A truck accident can be an eternally scarring experience. Are you ever apprehensive when you get to a major road? Have you ever had to switch lanes on a major road or let another car overtake you? Did this happen when you were close to a truck? You probably did this because you know how dangerous trucks could be.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, while fatalities decreased from 2016 to 2017 in almost all population segments, they increased in crashes involving large trucks and SUVs. In addition, records show that 344,000 persons sustained injuries in multiple-vehicle crashes involving a truck in 2017.
You might be wondering what you would do if you were ever involved in a truck accident. Below, we explore what steps you should take if you are a truck crash victim in Atlanta. Contact our personal injury attorneys today if you want to speak to a lawyer concerning a truck accident.
Five Steps To Take After a Truck Accident
If you are ever involved in a truck accident, you should take the following steps:
1. Seek Medical Attention
Truck accidents can be severe when they occur. As such, the most crucial step to take after an accident is to seek medical help. Whether you’re in obvious pain or not, you should see a doctor as soon as you can. Unfortunately, many people do not notice the pain when the accident occurs. This makes them ignore potentially serious internal injuries until it is too late.
Even if you do not receive treatment at the crash scene, schedule a doctor’s visit as soon as you can. A medical professional will be able to give you better information on your medical condition after the accident. They will also flag if there are any injuries that you need to take care of.
2. Do Not Leave the Crash Scene
If you don’t need urgent medical attention, you must remain at the scene of the crash. Of course, you should make sure that you are not waiting on the road to prevent another accident. If your car was not totaled, you should turn on your hazard lights. You can still put cones around your vehicle and road light, especially at night.
Wait for the police to come so you will make a report. If no one has called 911, you should. A police officer will assess the situation and ask you to fill out an accident report. For record purposes, make sure to collect a copy of the accident report. This will come in handy if you ever need to present evidence in court. It will also make negotiations for compensation easier.
3. Collect Information of the Other Party
Do not leave the accident scene without collecting the details of the truck driver. You might find it hard to find the truck driver after the accident. As such, you should collect their name, the name of their company, and their phone number. Other details that can be of help are the following:
- The driver’s/their employer’s insurance information
- The driver’s license number
- The truck’s plate number
- Name, email address, and phone number of their employer
4. Document the Accident
There are several ways to document a truck accident. To do this, you could make a police report or keep records of your hospital visit. Also, you could keep records of any bills paid as a result of the accident, including medical bills, etc.
Another way is to have other tangible evidence of the accident. You can do this by taking pictures of the accident scene to prove that it happened. You could also take a video that shows who was at fault, how severe the injury was, and what damage occurred.
If you sustained any injuries in the truck accident, it would also help to take pictures of these injuries. As such, seeking compensation will be easier because it is hard to disprove this sort of evidence.
5. Speak to an Attorney First
After an accident, many people might ask you to relate your side of the story to ascertain who was at fault. However, before you speak to anyone, whether the driver’s insurance company or their employer, you must first speak to your attorney. This is to ensure that they do not catch you on record admitting to fault in the accident. An experienced lawyer will advise you on the next steps to take.
Schedule a Consultation With a Truck Accident Lawyer Today!
You do not have to leave a truck accident with injuries and no compensation. If the truck driver was at fault, you are entitled to compensation to cover damages. Our experienced attorneys at Bethune Law Firm are available to help you navigate this process. Schedule a consultation with us today to get started.
