What Steps Should I Take After a Truck Accident?
May 26, 2020 | Personal Injury
The last thing you want to worry about when you get behind the wheel of a vehicle is that you may be struck and injured by a large commercial truck. However, thousands of semi-trucks cross our roads each day, and these trucks can potentially cause severe injuries for those inside traditional passenger cars. If you or somebody you love has been injured in a truck accident, there are various steps that you can take to ensure you are properly cared for and that you receive the compensation you deserve.
1. Call the police and report the incident
The first step to take should always be reporting a truck accident to the authorities. Get your vehicle to a safe location and dial 911. Even if there is little to no damage, you still need to make sure a report gets filed, as this will be an important piece of evidence for any case that arises.
2. Seek immediate medical attention
You need to seek medical attention after being involved in the accident with a large truck. Your health and safety are the most important factors when it comes to these accidents. Please understand that some injuries do not appear until later on, so let a doctor make a determination of the extent of your injuries.
3. Document the evidence
If you are able to safely do so, gather evidence at the scene of the crash. Using your smartphone or another camera, take photographs of everything at the scene, including damages to vehicles, possible causes of the crash, any injuries, skid marks or debris, traffic and weather conditions, and more. If there were any eyewitnesses, get their names and contact information. Get the names, driver’s license number, and insurance information of any other drivers involved.
4. Contact your insurance carrier
You will need to contact your personal insurance carrier as soon as possible to report that an accident has occurred. Do not skip this step, as a delay could result in your claim being denied.
5. Be ready for conversations with the trucker’s insurance carrier
You need to be ready for any phone calls from the insurance carrier of the truck driver or trucking company. Regardless of how friendly their insurance claims adjusters may seem, please understand that they are not your friend. Do not give a recorded statement, and do not go into detail about your accident. They will use any information you provide them against you in an effort to lower any settlement amount that they pay. Because truck companies have more resources than most injury victims, you need to consider securing assistance from an attorney who works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will have no legal fees until after your attorney secures the compensation you need.
6. Contact an attorney for help today
One of the most important things you can do after being injured by the negligent actions of a truck driver or trucking company is to seek legal assistance. At Washington Injury Law, you can count on having experienced team by your side with the resources necessary to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. Our goal is to secure the compensation you need, which can include coverage of all medical bills, lost income and benefits, pain and suffering damages, and possible punitive damages against the truck driver or company. When you need a Washington truck accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 206-960-4522.