A truck accident is quite different from any other road mishaps because the damages caused in 18-wheeler accidents are far worse. With possibilities of lives being lost, the complications and costs of big rig accidents go far beyond the initial damages that meet the eye.
The immediate steps that you take after the accident are crucial in recovering your losses. A big rig accident can leave victims disoriented and confused about what to do next.
Let’s take a look at the essential steps that should be followed after a truck accident to ensure that you receive the justice you deserve.
Call for Medical Help
Nothing beats the issue of your health and safety. If you have been involved in a truck accident, call for medical attention. Make sure that your injuries caused due to a truck accident are taken care of immediately. Some injuries that you might be afflicted with might not be visible in the beginning, but might cause considerable damage later on.
Sometimes, refusing medical help can be used against you in the case. Additionally, if you do not report your injuries, it might get quite difficult to relate those to the accident later on.
Call the Police
It is extremely important to call the police and file a report of the accident immediately. Even if you think that little to no damage has been caused in the accident, it is crucial to have the accident reported. This is because such documentation serves as an important evidence later on in the case.
Document the Accident Scene
Truck drivers are required to follow certain rules to prevent catastrophes on the road. On violating such rules, the drivers or the truck companies might be held responsible for the accident. Documenting the accident scene gives you enough evidence to move forward with. It also serves as the proof to have a concrete case against the driver or the truck company.
You can do the following to secure evidence:
You can take pictures of the damaged vehicles, skid marks or any other evidence of the accident and the damages caused.
If you can, then take down all the information you need including the driver’s name, license plate number, company name, registration information etc.
Do not miss out on the contact information of any witness to the accident because you might need to contact them later on in the case to validate your experience of the accident.
Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer
Choosing the right lawyer is a crucial part of the steps that you would need to take. Do a bit of research to locate the best truck accident attorney near you. You can follow the steps mentioned below:
If you have a family lawyer, you can ask him/her for a recommendation.
Once you have the recommendation ready, look for more information. You can visit the lawyer’s website to check the credentials, experience and previous verdicts. Do not move ahead with an attorney unless you are sure enough about his knowledge and success rate.
Another sure way to determine the expertise of the lawyer is by going through the reviews of his/her previous clients. Client testimonials can open a lot of doors that you never thought existed.
As soon as you shortlist a few attorneys, give them a call and schedule interviews. Most truck accident lawyers offer free consultation. You can talk about your case and listen to their predictions about the future of the case. They might question you a lot on this, but that is just to verify if they can work with you or not.
Once all the above steps are completed, you can take your pick.
Notify the Insurance Company
Do not forget to report the accident to the insurance company. Be truthful about the accident and do not sign any papers without consulting a lawyer. Such a case should be handled very carefully since it harbors the risk of you losing out on your coverage.
Do not panic, the worst that could have happened is over. Now it is the time to deal with the consequences. Be patient and follow the correct measure to ensure that you recover the compensation for your losses.