After a truck accident, your life may be in turmoil. You might have serious injuries, property losses and damages that impact your ability to work, care for your family and enjoy the things you used to do. Getting compensation will help you rebuild your life.
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Seek Medical Attention
After a truck collision, the first and most crucial thing to do is to get emergency medical help. While it may be tempting to ignore any symptoms, doing so could be dangerous.
Injuries received in truck accidents typically result in significantly more serious injuries than those suffered in car accidents. These injuries often include bone fractures and dislocations, sprains and strains, torn tendons and muscles; whiplash, closed head trauma, and more. The medical documentation you receive can be invaluable to your attorney in building a case against the negligent party responsible for the accident. It will also help establish the cause of your injuries, such as whether they were caused by an operational error or other factors, like mechanical failure or defective parts. Keeping track of your treatment will ensure your care is maintained.
Hire an Attorney
Truck accidents are more complicated than auto accidents and cause more serious injuries. A skilled truck accident lawyer can help level the playing field against insurance companies and cargo shippers that may be reluctant to admit fault or pay fair compensation for the crash. Seeking medical attention ensures your injuries are diagnosed and treated promptly. It also creates an official record of the incident that can be used to support a compensation claim. It is important to note any damage to your vehicle and other property, the driver’s name and contact information, their license plate number, any witnesses, and more. Insurance representatives may call you after a crash to get a statement, which can be stressful and confusing. It is best to let them know you will retain an attorney and direct them to your attorney instead. An experienced lawyer will understand federal regulations, deadlines, and the types of damages available for your case.
Contact the Authorities
Truck accidents often result in astronomical medical expenses, including hospital bills, surgery costs, rehabilitation services and even future loss of income from being unable to work. An experienced truck accident lawyer will battle to secure the money you require for these medical costs and other damages. It will also help determine the liable parties in your truck crash. It includes the truck driver, the trucking company, and any companies that maintained the truck or handled its cargo. The other responsible parties might be able to claim some of the blame, such as the truck manufacturer for manufacturing a defective part or the maintenance company for failing to identify an issue with the vehicle before the accident occurred. An attorney will investigate the full extent of the truck crash and ensure that every party liable for your injuries and losses is held accountable.
Gather Evidence
Regardless of your injuries, gathering and preserving as much evidence as possible is important. It includes the police accident report, medical records, bills, invoices, receipts, pay stubs (if you miss work due to your injuries), and other documents supporting your expenses and financial losses. Obtain witness contact information and statements, and take photos of the crash site, any injuries you sustained, vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signals, weather conditions, and more. If your injuries prevent you from collecting evidence, your attorney can help. Your lawyer may also request access to truck drivers’ hours-of-service logs, which federal regulations require to electronically record how long they spend on duty and behind the wheel. They can work with forensic computer analysts to examine the logs’ metadata and other evidence that could reveal if a truck driver was tired or distracted during your crash. This evidence will support your case against the trucking company and its insurers.
