What To Do After a Trucking Accident: 7 Essentials Steps
1. Contact the Police
Whether you were a driver, passenger, motorcyclist, bicyclist or pedestrian, you have the right to insist the police come to the scene and investigate the collision.
Often, 911 operators and police departments will attempt to avoid investigating collisions when no person involved was injured or seeks emergency medical care, but you have the right to insist that your collision be investigated.
2. Be Safe
If possible and it can be done safely, move your vehicle to a safe area. If you cannot, turn on your emergency flashers and wait for the police and emergency personnel to arrive at the scene.
3. Check On Others
Once everyone is in a safe place, check on the health and status of all of the other involved drivers and passengers.
4. Take Photos
If possible, always take pictures of all vehicles, the scene and the truck driver’s license and insurance card.
5. Allow Emergency Medical Care Personnel to Examine You
If you have any concern you suffered injury, allow emergency medical care personnel to examine and take you to the hospital for treatment. Often at the scene of the collision, adrenaline masks the existence of pain or injury, including life-threatening conditions such as head injuries, spinal fractures or internal bleeding.
6. Contact an Attorney
After a truck wreck, you should never speak to the trucking company representative or insurance claims adjuster without first consulting an attorney. These individuals are claims professionals and even if they appear to be nice or sympathetic, their only goal is to defend and minimize your claim.
7. See A Qualified Medical Provider
Even if you do not believe you were injured immediately after a truck wreck, it is common to feel increased levels of pain and physical limitations that night, the following day or even several days later. If you are hurt, however, many people learn for the first time their PCP either will not treat motor vehicle injuries or will not recommend physical therapy or other treatment to minimize the doctor’s risk of becoming involved in a court proceeding.
For this reason, it is critical to find a medical professional willing to effectively evaluate and treat all of your injuries. The Francis Firm can help you locate a qualified medical provider to evaluate and treat any injuries caused by a truck wreck. Contact us today online, or by calling (817) 329-9001.