8 Crucial Steps To Take After A Truck Accident
Truck accidents can be serious and the process to file for legal claims can be different from regular car accidents. Such accidents can also lead to catastrophic damages and serious injuries to the people involved. Many times, people caught up in collisions with semi-trucks are severely injured, which requires immediate medical attention.
If you or your loved one has been injured in a truck accident recently, there are various things to consider in these cases. To protect your legal rights, make sure to do the following steps:
Contact Local Officials Immediately
One of the first things that you should do if you’re involved in a truck accident is to notify law enforcement in the local area. Once the police arrive on the scene, they may file official reports that detail the events causing the accident.
Although it appears that no physical damage was incurred on vehicles or nobody sustained injuries, it’s still best to contact the local law enforcement personnel. This is because some minor injuries like soft tissue injuries aren’t always noticeable. For example, your neck could’ve been strained upon impact, but you couldn’t feel the effects until your muscles become sore. Swelling and inflammation may take hours to develop, particularly if you’re using your body parts unknowingly.
If you require medical help for your injuries, having a police report is necessary to substantiate your claim and to provide clarity to your case. The report contains information, which can prove invaluable for personal injury cases or accident lawsuits.
Gather Evidence
If possible, try taking photos of the scene of the truck accident while you’re present on the site of the incident. Other than documenting the damages done to your vehicle, don’t forget to take photos of the other damaged vehicles involved in the crash.
If you’ve incurred visible injuries, take photos of them immediately. This is because an affliction like a cut or a bruise might change color, severity, and shape over time. Therefore, it’s crucial to capture a shot of it after it happens right away.
Other than gathering photographic evidence, it’s essential to take notes as you can before you leave the accident area. Once you recount the details in the long run, your memory about the event might be blurry and you’ll require facts.
Write down more information regarding the persons involved in the accident. If available, it can be a good time to gather details about insurance too.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
There are instances that you might not feel pain or notice your injuries immediately after the accident. According to Nolo.com, even if you think it’s okay not to get medical assistance, it’s important to see a medical professional since you might have suffered from injuries that don’t show any short-term symptoms.
If you end up needing medical attention later for injuries, it can be hard to prove that it’s related to your accident. You might also have injuries like internal bleeding, which can be difficult for you to know but trained medical professionals can diagnose it ahead of time.
Even if you’re examined by emergency medical technicians at the scene, requesting a full medical evaluation at your doctor’s office or preferred hospital is always a better option.
Exchange Details With The Other Party
It’s crucial to exchange information with the other parties while at the accident scene. When the other parties leave the scene of the accident, it’s difficult to track them. Although you have their name or company name, you might not be able to contact them easily.
Getting their contact details can make things easier once you seek compensation. If necessary, ensure to document the employer’s information of the truck driver as well.
If you can’t get the details because of the injuries you’ve sustained, it’s always a good idea to ask a friend or someone you know to do it for you. You can even ask for a favor from your lawyer to get the important details on your behalf.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Even if you don’t want to file a claim with your insurance company, it’s still essential to report your accident as it can help preserve your rights to file a claim if you think you’re eligible for one.
For instance, your vehicle might require major repairs. Filing insurance claims under your current insurance coverage can provide you the expenses you need to have the fixes done sooner than waiting for your claim with the trucking company to arrive.
Check For Witnesses
You must always check for some witnesses near the accident scene. Depending on your situation, you can collect some bystanders’ statements on your own or ask for their contact information in case more information is needed in the future.
Such eyewitnesses can be called upon to testify in your case if a case is filed in court involving the accident. You may also check the accident reports conducted by authorities to know if the responding officers interviewed witnesses that you might have missed.
Speak Wisely
Once you contact your insurance company regarding the truck accident, an insurance adjuster will try to reach out. When it happens, you have to be careful about what to say to your adjuster since they can use anything against you.
It’s wise to talk with a lawyer and get legal advice regarding your insurance claim before connecting with insurance adjusters. Your lawyer may recommend you on what you must and must not say. If the adjusters ask for a written or recorded statement, decline until you’ve spoken with your lawyer. You’re required to cooperate with your insurance provider, but you’re not really required to give any kind of statement.
Call Your Lawyer
When you’re in a truck accident, call your lawyer as soon as possible. It’s wise to hire a legal expert who specializes in truck accidents to handle your case.
Truck accident lawyers can help in various ways. One of these is that they can get you the settlement you deserve to cover all your lost wages and medical treatments, especially if you’re not fully recovered yet.
Your legal counsel’s expert qualified opinion can also be helpful if you don’t know where to get started with the process. If you decide to file a claim from your insurance company or pursue a lawsuit against the other party, it’s best to have somebody that’s knowledgeable to guide you along the way.
Last Words
Once you’re involved in truck accidents, you must focus strictly to get better. You mustn’t stress about the next steps or wonder if you’re making the right decisions. This experience can be disorienting and you don’t need to handle it alone. If you need legal help, make sure to hire the best possible lawyer to protect your rights.