Truck Accidents: How To Handle Them The Right Way
A truck accident can result in major injuries that can be life-altering. Many times a person involved in a truck accident can only focus on getting medical help. Should you be fortunate to walk away from that type of accident with minor injuries, it is something to be thankful for. You must follow the right steps to handle the fallout from the accident.
There are certain things you can do to make the process easier and to make sure that is being fairly treated. There are a lot of factors that contribute to the end result of the accident. It’s important to make sure that you are being fairly compensated.
How to Handle a Truck Accident
Being involved in an accident with a truck can be scary and at times traumatic. The size comparison alone is enough to make a person weak in the knees. There are many reasons why an accident can happen. Big trucks have areas where there is little to no visibility of other vehicles. If you’ve been in a truck blind spot accident, you’ll quickly come to understand why it is important to know these areas to avoid when driving alongside big trucks. Truck drivers also work to avoid these types of collisions and are well trained to spot them.
However, there are other factors that can influence a possible accident. For this reason, it is vital that you know how to handle a truck accident the right way should you or someone you know end up in this situation.
1. Call the Police
Once you’ve made sure that you’re alright enough to function, contact the police. It’s important to have law enforcement come and survey the scene. You’ll need the police reports for future court cases as well. These will come in handy when trying to prove your point in the situation. Even if the accident seems minor it is better to have a police report for future reference. Let the dispatchers know how many people are involved in the accident so that they can be better prepared to handle the situation.
2. Seek Medical Help
Get a medical evaluation even if the injuries seem minor or there appear to be no injuries. Sometimes, the injuries can be hidden, for example, internal bleeding or damage to your organs. If later symptoms develop without an initial medical report, it can be hard to prove that the injuries are the results of the truck accident. You also want to find out if anything is wrong with you for the quality of your life. An injury that can affect your lifestyle is something that needs immediate medical attention.
3. Check Others for Injury
You should also check the other person involved in the accident for injuries. If they need medical care, make sure that the EMS workers attend to them. You also want to keep track of what is happening in this area. Often people will fake injuries for financial gain in these types of situations. Knowing whether an injury was present at the beginning or if the other parties got proper medical care is important.
4. Collect Evidence
You need to collect evidence of the incident. This can be witness statements, police reports, photos, and videos. Anything that proves the events happened as they’ve been claimed to be by yourself and the other parties involved. These materials can be used to support your court case and can sometimes be the thing that moves the decision in your favor. Make sure that the evidence you get is fair and accurate. Anything that is distorted or fabricated can be detrimental to you.
5. Get Your Car Checked Thoroughly
Once you’re able to move your car from the accident scene, take it to get thoroughly assessed for damages. Like people, cars can hold damage in ways that you can’t see. To avoid issues with your vehicle in the future it’s best to get checked and make sure to address any and all issues right away. Again, it can be hard to prove later that problems with your vehicle are because of the truck accident. To avoid the hassle, have proof of the associated problems from the get-go.
6. Be Mindful of What You Say
It can be hard to remain clear-headed after an accident, but it is important that you try your best. Don’t say things in anger that can be used against you. Where possible avoid making any type of comment, positive or negative. You don’t want to lie but it is better to be quiet and wait for legal help to avoid future misunderstandings. Under no circumstances are you to admit fault even when you are at fault. There is a lot more that goes into an accident of that magnitude. You can face serious trouble if you aren’t careful.
7. Refrain From Posting on Social Media
Something else you want to avoid doing is posting about the accident on social media or making any comments about it. Again, what you say and your actions after the accident can be used to turn the case against you. Be smart in what you are posting and commenting in regards to the accident. If possible, don’t mention it on any social platform at all.
8. Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer
Probably the most important step is hiring a truck accident lawyer. This is a lawyer who is experienced in handling these types of accidents and case proceedings. There are rules and regulations involved with truck drivers and companies. It can become complicated and without a lawyer that knows the details and ins and outs of these types of situations, the outcome is unlikely to be positive for you.
A truck accident can be more complicated because there are usually a lot more people involved. For this reason, it is good to be prepared for these kinds of events. Along with following the procedures, you also need to keep calm and think rationally. Responding to emotions can make the situation a lot more complicated and can cost you your case. Pay attention to your surroundings and be sure to act quickly. A lawyer is your best ally when dealing with a truck accident. You should also allow your support system to help you make it through the difficulties of the accident.
