Semi-truck accidents are often traumatic. Bits and pieces of your car could be thrown across the road. Traffic might be shut down for hours. And dazed and confused drivers are unsure of what happened and what steps to take next.
At Groth & Associates, we understand the confusion. Below, our truck accident lawyer lays out the important steps to take.
Call an Ambulance, if Necessary
Because truck accidents are so traumatic, you or a passenger could be seriously hurt. It’s not unusual for truck accidents to cause fractures, neck injuries, back injuries, and bleeding. Call emergency services to have an ambulance come and pick you up. If you can’t get to a phone, then ask a bystander to call.
For a free legal consultation, call (419) 930-3030
Report the Accident to the Police
Your next call should be to the police. You need to report accidents to the authorities so that an officer can create an accident report. This report will help establish the date, time, and location of the crash.
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Swap Information with the Trucker
You will want certain information from the truck driver, such as:
- Name
- Address
- Driver’s license
- Insurance information
- Employer information
You should share the same (except for employer information) with the truck driver. This information helps you begin an insurance claim.
Speak with Witnesses
Witnesses might have helpful information to share about how the accident happened. Ideally, you should get their name and contact information. Also, ask them what they saw. Remember not to argue with a witness, because that might be construed as witness tampering.
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Avoid Accepting Fault for the Collision
The last thing you should do is accept responsibility for the accident. The trucking company might have investigators come to the accident scene, and some of them might talk to you. You should probably avoid talking to them until you hire a lawyer. Remember, it’s okay to say, “I don’t want to talk now” and leave it at that.
Document the Accident Scene
Remember to get pictures of the following:
- Before cars are moved to the curb, get several shots of where they ended up.
- The debris field, including shattered glass and any pieces of your car.
- Every side of your vehicle shows where it was struck.
- Every side of the truck that hit you.
Go to the Hospital
Once there, you can tell the doctor you were involved in a truck accident and tell them where you feel pain. A doctor should order relevant diagnostic tests to really pin down your injuries. Realize, however, that some injuries won’t manifest for a day or two, so you will probably need to head back to the hospital whenever you feel your condition deteriorate.
Call an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer
Trucking companies hire multiple law firms to represent them, and they have dozens of attorneys working all hours on a case. You are unlikely to negotiate a favorable settlement on your own without experienced legal help. That’s where Groth Law comes in. Call us today to schedule a free consultation. We can review what you need to do to bring a compensation claim.
Call or text (419) 930-3030 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form