5 Steps To Take If You Were Involved In A Truck Accident
Each year, thousands of drivers are involved in collisions. If you look closer, a significant portion of those car accidents can involve the biggest vehicles on the road: truck collisions. It is indisputable that smaller vehicles are constantly at a disadvantage over larger vehicles on the road. Some truck drivers find it difficult to operate the truck in the safest manner possible because they are going too fast, overtired, or the road conditions make it extra challenging.
Suppose you were unfortunately involved in a truck accident. In that case, it’s worth knowing that there are things you can actually do to preserve and fight for your legal rights with the help of an Albuquerque truck accident lawyer, get compensated accordingly and hopefully, recover better and move on from the traumatic experience.
Here are some steps to take if you were involved in an accident like this:
1. Call For Help
Check yourself and your surroundings. If you or anyone at the truck accident site has been injured, call 911 for help. Please give them a headcount of the number of individuals and the circumstances that transpired. This enables emergency services to send the correct number of medical responders needed by all the victims.
Remember that when the accident is still fresh, life always takes precedence over the property. Even if you are the victim, attempt to help everyone obtain the medical attention they require, especially if you can do so, particularly if you were not as gravely injured.
However, if you are, then stay where you are. Call 911 and talk about your injuries before detailing the others you can see.
2. Contact The Police
When emergency services have been alerted of the accident, calling the police is a sensible next step. No matter how little the accident is, you must always notify the police. This allows for a complete and accurate account of the occurrences to be put into writing and properly documented.
If your vehicle accident claims go to court, you, as the victim, will require those police report documents. It’s the best evidence you can present because police records are respected and taken seriously in court.
3. Gather Evidence About The Truck Accident
If you or any passengers with you can move, go about and collect as much evidence as possible. Take pictures. Moreover, if family and friends have come to check on you, you can also ask them to gather evidence on your behalf if moving around is detrimental to your physical condition.
The more evidence you have, the better. These can assist you in proving your case in court and receiving the compensation you deserve.
For instance, take detailed photos of your damaged vehicle, broken parts, skid marks, and even the location. Ask for the names and contact information of everyone else involved in the accident. You may take photos of your current physical condition to prove the extent of your physical injuries before the medics even arrive.
4. Call A Lawyer
At this point, it may also be a good idea to contact a truck accident or personal injury lawyer. The negligent party’s insurance company may ask to have a word with you as the victim, but be very careful about this. Otherwise, they may convince you to accept a settlement offer right then, which is an amount that could be way lower than what you’re entitled to receive.
Furthermore, you will need to notify your own insurance company about the collision. However, if you require medical attention, you should prioritize it, especially if you’re advised to go to the hospital. Having a lawyer on your side can help you navigate these processes so you can focus on your rehabilitation.
5. Check For Any Available Witness
With a crash as big as one that involves a truck, you can be sure that within a few minutes, a crowd of onlookers will start to crowd the area. In reality, there might be nearby bystanders who witnessed everything that occurred. Having such witnesses on your side will help you make your case.
Therefore, approach those witnesses and exchange contact information. If you’re unable to do so and your family or lawyer is now on the scene, they can also do this for you. Your lawyer will then call those witnesses in the next coming days in order for them to prepare a judicial affidavit or witness statement regarding the truck accident.
Takeaway
Being involved in an auto accident is frightening enough, let alone one involving a larger vehicle, such as a truck. Add to that the uncertainty regarding what will happen next. When stress gets the best of you, it’s normal for your rational thinking ability to be hampered. Knowing what to do after a truck accident can spell all the differences between a smooth and healthy recovery and one that’s problematic. Likewise, don’t let the list above give the false notion that you can now do everything on your own. Nothing beats having a lawyer helping you out, so hire one to walk you through the steps above.
