Truck accidents can be catastrophic and cause very severe injuries. In such instances, the only thing the casualty needs to do is get immediate medical assistance. However, if you are lucky enough to sustain only minor injuries after being involved in a collision, then you should do the following things to protect and preserve your legal rights.
Call the police
First and foremost, you should call the police and let them know where the collision happened and how many people were involved in the crash so they can send enough ambulances. Moreover, when the law enforcement officials arrive at the scene, they can file a police report detailing exactly how the collision occurred. That police report can help to prove your claim if you want to seek settlement later.
Seek medical attention
You should get checked by a medical professional immediately after the collision, even if you believe your injuries are minor. This will not only prevent you from getting future health complications but will also help you document your symptoms, pain and injuries on medical records, which can act as evidence to strengthen your claim.
Collect evidence
While you’re still at the scene of the collision, you should take pictures of the damage done to your vehicle and the other vehicles that were involved in the collision. You should also take pictures of your bodily injuries right after the crash because afflictions such as cuts and bruises can change in severity, color, and shape over time.
All the photographic evidence you take will be used to prove the severity of your injuries, who was liable for the crash, the extent of damage to the vehicles, and any other relevant information.
It is also important to take notes about the incident before leaving the crash site because recounting details later may be difficult. You should also collect contact details of the other drivers involved in the collision and the witnesses, who can be called to testify in your case.
Speak wisely
An insurance adjuster will reach out to you immediately after the collision to ask a few questions regarding the crash. You should be careful about what you say to the insurance adjuster because it may be used against you to either invalidate your claim or reduce your settlement offer. In fact, it is advisable to first speak with your attorney, who can advise you on what you should and should not say.
Don’t accept quick settlements
Sometimes when trucking companies are involved in a collision, their insurance companies may try to offer you a quick settlement offer to prevent a long court battle that can stain their reputation. Thus, you should not accept quick settlements or sign anything without consulting an experienced and skilled truck accident lawyer, because some insurance companies may offer you a small settlement that can’t fully cover your losses.
Conclusion
Lastly, you should hire an attorney who can guide you on all the legal processes you should take to get compensation for all the accident-related losses and injuries you sustained from the crash.
