The consequences of a truck-related car accident can be severe. Your life could literally change overnight, particularly if one or more of the people in your car were killed or critically hurt.
The likelihood that anyone in your car will suffer some sort of physical or mental harm in the event that a 15-ton tractor trailer or delivery truck collides with it is very high. The drivers and passengers of the car are frequently severely injured in collisions with trucks and require immediate medical attention as well as legal and financial support.
To ensure the best possible physical, emotional, and financial outcome for yourself and your fellow passengers in the event of a truck accident, it is crucial that you take all necessary action.
Here are 7 tips for what to do if you have been involved in an accident with a truck:
Tip 1: Contact the authorities:
If you are able to move and it appears safe to do so, call the police or state patrol as soon as possible after the accident. You must call one of these local or state-level authorities to the scene so they can attend to anyone who may be hurt or at risk of harm, record witness statements, and gather information about the circumstances and causes of the accident.
Tip 2: Obtain the insurance information of the truck driver:
Ask the truck driver for his or her driver’s license, insurance information, and license plate number whether or not you can immediately contact a law enforcement officer. Having this information on file will be crucial. Even if you, your passengers, and your car appear to have escaped the collision relatively unharmed, it is always important to record the incident. Some of the accident’s effects might manifest years down the road.
Tip 3: Do not admit fault:
Some people who have recently experienced the shock and emotional trauma of a truck accident feel the need to share their experience with others right away. It is crucial that you refrain from accepting any responsibility for what occurred while you are still at the accident scene. It is likely that, unless you are a lawyer, you are not aware of all the possible repercussions associated with determining who was at fault in an accident. It is typically within your rights to withhold any statements to police or to other drivers that might be self-incriminating, even if you believe you were partially at fault. Ask the authorities if you are able to leave the scene after providing your contact and driver information. Ask to have a lawyer of your choice present during any questioning if the response is “no,” and do not respond to any further queries if it is not granted.
Tip 4: Check your car and the surrounding area for damage:
Take as many pictures of the accident scene as you can if you happen to have a camera with you. Take pictures of your vehicle, the truck that hit it, and any relevant nearby objects, such as telephone poles and other vehicles. Take pictures of the scene of the collision, any tire or skid marks, and any damage to either vehicle. This has become simple to do thanks to mobile devices with cameras. It is best to keep those photos private between you and your attorney until they let you know you must give them to anyone else.
Tip 5: See a doctor:
Depending on the severity of your injuries, your first stop after leaving the accident scene ought to be at your doctor’s office or a close-by hospital. Request an ambulance or arrange for a friend or relative to drive you somewhere you can get immediate medical attention if you believe you are unable to drive. In the days or weeks following your accident, if you do not at first feel injured, you might start to feel pains in your body. If this is the case, make sure to see a doctor and discuss your concerns then. If you or any passengers suffer injuries as a result of the collision, it will be harder to prove your personal injury claim the longer you wait to get medical care after the collision. It is best to get medical help right away because you might be hurt but not be aware of it because of heightened adrenaline or even shock.
Tip 6: Notify your insurance company:
In Texas, you must inform your insurance provider as soon as it’s practical after an accident. Different insurance policies have different “Duties after Loss” provisions and requirements. Even after you have called to report the collision, it is best to send a letter as soon as possible providing written notice of a claim. Notifying your insurance provider should be your top priority after taking care of your urgent medical needs and thoroughly documenting the accident. If your insurance provider reasonably requests it, you may provide them with information about your accident. A recorded or unrecorded statement to the trucker’s insurance company is almost never a good idea.
Tip 7: Contact an injury lawyer:
As soon as possible after an accident, it is always advisable to speak with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. Being in a car accident with a truck has a lot of potential consequences, some of which can have an impact on your long-term health, your finances, and your mental health. Most of the time, your attorney will carry out a thorough investigation of their own to ascertain your legal position in light of the accident. Any and all records you may have made of the accident will need to be made immediately available to your attorney. Your attorney works as your ally to ensure that you receive just compensation and that the accident has the least possible impact on your legal rights and financial situation.
Your life can drastically change in the instant you are involved in a truck accident. Your quality of life for years to come can be greatly improved by making the right decisions at the accident scene and in the days and weeks that follow.