by Any accident is scary. When a vehicle collides with a truck, the drivers are frantic and confused. Adrenaline is racing through their bodies, and they may not remember what they need to do. Every driver should take the following steps when involved in an accident with a truck.
Contact Law Enforcement
Always call the police following a truck accident. An officer will visit the scene and file an official report outlining the accident details. A truck accident attorney will need this report and its information if they file a lawsuit against the responsible parties. Minor injuries may not be apparent right away. Inflammation and swelling often aren’t seen and felt until hours after the accident. When a person seeks compensation for injuries they sustained in the accident, they will need this report sharing the details of the incident.
See a Doctor
People involved in a truck accident need to see a doctor even if they don’t have any injuries. As mentioned, these injuries may not become apparent until hours or days have passed. The doctor will provide an official medical report documenting all injuries associated with the accident. Without this medical report, the truck driver’s insurance company can argue that the injuries aren’t severe or try to attribute these injuries to another incident.
Collect Evidence
Take pictures of the accident and document damage done to the vehicle. Take photos of the other vehicles involved in the accident, as this will provide an attorney with information about the vehicles, weather and road conditions, and other factors that may have played a role in the collision. Get pictures of any bodily injuries or ask a doctor to take these photos during the physical exam. If anything changes with the injuries, such as a bruise changes shape or color, take pictures to show how the severity has changed.
Write down everything you remember about the accident as soon as possible. This document will ensure that essential details are not forgotten. Write down the truck driver’s name, the responding officer’s name, the names of any medical professionals seen, and names and contact information for any witnesses to the accident. Include insurance information for all drivers involved in the accident in this account.
Avoid Signing Paperwork
Trucking companies want to minimize their liability when one of their vehicles is involved in an accident. They often ask their insurance provider to reach out and offer a settlement to victims. Avoid signing anything the trucking company, their attorneys, or their insurance provider presents.
Contact an Attorney
Contact a personal injury lawyer and ask them to review these documents. They will also ask about the facts of the case and help the victim determine how to proceed. At times, they may recommend taking the settlement. However, they might find this offer unfair and recommend other actions. A person cannot know this until they sit down and meet with the attorney. As the attorney knows trucking industry laws and regulations, they can determine if the driver violated them and explain how to hold them liable.
Victims of a truck accident need to focus on getting better. Having an attorney allows them to do so, as the attorney will handle the legal issues related to the accident. No victim should have to handle these matters alone, and the right attorney will ensure they don’t.
