Steps To Take After A Truck Accident
Don’t Get Taken Advantage Of
Truck accidents, like any auto accident, can result in serious injuries and significant damage due to the size and weight of commercial trucks.
When involved in a truck accident, it is essential to take immediate steps that protect your health and ability to seek compensation for your injuries or losses.
Reacting quickly after an incident ensures you have everything appropriately documented and increases your chances for recovery.
Below are some of the most important steps you can take and why they’re critical to your potential case.
Assess Your Condition
After a truck accident, your priority should be to assess your condition and check on others involved. If anyone appears injured or unresponsive, immediately call 911 for medical help.
Ensuring everyone’s safety can prevent further complications.
Move to a Safe Area
If your vehicle is still drivable, move it out of the traffic flow.
If it’s safe, get yourself and any passengers to the side of the road.
This minimizes risks for you and other drivers while reducing potential secondary accidents at the scene.
Turn On Hazard Lights
As part of this process, activate your hazard lights immediately.
These lights will increase visibility and alert approaching drivers that they need to proceed with caution around your vehicle.
Call Law Enforcement
Law enforcement must arrive on the scene following an accident involving trucks since police reports play an essential role in documenting incidents accurately; this information may become crucial when determining liability later during the claims process.
Additionally, it is important to report the accident to law enforcement and your insurance company to ensure all legal obligations are met and to obtain an official police report for future legal claims.
When speaking with officers concerning what happened, stick to accurate details without admitting fault or speculating on the cause of the accident.
Provide facts about your account of events and let law enforcement do their job.
Once police complete their initial investigation, request a copy of the accident report for your records.
Collect Information at the Scene
Ensuring you collect information from involved parties at the accident scene is an essential step after a truck accident. This includes:
Exchange Details
Make sure you obtain essential details from the truck driver including their name, phone number, insurance information, and the company’s name. This will be crucial if you need to file any claims against them. Also get the truck driver’s insurance, registration, and driver’s license details.
Document License Plates
Write down the truck’s license plate number and Department of Transportation (DOT) number. This information helps accurately identify the vehicle involved in the accident and is essential for future claims or investigations.
Take Photos and Videos
Capture images and videos of everything at the scene, focusing on vehicle damage, visible injuries, road conditions, traffic signs, and other relevant details. Visual documentation can play a role in supporting your case when you seek compensation.
Obtain Witness Information
If there are witnesses to the accident who can provide an objective account of what transpired, collect their names and contact details.
These statements may be crucial later on, as they corroborate your version of events.
Take Photos and Videos
Capturing photos and videos of the accident scene is critical in documenting evidence for your truck accident claim.
This visual evidence can help establish the accident’s cause, the damage’s extent, and the injuries sustained.
When taking photos and videos, make sure to capture the following:
The position of the vehicles involved
The damage to the vehicles
Any visible injuries or harm to the parties involved
The road conditions and any relevant signs or markings
Any other pertinent details that may be useful in supporting your claim
It’s also essential to take photos and videos of any evidence that may be time-sensitive, such as skid marks or debris.
This evidence can be crucial in determining liability and fault in the accident.
By thoroughly documenting the accident scene, you provide your truck accident lawyer with valuable information to build a strong case.
VIN, DOT Registration Number, Plate, and Other Details
If you were involved in a truck accident, it is essential to get the truck’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), license plate number, and other relevant details.
This information can help identify the car and its owner and gather more information about the truck’s maintenance and safety record.
You can find the VIN on the truck’s dashboard or the driver’s side doorjamb.
The license plate number can be found on the truck’s license plate. Other relevant details may include:
The truck’s make and model
The truck’s year and mileage
The name and contact information of the truck’s owner or operator
The name and contact information of the trucking company
This information can be crucial in your truck accident claim, as it helps identify the responsible parties and provides a basis for further investigation into the truck’s history and condition.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Even if you don’t feel seriously injured right away, it’s imperative to see a doctor if you’re banged up.
Some injuries may not manifest immediately, either because of delayed onset or adrenaline from the accident.
However, they can become serious health issues if you don’t get checked out.
Consulting a medical professional following an accident is crucial to assess injuries that may not be immediately apparent and to ensure timely medical evaluation for both health and legal reasons.
Follow Up With Your Doctor
Stay committed to following all prescribed treatments from healthcare providers for proper recovery.
Sticking to medical advice helps ensure healing, and it strengthens your case by showing insurers that you’re doing everything necessary to recover fully.
Get a Lawyer
Do not communicate with the trucking company’s insurance adjuster.
They may try to settle quickly for less than what you’re entitled to and could use your statements against you later.
To protect yourself, hire a lawyer and do not discuss the details of the accident or your injuries without legal guidance.
Do Not Sign Anything
Refrain from signing any releases or agreements presented by insurance adjusters or other parties involved before consulting with a lawyer.
Signing documents might limit your ability to claim additional compensation later, especially if it includes language that waives rights you don’t fully understand.
Contacting a Truck Accident Lawyer
After taking the necessary steps following a truck accident, it is essential to discuss your situation with an experienced trucking lawyer.
A truck accident attorney will help you understand your rights and legal options while fighting for the compensation you deserve.
They will work on gathering evidence, negotiating with trucking and insurance companies, and ensuring you get everything you’re entitled to.
Due to their larger size and weight, truck accidents often result in severe injuries, which can lead to significant harm and fatalities.
Following these steps after a truck accident protects your health and preserves evidence necessary for pursuing fair compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer.
Understanding Your Rights
As a truck accident victim, understanding your rights is crucial to ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.
One of the first things to be aware of is the statute of limitations for filing a claim.
In Kentucky, you typically have 2 years, which is extended by your last PIP payment in many situations but may also be reduced depending on the circumstances.
Loss of consortium claims from an accident carry just a one-year statute of limitations.
You may be entitled to various forms of compensation, including:
Medical expenses
This covers reimbursement for medical bills, hospital stays, and ongoing treatment.
Lost wages
Compensation for the time you missed from work due to your injuries.
Property damage
Reimbursement for damages to your vehicle or other property.
Pain and suffering
Compensation for the physical and emotional distress caused by the accident.
Emotional distress
Compensation for anxiety, depression, or other emotional trauma resulting from the accident.
Consulting with a truck accident lawyer is essential to understand your rights and potential compensation. A knowledgeable attorney can help you navigate the complex legal process and ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Call Kentucky’s Top Trucking Attorneys
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Kentucky, the decisions you make in the days and weeks following the crash can significantly impact your future.
The trucking company already has a team working to minimize your claim.
Shouldn’t you have experienced attorneys fighting for your rights?
Contact Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Our team will evaluate your case, explain your options, and help you understand how we will pursue everything you are owed.
All at no up-front cost to you.
Louisville
1900 Plantside Drive
Louisville, KY
(502) 888-8888
Lexington
620 W. Main St.
Lexington, KY
(859) 888-8000
