It can be a scary and confusing experience when you get involved in a truck accident. But there are some steps you should take to make sure your rights and the law are protected, as well as to help with the cost of any injuries or damages. Read on for 6 things that you can do after being involved in a truck accident!
1. Stay Safe
It may be tempting to try to move your car when you get involved in a truck accident, but it’s important for safety reasons that you stay put. Whether you are in your car or on the side of the road, it is important that you stay safe at all times. You probably heard about truck blind spot myths in Ann Arbor, MI, but are they really just myths or is there truth to the stories about truck accidents and the chaos that ensues after one? There could be other cars around that are distracted by the chaotic situation in front of them, so it’s important to stay alert to avoid any additional mishappenings. Also, there could be someone else involved in the accident who needs medical attention. So it’s important to call for help, but don’t put yourself in danger!. Instead, wait in your car until help arrives if possible. If you are injured, ask someone else to call for help. If possible, take pictures of the truck and the scene to use as evidence later on.
2. Call Police And Exchange Information
It’s important to get in touch with the police when you get involved in a truck accident, whether it is after an injury has occurred or not. You’ll also need to contact your insurance company and report the accident within 24 hours if possible. Even if no one is hurt, you should file a police report to make sure the other driver doesn’t leave the scene of the accident.
Contacting the truck driver can be crucial in an accident with a truck because he or she will have important information on the weight of the load, size, and height of the truck and whether or not there was a logbook (if required). Make sure that you ask for his or her information such as name, address, phone number, and driver’s license.
3. Document The Truck Accident Details
Documenting the truck accident details can be important for a variety of different reasons. If you get an injury from a truck accident, for example, it will be helpful to have accurate records of the size and weight of the truck in order to estimate how much damage it caused. Similarly, if you were involved in a collision with a tractor-trailer and there was no police officer present to record the incident, taking pictures of the accident scene will be invaluable.
It is also worth noting that there are some larger trucks that require logbooks to show that they are carrying appropriate loads under specific weight limits. Failing to keep these records could lead to expensive fines or more serious penalties later on down the line. Along with your location and direction of travel when involved in a truck accident, it’s useful to record any details such as how fast you were going and whether or not there was heavy traffic at the time. If there were other witnesses, you should try to get their contact information so they can be contacted later if necessary.
4. Seek Medical Attention Right Away
When involved in a truck accident, it’s important to seek medical attention right away if injuries have occurred or even for precautionary measures. Even minor injuries can be more painful the next day after an accident. Don’t make any decisions on your own about whether or not you need medical assistance because you could end up regretting it later on.
No matter how minor your injuries may seem after a car accident with a big rig, it’s important that you get checked out by a doctor after the accident occurs. Even if you don’t think your injuries are severe enough to require a trip to the hospital, you may need medical treatment for other reasons in the future. Keep all receipts, paperwork, and medical bills related to your injuries in case you later need them.
5. Keep All Receipts For Medical Attention
It’s imperative to keep records of all receipts for medical expenses related to your truck accident, as well as lost wages. Also, keep a record of your pain and suffering in case you have to file any future claims for damages or injuries that occurred during the accident. The more evidence that you have, the better! If possible, ask a family member or friend to stay with you when medical attention is being sought.
6. Talk To An Attorney
If an injury has occurred from being involved in a truck accident there are many things to consider when it comes to hiring an attorney, including pursuing litigation against the other party. An attorney can help you sort through your options and fight for the best outcome for your case.
Truck accidents are more likely to be fatal than car accidents. Because of this, it is important for those involved in a truck accident to know what steps they should take after the incident has occurred. Fortunately, these six things will help you out if you have been involved in a truck accident and want to make sure that everything goes as smoothly as possible from here on out.