The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported that the number of large truck crashes leading to injuries was 107,000 in 2017, which was a 5% increase from 2016. Given the long stopping distance and the weight of trucks, the prevalence of big truck accidents is not surprising. Most of these accidents are more severe than typical passenger vehicles.
A truck accident can be terrifying. Often, the persons involved in these accidents sustain grave injuries. The first and most critical step is seeking medical assistance.
However, you need to follow some essential steps after a truck accident to ensure that you preserve your legal rights. The right procedure will also be useful when claiming compensation for personal injuries.
Alert the Police
Calling the police ought to be the first step you take once you get in a truck accident. You should seek medical attention in the process, whether or not you have visible injuries. Calling 911 will allow you to have police and medical reports.
Avoid engaging any other party before recording your statement with the authorities. More importantly, don’t apologize to the other driver, as whatever you say might be used to water down your claim.
Inform the dispatcher of the severity of the accidents. Mention the number of people involved so that the ambulances sent are adequate. You need a police report despite an accident seemingly appearing minor.
Give the factual and accurate description of the accidents. The police will write the record based on your statement and that of the other driver(s). The citation will be clear on the at-fault driver and the magnitude of the accident.
The report is crucial, especially when filing a personal injury claim. An insurance company can reject your claim if you don’t have a police report. Besides, your attorney needs the statement to prove that you were adhering to traffic safety rules when the accident occurred.
Obtain All Relevant Evidence
You should collect evidence of the truck accident if you’ve not sustained injuries that curtail your movement. The records are relevant as you can’t remember the exact events of the accident years or months later. The evidence can be in the form of videos, pictures, witnesses’ contacts, and notes regarding aspects like weather or road.
Pictures of visible injuries, vehicle damages, and the place the accident occurred are essential. With the images, getting your rightful compensation is possible. Video narration and audio recordings are also useful.
Lawsuits involving truck crashes can take several months before reaching a viable conclusion. The details of the evidence might save you a big deal. Keep the records safe and have an adequate backup to help with the legal action you take.
Get the Other Driver’s Information
You’ll need to get information from the other driver before leaving the accident scene. Tracking the other party after the accident would be hard. Having the name of the truck company or the driver’s name isn’t enough.
You need comprehensive information for your settlement process to be seamless. Besides the driver’s name, record the address and phone number. You will also need to note down the license number of the truck driver, employer’s information, and the driver’s insurance company.
While taking witness statements isn’t your role, you can engage well-meaning onlookers who witnessed the accident. Most likely, the authorities will be dealing with several emergencies. They might miss out on key witnesses, who can be instrumental during the investigation.
You can approach one of the witnesses and request for a name and phone number. Your lawyer can use the testimony to help with your case.
Contact a Reliable Truck Accident Attorney
Seeking settlement after a truck accident can be daunting due to the number of parties involved. Going through the process yourself can be devastating. Brach Eichler Trial Lawyers can assist you in getting your rightful compensation after a truck accident.
A truck accident attorney will investigate the crash and determine the liability. With the evidence gathered, your lawyer will negotiate with insurance companies to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. If an insurer rejects your claim, your lawyer will guide you on the steps to take to file a lawsuit.
A truck accident requires specialized knowledge for one to get compensated rightfully. The cost of hiring a lawyer isn’t comparable to the compensation you will get. Besides, an attorney will do all the dirty work as you focus on your recovery.
Follow Your Doctor’s Advice
The rate of fatal injuries for truck drivers is about 24 per 100,000. Therefore, victims of truck accidents might spend more time in the hospital or on bed rest. Besides, your doctor is likely to give you stringent precautions for your full recovery.
Ensure to follow treatment advice to the letter. If your treatment recommends chiropractic treatment two days a week, don’t ignore it. Skipping will hinder your recovery process and might be a ground for claim denial by an insurance company.
The insurance adjuster will poke areas that will lead to a reduction of your demands or denial of a claim. Gaps in your medical treatment can cost you the compensation. Following your doctor’s advice will be for your good.
While at it, ensure that you remain low-key about the accident on your social media platforms. A seemingly simple statement can be used to challenge your claim. If you want to notify your friends of your condition, personal contacts are more appropriate.
A Truck Accident Can Be Devastating
The severity of truck accidents is incomparable to most passenger vehicles. Taking the necessary steps after a truck accident will enable you to get the rightful compensation and assistance that will set you back on your feet. Missing one of the levels can have adverse implications on your case once you decide to pursue legal action.
Hiring a truck accident attorney is one of the best decisions you can make after the accident. A lawyer will allow you to rest easy and focus on the recovery. With an experienced attorney, the settlement process will be easier, and the chances of getting the rightful compensation are high.
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