Road accidents of any sort can be extremely traumatizing and stressful for those who experience them. Out of all of them, by far, the most serious one is the one that occurs while you’re driving a truck.
Why is that? Well, that’s because trucks are extremely powerful and large, and these types of incidents can cause major damage, not only to the vehicle but to the driver as well, resulting in injuries, that can sometimes be life-threatening.
Therefore, it’s of huge importance to know what you’re supposed to do in these types of situations so you can get better. If you like to know what steps are going to help you speed up your recovery and get the compensation you deserve, then just pay attention to these tips below.
Ensure Everyone’s Safety
The first thing that you must do right after the accident is to make sure that you, along with all the passengers are doing okay. Prioritizing safety in these instances is pivotal. If you’re able to, you should move your vehicle out of the roadway.
By doing so, you are going to decrease the risk of other drivers being hurt. Also, if you do this, the emergency responders will be able to see you much quicker due to the clearer road. On the other hand, if you’re not able to move your truck (since, after all, it’s extremely heavy), then you should at least put the hazard lights as a warning signal to other drivers.
Most trucks typically have extra caution devices, such as flags, cones, and flares, so be sure to make use of them too. Everyone (including you as well) should check themselves to see if they’ve been severely injured.
If you conclude that you or anyone else who traveled with you is injured, then it’s critical to seek medical help as soon as possible. This doesn’t refer solely to the serious injuries, but also to the minor ones, because even they deserve medical assistance and attention.
You Should Seek Legal Help
You may not think that it’s necessary to do this, but it’s, in fact, pivotal. You need to know that these types of cases can be very complex and usually require legal expertise and knowledge if you want to get the best outcome.
Truck accident lawyers will not only present the evidence that’s going to prove your innocence, and the liability of the other driver but will also help you get fair compensation. If by any chance you currently live in Las Vegas (or anywhere near it), then you should consider contacting the Las Vegas Truck Accident Lawyer to get the proper legal help. This city generally has a lot of skilled advocates of this kind, hence you’ll be able to easily find one.
Talk To The Witnesses
If you’re interested in filing a personal injury claim, then you need to know that every single detail concerning the truck accident matters, especially when proving that the other person was the culprit.
Therefore, if you notice any witnesses at the scene, you need to talk to them right away and ask them to tell you everything they saw. Make sure to get their information (such as name, and telephone number) so that your solicitor can get in touch with them in order to collect all the relevant evidence that’s going to benefit your case.
Don’t Forget To Call The Police
Why is it important to call the police immediately after the accident? Well, that’s because many states require you to do so, particularly if someone has been severely injured (or God forbid, died), or if there has been massive damage to the vehicle or property.
Unfortunately, all of these things are quite common when it comes to truck accidents, hence it would be recommended to contact the police as soon as you can. Reporting enables you to talk to someone who’s going to provide you with all the right information.
Moreover, if you’re planning on filing a lawsuit with the insurance company, then it’s mandatory to file a report with the police station. That’s something that the other party will have to do too.
Have An Injury Diary/Journal
Everyone who has even gone through a truck accident (or any other type of road accident, for that matter) knows how painful it is. But this doesn’t refer only to the physical pain, but mental one as well.
Everything that you are currently experiencing can seriously negatively influence the quality of your life. Since there’s no tool in the world that can properly gauge the intensity of the pain and suffering that you’re dealing with, it would be smart to have a journal where you’re going to jot down everything that’s related to your post-crash life.
So what are you supposed to write down in it? Literally, everything that you are experiencing, starting from the physical pain, emotional stress, all the symptoms, and other things that do not allow you to return to normal life. Something like this will surely help your case.
Be Sure To Document The Scene
If you feel relatively fine and you get a feeling like you are able to function normally, then another thing that you’re supposed to do right after the collision is to document the scene as much as possible.
Although the police will certainly put together their own police report, it still doesn’t hurt to have your own. That’s going to be of huge assistance once you decide to contact the insurance company in order to file a claim. Your records are supposed to include the following:
- Pictures and videos – Use your cellphone to take pictures and videos of the vehicles, including all the damage that was caused by the accident.
- Truck company data – Don’t forget to call the trucking company that was involved in the collision.
- Be sure to write down everything you remember regarding the factors that led to the accident.
No one ever wishes or plans to be in a truck accident, but sadly, at times, these things cannot be avoided. However, what you can do is to follow all these tips, because they’ll ensure you soon feel much better.
