witnesses, and take all necessary steps to build a strong case for your defense.
If there is ever a situation in which going it alone is not recommended is when you are involved in a truck accident. Get a knowledgeable legal mind on your side.
