What to Do Immediately After a Truck Accident
Truck accidents are very serious and may lead to massive destruction, critical wounds or even deaths. Texas is one of the states with heavy traffic due to these long vehicles on its roads; hence, it experiences many lorry crushes, which are very hazardous because of their sizes and weights. In case you have ever engaged in a motor crash involving a lorry, first of all, you should keep calm and then do what?
The answer is simple – follow some easy rules that will guarantee your safety, prevent any violations of law from occurring, as well as ensure gathering evidence needed both for insurance purposes and probable lawsuits. Knowledge of the immediate steps to take after being involved in a truck accident could determine how well you heal physically, emotionally, and financially.
Ensure Safety First
Safety comes first in every accident. In case of a minor crash and you are not seriously injured, it is important that you move your car to the side so that it does not block the way for other drivers, who may also end up causing more accidents. When on a busy highway or road, turn on your hazard lights to make other motorists aware that you have been involved in an accident. This will stop other cars crashing into you and give you space to think about what to do next.
After ensuring that you are out of any immediate danger, the next step is to look for any form of injuries, yours as well as those of the other victims. Even if you feel okay at first, being in a car crash can make your body produce a lot of adrenaline, which will hide pain for some time. One can fail to recognize some common injuries, such as whiplashes or internal bleeding.
If there are any indications of fire, fuel spills, or any other form of danger, leave the place at once and keep yourself safe away from it. Unless someone’s life is in immediate danger, avoid trying to move a person who looks seriously injured.
Call Emergency Services
Calling 911 is crucial in ensuring fast response from emergency personnel like police, ambulances, and firefighters at the scene of a truck accident. The role of the police will be to record what happened, make an official report, and inquire about the cause of the crash. For this reason, the report is very important for insurance and legal matters.
Be sure to give all necessary details when calling 911. These may include your location, how many cars are involved, and if there are any casualties. The more accurate and precise you are, the faster the emergency services will arrive. Keep your phone switched on and stay where you can be seen if you cannot talk so that it is easy for the paramedics to locate you immediately.
Seek Medical Attention
It is important to see a doctor immediately after the accident, even if you think that you are okay. The reason for this is that some injuries, particularly those affecting soft tissues, e.g., whiplash, may not produce immediate symptoms but get worse with time. By doing this, one will be able to identify any concealed injuries and come up with a treatment plan with the help of a medical professional.
On top of that, going for a medical examination after involvement in a truck mishap gives rise to medical records, which are crucial when one wants to make compensation claims. Your claim could be reduced by the insurance company if they see that you have not received any medical attention after the accident. Be sure to have every little ache and pain checked out by a doctor; this will guarantee that you stay healthy for years to come and also prevent any possible legal issues on your part.
Document the Scene
After you have been attended to by the emergency services and received medical treatment, it is important to gather information concerning the accident. If possible, photograph the scene comprehensively; this should include damages on every car, any road skid marks, and other related road attributes from different views. Such photos will play a crucial role in determining liability in your lawsuit.
On top of that, make sure you get statements from witnesses and their contacts, too. Eyewitnesses are essential in strengthening your side of the story and may give some important facts that are not obvious from the police report alone. Don’t forget to note down the truck’s registration number, the company that owns it, and any unique features on the lorry. In case there are other automobiles present, ensure that you take down similar details concerning their drivers, too.
Exchange Information with the Truck Driver
Afterwards, communicate with the lorry driver. Ensure that you gather his/her name in full, telephone contact, driving permit number, insurance particulars, and the firm he/she is working for. On top of this, take note of the truck’s number plate and see if there is any damage to the vehicle.
Although it is crucial to share such information, one should be careful not to admit liability or say anything that may suggest they are responsible for the accident just yet. The truth is that any form of admission can turn against you in a personal injury claim lawsuit. So, just collect all the needed information and leave it for now until the insurance companies and police establish what happened.
Avoid Making Statements That Could Hurt Your Case
One should be careful about what they say after an accident involving a truck. It is important that one does not admit liability, say sorry, speculate on the events leading to the accident or even admit partial liability. Anything said can be used against them by insurance companies and legal teams. Equally important is that one should not give any written or recorded statements to insurance adjusters before talking to a lawyer.
It is advisable that one waits until he has talked with a personal injury lawyer before speaking to the insurance adjusters. The adjusters might want to pay you less money by arguing that you were at fault or even denying your compensation using your own words against you. This will ensure that you have someone looking out for your best interests throughout the process.
Contact a Lawyer
Truck accident cases in Dallas, Texas, are usually complicated. They touch on issues such as responsibility, laws governing trucking companies, and insurance claims. Therefore, one should act very fast to hire a competent personal injury lawyer. This legal expert will gather evidence about the accident, negotiate with the parties concerned, and ensure that you get fair compensation from the insurer.
Your attorney will make sure that you know what choices you have under the law and see to it that you get paid back for any injuries, including but not limited to pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages. It may seem difficult to deal with a case of a truck accident, but if you have someone knowledgeable about Texas laws on your side, then everything will go smoothly and efficiently.
Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
After getting medical attention, speaking with a lawyer and informing the insurance company about the accident, one should take the following steps. It is important to file your claim promptly so that you can be certain that all damages and injuries will be covered under the policy in question. When calling your insurer, let them know about the accident, but don’t say too much. First of all, speak with your attorney before saying anything to them.
Make sure that you document all communication with your insurance provider, for example, emails, letters, and texts, among others. This information will be useful in determining whether or not you had coverage and if any follow-up is needed.
Conclusion
What you do after a truck accident is very important in ensuring that you stay safe, healthy, compensated and secure. First of all, ensure your safety, call for help, gather evidence, and then talk to an experienced lawyer. These are not simple matters, and it may be difficult for you to move forward with your case because of the legal issues involved. You may not have a competent attorney at law who can also deal effectively with any insurance company problems.
In case you or someone else has had a truck crash in Dallas, Texas, today is the day – call Byron C. Bailey & Associates, PLLC now! Follow and subscribe to stay informed and get the legal support you deserve!