What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?
Truck accidents are potentially catastrophic events that can have long-lasting effects on those injured. In the moments following such an event, you must remain calm and focus on the safety of yourself and any passengers in your vehicle.
After grappling with the situation, you may want to take certain measures in the hours, days, and weeks following your accident to ensure your safety and help give yourself the best chance to recover financial compensation.
Call Herschensohn Law today to learn more about what you should do after a truck accident in a free case review.
Safety Should Be Your First Priority After a Truck Accident
Before you do anything else, you should move your car safely out of the flow of traffic, turn it off, and put your hazards on. However, truck accidents can severely damage or total your car. If this happens to you, call the police and let them know the urgency of your situation.
Do not leave your vehicle unless it is safe to do so. If your accident takes place on a major highway, wait where you are until emergency services arrive.
Checking for Injuries
Before calling the police, you should check whether you or any passengers in your vehicle have suffered injuries. Whether these injuries look minor or severe, it is best to call 911 and have a medical professional conduct a physical examination as soon as possible.
Call the Police to the Truck Accident Scene
Even if no one sustained injuries, your accident occurred in a safe place, and/or your car still works, you should call the police, as it can:
- - Create a record of your accident
- - Allow the police to make the accident scene as safe as possible
- - Allow you to give your statement to the police following the accident
- - Allow the police to recover eyewitness testimonies, if any
- - Create a police report that may be useful if you take legal action against the liable party or parties
Additionally, emergency services that arrive with the police can look at injuries and determine further necessary medical treatment.
Take Pictures of the Truck Accident Scene
After your accident, one of the most useful things you can do is take photos of the damage to your car and the truck that crashed into you. You should also take pictures of any other vehicles involved in the accident and of anything else that was damaged in your wreck, such as a median or a streetlight.
You can use these photos as evidence should you need to seek legal representation following your accident. Do not take these pictures until the scene of your accident is safe. It is never worth putting yourself in a dangerous situation to obtain these photographs.
Seek Prompt Medical Care Following a Truck Collision
If you suffered any injuries, even if you think they are minor, or if you simply do not feel right following your accident, you should seek medical attention. Common injuries from truck accidents include:
- - Broken bones and fractures
- - Lacerations
- - Internal organ damage
- - Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- - Back injuries
- - Neck injuries
Some of these injuries, like TBI, may take days to start to show symptoms, and you may feel fine after your accident, according to Mayo Clinic. Waiting to receive care can allow your injuries more time to manifest, potentially leading to long-term damage.
Keep in mind that the other party should cover all medical expenses. Otherwise, you can take legal action to ensure that you are not paying for anything that resulted from someone else's negligence.
Consult With Our Attorney Who Handles Truck Accident Cases
After your accident, you may feel that you can handle the claims process on your own.
However, consulting an attorney following your accident may have various benefits. While they do not bear responsibility for paying for damages caused by a truck accident, claimants may do following an accident that makes it more difficult for them to obtain fair compensation.
Accidentally Admitting Fault for the Crash
A day or two following the crash, you may receive phone calls from your insurance company and/or the other party’s insurance company. Do not accidentally admit fault for what happened during this time.
Insurance companies can use your answers against you when they determine fault and what amount of payment you should receive. Be honest with the insurance company, and stick to the basic details of the crash.
If you hire an attorney from our firm to represent you, they can guide you through the process of speaking with insurance companies and even speak to them on your behalf.
Not Adhering to the Statute of Limitations
In the state of Washington, truck accident claimants usually have three years to produce a lawsuit against the liable party, according to RCW 4.16.080. If you do not bring your lawsuit forward in this time frame, you may not be able to obtain compensation for damages.
After an accident, focus on healing from your injuries and getting your life back in order rather than bringing forth a lawsuit against the liable party. That is where working with an attorney at our firm can help you. They can work on your behalf, compiling evidence and filing your lawsuit before the deadline while you recover from your injuries.
Our Attorney Can Explain What You Should Do After a Truck Accident
At Herschensohn Law, we want to see all of our clients recover the compensation they deserve. By following the steps provided above after your truck accident, you give yourself a great chance at recovering fair compensation.
When you are ready to speak with a legal representative, contact our firm at (206) 588-4344. The first call comes at no cost or obligation. We also work based on contingency, meaning we do not take any upfront fees and only receive our payment if we secure compensation for you.
