What Should You Do Immediately After Your Atlanta Truck Accident?

A lot of people are afraid to share the road with truck drivers. They’re intimidated by these giant machines. There’s a good reason for this. If you get into an Atlanta truck accident, you’ll be lucky to come out of it alive. These accidents are some of the most dangerous of all. The human body just can’t withstand this sort of impact. Atlanta truck accident lawyers help accident victims all the time. If you sustain serious injuries in a truck accident, then you’re probably entitled to significant damages. The best way to make this happen is to have a skilled Atlanta truck driver there by your side.

It’s important that you follow the steps outlined below. This way, you can protect your legal rights and make sure you’re okay. No matter what, your health must be your number one priority. When you meet with your truck accident lawyer for the first time, they’re going to need as much information as possible to prove your case. This includes a copy of the police report and your medical records.

You Need to Call the Police

If you get into an accident with a tractor-trailer, you have to call 911. You can’t assume that the trucker will call them on their own. The cops will come to the scene and do a thorough investigation. They’re going to make a note of all their findings and put it into their police report. Your Atlanta truck accident lawyer is going to need this report to prove the trucker was at fault. Some of the information written in this report includes:

  • Name and contact information for both drivers
  • Notation about whether either of the drivers was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the collision
  • Pictures of the scene
  • Description of road and weather conditions
  • A copy of the truck driver’s hours log and maintenance logs
  • Eyewitness statements and contact information
  • Statements made by both of the drivers

You’re going to need this information to prove your case. If you don’t call the cops, your Atlanta truck accident lawyer may never get access to this information. Once the scene is cleared, it will be almost impossible to track down eyewitnesses.

Don’t Let the Commercial Driver Take Charge of the Investigation

For some reason, when people get into an accident with a truck driver, they let the trucker take charge. While you’re waiting for the cops to come, the truck driver is on the phone with his manager. This gives the other party a head start when it comes to preparing a defense. If the truck driver gets to talk to the police officer first, you have no idea what they may tell them. Police officers tend to give tractor-trailer drivers a bit more credibility because they’re professional drivers. You can’t let yourself be taken advantage of in this way. Make sure you take control of the scene once the officers arrived.

Get to the Hospital to Be Treated by a Doctor

It’s just as important that you go to the hospital immediately following your crash. Some people insist that they’re okay. They just want to get on with their day. After spending an hour or two waiting for the cops to clear the scene, that’s understandable. However, you have to go to the emergency room. You need to be seen by a doctor who can run all the necessary tests. This way, they can determine if you have any internal injuries. if left untreated, a traumatic brain injury or punctured lung can prove fatal.

Your Atlanta truck accident lawyer is also going to need a copy of your medical records. This may be the only way they can prove your damages. You don’t want to make their job any harder than it already is.

Contact a Seasoned Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer

If you or your family member are injured in a truck accident, you need help. You’re going to need to focus on recovering from your injuries. Let an experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyer handle the legal side of things for you. The initial consultation is free, and you don’t pay a dime until your case is resolved.

You can bet the truck driver is going to have an attorney working for them. They also have their employer standing behind them. You don’t want to try to go up against them on your own. Let the Bethune Law Firm push to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.