Of the approximately 268 million registered vehicles on U.S. roads, only 4% are trucks. Yet, a high percentage of serious accidents involve a truck. Since truck accidents often lead to severe injuries and property damage, it is essential to understand what to do after a truck accident.
Seek Medical Attention
You should leave the vehicle and move to a safe spot when you are in a truck accident. Check yourself for injuries, and if you are able to walk, you should also check the safety of the driver and passengers of the other vehicle(s).
If you or someone else got severely injured in the accident and require medical attention, you should immediately contact the local authorities for medical assistance. However, if you cannot get out of the vehicle, remain calm, call for medical assistance, and do not try to get out of the vehicle until they arrive.
Seeking medical attention is crucial after you have been in a truck accident. Even if you feel OK with no apparent injuries, remember that some injuries, such as whiplash, can take some time to manifest.
Getting the required medical treatment after the truck accident lets your physician diagnose any trauma or injuries you suffered so you can get treated properly. It would be best to continue the treatment until you reach maximum recovery.
Report the Accident
Whether you are at fault for the truck accident or not, you must remain at the scene and report the accident to the police. Leaving the scene could complicate things for your case. You should also avoid admitting fault or engaging in conversations with anyone regarding liability before the police arrive.
Once the police create a report of the accident, you should give a statement that accurately describes what happened at the time of the truck accident.
The police can also take statements from any eyewitnesses at the scene and make a complete report of the accident, including where and how the accident occurred. Obtaining a copy of this report can assist you further in seeking compensation for the damages after the truck accident.
Document Details at The Accident Site
Try to get eyewitness statements and exchange contact information with all parties involved in the accident. Be sure to get contact and insurance information from the other driver involved in the accident and note their vehicle’s license plate number.
You should also photograph the accident scene and the vehicle damage from different angles. This type of evidence can help determine fault in your truck accident case.
Continue to Gather Evidence
After the accident, you have to gather additional evidence that can be valuable for your case. For example, if you suffered severe injuries in a truck accident and were getting treated for those injuries, having medical records, including receipts for prescription medications, medical tests, and hospital bills, could help your case.
Suffering injuries in a truck accident could cause you to miss work until you recover, resulting in lost wages. Therefore, you should have proof of your last paycheck before you sustained the injuries and additional documentation validating the loss of income you suffered after the truck accident. This can help you recover compensation for loss of income due to the accident and any non-salary benefits such as lost tips, commissions, or bonuses.
Sometimes truck accident victims have to make additional out-of-pocket expenses, including transportation costs, vehicle repairs, vehicle or house modifications, and home nursing care for their injuries. Preserving records of out-of-pocket expenses can help you recover maximum compensation.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer
You can face multiple legal challenges after the truck accident, even if you were not at fault. Going through the process without legal help can make it more challenging. A truck accident attorney’s help can benefit your case in many ways. For example, an experienced lawyer is well-versed in state and local laws, so they can assess the facts of your case and help you make an informed decision.
The legal requirements of a truck accident case, including the paperwork for filing a claim with the insurance company or a lawsuit, can be overwhelming for you. Your attorney can take care of all the paperwork regarding the truck accident, allowing you to focus on recovering from your injuries.
Your attorney can also handle negotiations with the insurance company, ensuring they do not trick you into accepting a lowball offer. By gathering sufficient evidence and submitting it to the insurance company to support your claim, your truck accident lawyer can get the insurance company to settle the case. If the settlement negotiations are unsuccessful, an experienced truck accident attorney can offer you legal representation in court and help you prepare for the trial. You can read more here about truck accidents to help you make an informed decision regarding truck accident claims and lawsuits.
