Important things to do after a truck accident include seeking medical attention, documenting the scene, keeping extensive records, and consulting with an attorney. The decisions you make in the hours and days after your truck crash can impact your health and legal standing.
Large commercial trucks play an important role in our economy, but they also present a hazard when operated by negligent or inexperienced drivers. If you are in an accident with a semi-truck or 18-wheeler, you may be entitled to compensation.
A Bellevue truck accident lawyer can help you make the right choices to preserve your case after an accident. Our team has recovered over $100 million for injured accident victims. Call today to schedule a free case review and tell us about your truck accident.
Get Medical Attention
The first and most important thing to do after a truck accident is to get medical attention. If paramedics arrived on the scene and wanted to take you to the emergency room, hopefully, you complied.
If not, see a doctor as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, can have delayed symptoms that don’t appear for days or weeks. Get checked out by a medical professional to address your health needs.
Seeing a doctor and complying with their directions also creates a record that bolsters your insurance claim or serves as evidence in case legal action becomes necessary.
File a Police Report
For a major accident involving a commercial truck, the police likely arrived on the scene and will handle the report. If they didn’t, it is smart to file a report within 24 hours of the incident. A police report lends credibility to your story and helps identify liable parties.
In fact, depending on where you live, a police report may be legally required. For example, in Washington State, you must report collision damage within four days of your accident if police did not arrive to document the incident.
Speak With an Attorney
It is a good idea to consult with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible, and before insurance companies have a chance to contact you. A lawyer can advise you on what to do after a truck accident and avoid potential pitfalls that could compromise your legal standing.
For example, some insurance companies may contact you with a settlement offer soon after the truck crash. However, the offer may be much lower than what your case is actually worth. They’re hoping you don’t know that, and that you’ll sign away your rights for a bargain price.
An experienced lawyer will know what your case is worth and can interact with insurance companies on your behalf. Your attorney can file your claim, assess your damages, and negotiate for a fair settlement after your truck accident.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Don’t forget to report the accident to your insurance company, even if you weren’t at fault. Your policy often requires this. In no-fault states, your insurer may cover expenses regardless of who caused the crash.
It’s important to stick to the facts when you’re reporting, and do not admit any fault. Take the time to understand what your policy covers, and be sure to get a claim number and the contact information of the assigned adjuster.
Create a Personal Report
The more information you can provide to your attorney, the better they can serve your interests. You might consider writing a narrative of how the accident occurred from your perspective.
Include details such as the time of day, weather conditions, the actions of other drivers, and anything else you can think of.
If possible, take a picture of the accident scene and your vehicle. Collect the names and numbers of people who witnessed the crash. While your attorney will perform a professional investigation, your report may help them uncover evidence to support your case.
Keep Detailed Records
The amount you receive from your insurance claim will depend largely on the severity of your accident and your compensatory damages. These are the costs and expenses you’ve incurred because of the truck crash, such as:
- Emergency room and ambulance fees
- Medical care
- Future medical needs
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Property damage
By keeping track of your bills and invoices, you can help your attorney accurately assess your economic hardships when calculating your maximum compensation amount. They can use this number for your claim, and later to negotiate for a fair settlement that covers your costs.
Safeguard Your Information
While you will want to keep your family and friends up to date on your life after the accident, it is important to avoid sharing too much information. This is especially true on social media, where other people can read what you post.
Some insurance companies may employ investigators to track you online and make note of your statements. The hope is that you’ll say or do something they can use against you to deny your claim. They may also call you, feigning concern, when they are really fishing for information.
Avoid sharing important details of your case online or downplaying your injury, even if it is just to prevent people from worrying. You can leave most of the communication with the insurance company to your attorney.
Get Help After a Truck Accident
Huge, powerful trucks can cause tremendous damage when operated irresponsibly. Knowing what to do after a truck accident can ensure you get the medical care you need as quickly as possible.
Making the right choices after your accident also means you preserve your legal case, in the event that the liable party’s insurance company refuses to pay your claim. You’ll need to speak with an attorney, who can use your medical report and other evidence to support your claim.
Our team at Premier Law Group has over 55 years of combined experience advocating for the rights of injured accident victims. Call today to schedule your free case review and find out how we can help.
Jason at premier law group is truly an outstanding individual. Our particular case was not something that their firm usually sees but they were more than willing to help us and give us all of the information they had available. I can't recommend them enough.