Truck accidents can be very traumatic, and the most affected victims are usually those in the smaller vehicles. Typically, you may sustain severe injuries and incur expenses due to the accident. As expected, many trucking companies and their insurers will be reluctant to pay you what you’re actually due.
In this case, you need to know what to do if you’re involved in the accident. This will ensure you get an appropriate compensation and avoid the delayed process of getting it. Read on to learn more.
Medical Attention Comes First
When you or other victims have sustained severe injuries, you first need to medical help. Call 999 or use another good car to get medical help from the nearest health center. Getting medical evaluation is also essential as you’ll need the details to pursue compensation.
Keep in mind that some injuries might not be apparent at the time of the accident. You might sustain underlying injuries that can take a few days or even a week to show up. Also, ensure other victims at the scene have received the medical help they need.
Gather Information
Your lawyer and the insurance company will need to know all the details of the accident in order to conduct a seamless claim process. Take the name and contact details of the truck driver. The driver should also give you the details of the truck owner, and this can be an individual or business. Check the trailer of the truck for any other names if they’re different.
In some cases, there are usually several companies that own the truck or are somewhat involved in the management. If there are any other witnesses at the scene, be sure to approach them. Get the contact details of those who are willing to come forward to give their account of the accident.
Take Pictures
Pictures are a powerful way of documenting the accident in a way that it’s easy to explain. The photos should also show the plate numbers of all the vehicles involved in the accident. It will also be great if you have before-pictures of your car. Remember to take pictures of all the people at the scene. Some people tend to deny being at the scene when it comes to legal processes.
Get the Details of the Officer at the Scene
After every accident, the investigating officer at the scene is required by the law to produce a crash report. The report always covers every detail of the crash, and you’ll need a copy of that report when filing your claim. Keep in mind that the report alone won’t win the case; it’s just one of the many things you’ll need.
The name, badge number, and the agency of the officer are some of the information you need to secure. Speak to the officer to get all the necessary details and know the essential steps you need to follow.
Get Your Lawyer Involved
In most accidents, insurance companies tend to be hasty to speed up the compensation process. They’ll want to give you the minimal compensation possible to get you off their back. This usually is the case if you sustain severe injuries and have an elongated hospital stay.
In this case, your lawyer will protect your rights and gather all the relevant information as you recover. You need a professional lawyer who is adept at personal injury law to fight for you. Make sure you spend a considerable amount of time when looking for one. Once you get a truck accident lawyer noted, the claim process will be more feasible.
The Takeaway!
The laws and regulations of truck accidents can be too complicated for most people to comprehend. Working with a reputable and experienced lawyer will allow the entire process to go more smoothly. So, if you or a loved one is involved in a truck accident it helps to get all necessary details documented and work with a supportive and empathetic lawyer.
Shift Frequency © 2017 – What to Do if You’re Involved in a Truck Accident