A truck accident can indeed be a traumatic experience; however, taking the right actions right after the accident can prove beneficial for your safety and pursue a claim under your name. Seeking medical attention and making records of the scene can really change the scenario for your case.
Steps you should follow immediately after a truck accident
Why it’s important to act quickly after a truck accident
Serious injuries and expensive losses usually accompany the aftermath of truck accidents. A truck, due to its size and weight, can cause a severe accident that results in more damage compared to a regular car collision. You are better off following the required steps after a car accident, or a truck accident in this case, and the chances of your safety are maximized.
To avoid panic after a truck accident, it is necessary to follow the provided steps.
Check for injuries and ensure safety
The very first thing you do after any accident is to check if you, yourself, and other parties involved are safe and uninjured. If it is safe enough to do so, get away from the place of the accident and to safety, away from any oncoming traffic. If your vehicle is operational, you are to move to the side of the road, so you do not cause any further accidents.
Call for emergency services
To call 911, state the nature of the call as an accident. Responders will usually arrive and assess the injuries as traffic is handled. If you have sustained injuries, medically trained personnel will come to assist you. For the appropriate resources to be provided to you, make sure you stress the fact that a truck was involved in the accident.
Exchange information with the truck driver
You must get some information pertaining to the truck driver. The information that you, as the truck driver, must provide is:
- The driver and the driver’s truck company.
- The Insurance details.
- Driver’s truck license.
- The truck’s License plate number.
- The truck make and the model
Do not forget to ask for the information politely.
Document the scene
Taking images and recording notes of the scene of the accident is very important for claims applications and legal matters. Here’s what you should document.
- Images of the accident photograph, your car’s damage, and the truck involved.
- Nearby locations, as well as the weather and road conditions.
- Traffic signals or signs which may have been contributory to the accident.
- Visible injuries and damage inflicted on the property.
This can act as important supporting information to your claim if the case goes to court.
Talk to witnesses
In case of an accident, your immediate step is to collect contact details of the witnesses, if there are any. Witnesses can give essential accounts that can assist in determining the reason of an accident. It is best to record what they have witnessed so that you can access their accounts in case it is necessary.
File a police report
In certain states, a police report must be made for accidents involving substantial damage and/or injuries. While waiting for the police to arrive, report to them all the important information you have gathered. Important police reports must be submitted to the insurance company or associated with any legal actions that may follow.
Seek medical attention
It is wise to go to the doctor even if you do not think you are hurt. Some injuries such as whiplash or concealed traumas are not as obvious. Getting the proper treatment will help you document your injuries as well as fulfill any legal issues.
Contact your insurance company
Make sure to notify your insurance agency as quickly as possible. Tell them exactly what happened, what you lost, and what wounds you received. Your claims will be taken care of according to the process you will be guided to.
Consult with a truck accident lawyer
Matters regarding accidents involving trucks are very complex, due to the focus on insurance and other aspects. It is wise to recommend a Seattle truck accident lawyer who has experience with truck accidents. Having one will ensure that your rights are maintained, that proper negotiations are made with the insurance companies, and that a solid argument is constructed on your behalf.
The significance of a truck accident lawyer in your case
When a truck accident happens, a lawyer can steeply change the result of the case which in turn, benefits their client. This is what the lawyer can do for you:
- Investigating the accident. A trained lawyer can analyze the evidence of the accident and listen to the witnesses to come up with a strong case.
- Negotiating with insurance companies. The insurance companies are the first to advance in the queue to minimize the loss, turn the most profit at loss. The lawyer makes it a point that the settlement is justly compensated for the harm suffered by injuries.
- Representing you in court. In case the truck accident case proceeds to court for a hearing, that lawyer would be representing the case with finesse.
Finally
Dealing with any accident remains complex particularly with a truck. However, attending to the situation with the proper approach immediately after allows one to safeguard health, security, and even legal issues. Going by the instruction set forth with regards to a truck accident assists one in securing support with the truck.
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