Truck accidents have increased significantly in the last couple of years. In 2021, 117,300 trucks caused accidents resulting in injuries, a 12% surge from 2020. Truck crashes are lethal because of their immense size and weight and devastating impact, including injury, death, and property damage. Victims of truck accidents suffer physical, financial, and psychological repercussions.
While the aftermath of a truck accident can be overwhelming, working with an experienced truck accident lawyer is the best decision. A lawyer has expertise in truck accident law and can help you build a solid personal injury lawsuit and negotiate fair compensation for damages.
Before hiring a lawyer, take the following steps to increase the odds of recovering optimal compensation.
1. Report the Accident
The first thing to do after a truck accident is to call the police and report the accident. They may ask for accident details such as location, number of vehicles involved, and people injured, so they send appropriate help –emergency respondents and ambulances. Reporting the accident provides documentation for the accident, which is invaluable when working with a semi-truck accident lawyer to file a claim.
2. Get Medical Attention
After a truck accident, many victims sustain severe injuries, some life-threatening. Consequently, ensure you seek medical attention immediately to identify and treat injuries. While you may not feel pain immediately after an accident –due to adrenaline, do not take it as a sign that all is well. Some injuries take time to show, and a doctor should examine you and provide a clean bill of health.
Common injuries in a truck accident include bruises, back, neck, and spinal cord injuries, disfigurement, broken bones, internal injuries, burns, and TBI. For instance, intense trauma on your abdomen may injure your kidneys, liver, bladder, or pancreas. Similarly, some victims suffer burns when trucks carrying combustible materials crash.
Seeking medical attention after a truck accident serves three purposes. First, it ensures your injuries are treated on time, increasing the chances of full recovery. Second, it documents your injuries and links them to the accident.
Third, taking too long to get medical treatment may affect your claim adversely. The insurance adjuster may affirm that your injuries are not as bad as you claim or unrelated to the accident. Following the doctor's recommendations and specialized treatments is fundamental, as is keeping all medical bills and receipts.
3. Exchange Information with Other Drivers
In the immediate moments of the accident, before the police arrive, exchange crucial information with the other drivers, such as name, physical address, cell number, license number, license plate number, and auto insurance details. Do not forget to collect the trucking company's name, phone number, department of transportation number, and insurance information.
4. Take Photos
If you are uninjured, and it's safe to walk around the accident scene, take photos to document evidence at the scene. Capture the entire accident scene, vehicle damage, skid marks, debris on the roadway, and nearby traffic signs. Also, take photos of your injuries and those of other passengers.
A picture is worth many words and can illuminate the accident's severity. Also, the accident scene may be cleaned up afterward, thus the need to keep crucial accident data before it's lost. Suppose the weather contributed to the accident, take a photo of the surroundings and weather conditions.
5. Get Witness Information
In a truck accident case, witness statements are crucial. A witness can be any person who saw the accident –a bystander, passenger in one of the involved vehicles, or driver in a vehicle not involved. As such, write down the witnesses' names, phone numbers, and addresses. Luckily, you don't have to get witness statements; the police and your lawyer will do that.
Witnesses can share valuable information on how the accident occurred and help in accident reconstruction. However, most are well-meaning bystanders who leave the accident scene when the police and emergency response team arrive. Getting in touch with them later can be difficult without their contact information.
6. Measure Your Words
An accident can be emotionally charged, and you may say something you regret later. Also, your statement may harm your claim, resulting in a lower settlement or denied claim. Therefore, be careful about your utterances. Never admit fault for an accident whether you are fully or partially liable –let the police and your lawyer determine liability.
Many truck accident victims make the mistake of negotiating with the other party's insurance provider. However, don't do this and allow your lawyer to handle the insurance. Insurance companies are notorious for luring victims into accepting small settlements and, in turn, making huge profits. Also, keep information on the accident discreet and don't share it on social media.
7. Wait Before Repairing Your Vehicle
A truck crash can cause significant vehicle damage. While you can't wait to get your vehicle repaired and back on the road, do not rush. Since repair costs are part of an insurance claim, get a repair appraisal and await approval. Even if your vehicle did not sustain visible damage, let a mechanic examine it before hitting the road.
Conclusion
Being involved in a truck crash is a terrifying and life-altering experience, from injuries to huge medical bills and pain and suffering. While working with a reputable lawyer is advisable, knowing what to do before hiring a truck accident lawyer is crucial to protect your rights and build a strong case against the liable party.
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