Nobody likes to think about the possibility of getting into an accident of any sort. However, realistically speaking, as an adult, you need to always be prepared for the worst possible scenarios. Many people don’t think there’s much to do once they’re in an accident but call the police and their insurance company to get compensation for damages. Meanwhile, there are several things to be done on the scene of a truck accident to build a strong claim, and here they are:
1. Get Medical Attention
This should go without saying, but the first thing you must do after a truck accident is to get immediate medical care. The size and weight of trucks vary completely from normal vehicles, and that’s why their impact is highly severe and dangerous. Besides making sure you are fine, seeking medical attention plays a huge part in building a strong claim with documents proving the physical damages you suffered from the crash. This will encourage the other party to offer a larger settlement.
2. File A Report
Another crucial step to follow after a truck accident is to call the police right away if no one on the scene already has. This is not only to ensure the safety of everyone on the scene as well as the parties involved but also to keep official documentation of the time of the accident and the specifics surrounding it right at the moment it happened. This is why you’ll need to request a copy of the police report for your claim.
3. Get The Necessary Information
Many people assume that the police will gather all the necessary information when they come to the incident scene and disclose it to them later. However, it’s vital that you exchange information with the other party while still on the scene of the crash. The essential information you should ask for is their name, address, phone number, insurance company, and policy information, license number for the driver, and the contact info for the truck driver’s employer.
4. Gather Evidence
You have a right to gather your own evidence at the accident scene, and you should definitely practice it for a stronger claim. The first thing you should do is take out your phone and take as many photos and videos of the scene and the damages. After that, check for any witnesses that saw the whole thing happen and record their statements and take their contact information in case they need to be called to provide an official statement.
5. Keep Documentation
The pictures and witness information are considered documentation of the scene at the moment of the accident. That’s why it’s important you keep them and make copies in case they are lost or deleted somehow. It’s also possible that you have to miss work after being involved in a truck accident, which is also something you should keep documentation of for a more fair settlement. You must also keep documentation of all the medical bills you were sent, whether it’s the ambulance that moved you to the hospital, your ER bill, or even just the prescription for medications.
6. Contact Your Insurance Company
Another thing that should be done in an accident is quickly contacting and notifying your insurance company about it. Even if you’re not planning to file a claim right away, don’t wait too long after the accident to report it, so it can be saved in your file for whenever you want to file for compensation. However, it stops there, don’t try to give in to any insurance adjuster that will call you and offer a seemingly tempting amount yet not as fair as it should be.
7. Hire An Attorney
So who will be able to handle these insurance adjusters and their settlement offers? A professional personal injury lawyer can and is the only answer to getting the fair settlement that you deserve. A specialized attorney will know all the technicalities surrounding the procedures of building a strong claim and filing it correctly so that you guarantee your rights. They will handle all the legal paperwork as well as negotiate with the insurance company after presenting all needed evidence.
There you have it, these are the steps you need to follow if you’re ever in an accident. While it may seem complicated at first, most of these will come to you naturally without realizing you’re following the right procedure. Just remember to prioritize your wellbeing and do a full check-up to avoid having issues appear in the future. Once you’ve had that covered, you’ll have time to research the best possible attorney to handle your case and get the fairest compensation.
