STEPS TO TAKE IMMEDIATELY AFTER A TRUCK ACCIDENT
While being involved in any vehicular accident is terrifying, truck accidents are particularly shocking and traumatizing. Truck accidents are among the most serious accidents that take place in the United States, with an alarming number of those accidents resulting in a fatality. Many truck accident victims are usually so traumatized that they don’t even know the right steps to take after the incident.
Sadly, truck accidents will likely never cease to be an issue on America’s roadways. However, if you are ever involved in a truck accident, it’s extremely important that you know the proper legal steps to take, both at the scene of the accident and soon afterward.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THESE STEPS IMMEDIATELY AFTER A TRUCK ACCIDENT:
Report the Truck Accident by Calling the Police
You should immediately notify the police that an accident has occurred. Calling the police to the scene of the accident allows for an officer to create an accident report. An accident report is very important, even if there’s little or no damage, as it can be used for evidentiary purposes.
Call for an Ambulance
If you are injured, or believe you may be injured, you should call for an ambulance if you are physically able to do so. However, you should not leave the accident scene until the police arrive, unless you’re seriously injured and need urgent medical attention.
Seek Urgent Medical Attention
Your health and safety are most important when it comes to an accident. Seeking urgent medical attention may be critical, even when you don’t see or feel a physical injury, as you may suffer from internal bleeding or other injuries that might not be immediately apparent.
Contact Your Insurance Company As Soon As Possible
You should inform your insurance company of the truck accident as soon as possible. However, it is critical that you avoid any admission of fault, negligence, or wrongdoing. Simply provide accurate facts about the incident. Do not sign or agree to anything with the insurance company, without first speaking to your attorney.
Gather and Document Evidence
You should gather and document the following:
- The name of the trucking company
- The truck driver’s name, home address, and phone number
- The truck driver’s driver’s license information
- The driver’s insurance information
- Take as many photos and videos as possible
- Speak to witnesses and record their various descriptions of the accident (don’t forget to collect their names and phone numbers, as well)
- Find out if the truck is carrying any hazardous materials and if there was any sign of danger of an explosion or contamination
Find an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer (very important!)
Find a dedicated, experienced attorney and work with him/her as soon as possible. Working with an attorney who has successfully handled truck accident cases in the past will be of great benefit to you and your insurance company.
There’s a lot involved with filing and going through a truck accident claim. Attempting to negotiate with insurance companies without legal counsel – even your own insurance provider – could result in a significantly lower settlement than what you’re entitled. By working with a formidable legal team, you can rest assured that you’ll receive the help you need and the amount of compensation you deserve.
You need to also bear in mind that no two trucking accident claims have the same circumstances, settlement value, or outcome. Therefore, you need to work with an attorney who will be able to adapt to the specific and unique needs of your case to the applicable law. By doing so, you can save yourself a great deal of stress and hassle throughout the process.
If you can follow the steps outlined above and hire an attorney who truly understands the legal processes involved in truck accident cases, you will surely have a great chance at a favorable outcome in court. With the right attorney, you can focus on recovering from any injuries and piecing your life back together after the accident, instead of dealing with insurance companies and settlement negotiations.
