You might have come across stories about an automobile accident in the news. Many of these heartbreaking news involve car accidents with semi-trucks. Unfortunately, these large trucks often lead to severe damage and hurt because of their sheer size. They also combine trailers carrying various types of cargo that can become hazardous when involved in accidents. Most people wonder what to do when involved in one of these truck accidents. A lot is going through their heads, and they need to know how best to handle things. Here are six tips to help you deal with a truck accident the right way.
1. Speak To A Lawyer Before You Sign Settlement Documents
This is very important when dealing with semi-truck accidents because the size of these vehicles often means their drivers’ insurance companies tend to try and not pay out as much money on claims. Sometimes these types of accidents lead to long-term disabilities that can make life difficult for individuals if their injuries aren’t adequately addressed by the trucking company that was behind the wheel at the time of the incident. For your interests and well-being, click here to speak to a lawyer about your situation. A lawyer can help you understand your rights and how best to move forward with the case.
2. Seek Medical Attention Immediately After A Trucking Accident
Sometimes people who come across a truck accident don’t seek medical attention. They assume there isn’t anything wrong with them or that they have no injuries associated with the incident. The problem is, if you’re involved in a semi-truck wreck and receive minor injuries, they can turn into major issues later on. You want to go through some initial exams to be sure you didn’t miss anything initially before going forward with a case involving a truck accident.
3. Make Sure You Get Some Professional Photos
When you come across an accident, it’s easy to take out your smartphone and snap some pictures of the damage. But if you value the safety of others, these images could be used to show everyone what happened. If you can’t prove who was at fault for the incident, the other party could go after your insurance company because they feel they’re owed more than what you’re offering them. A good attorney will help ensure that all photos taken are private and won’t be shared with anyone else who doesn’t need to see them.
4. Be On The Lookout For Any Cargo From The Truck Wreck
Truck drivers typically load their vehicles with different types of cargo. This might include perishable goods, steel coils, lumber, and more. Suppose these items become detached from the truck in a collision caused by driver negligence or another incident. In that case, you want to do your best to collect as many pieces of it as possible and adequately document where they were found after the accident. Some cargo can be valuable in court cases that deal with semi-truck accidents. This can show how the accident occurred and what happened when all the evidence was gathered.
5. Get A Copy Of The Police Report
If you come across a truck accident and the police arrive on the scene, they’ll likely take your report. But if there isn’t anyone available to do so, you need to get one from the incident scene without waiting around. This report can help establish who was at fault for the collision, which is very important when dealing with insurance companies later on down the road or during settlement negotiations.
6. Don’t Settle Any Claims Without Legal Consult
There are several reasons not to do this. The legal system moves incredibly slowly in most cases, so waiting until after an accident to get going with things can lead to further injuries and even fatalities down the line if there’s a chance another truck accident could happen soon afterward. It also means you miss out on collecting money for damages because of how time-sensitive these matters can be in some cases. Lawyers will know what needs to be done here from start to finish, and they’ll be able to get the job done quickly and correctly too.
Once you’ve been in a truck accident, it’s essential to take the proper steps after the fact. The accident can cause a lot of damage and bodily harm. It’s vital to understand what you should do if this happens to you or a loved one, which is why we’ve compiled these tips so that you know exactly how to proceed from start to finish in the face of such an incident. They can also help you do just that, so make sure not to ignore them if this happens to you or someone you love one day.
