Being involved in a collision with a truck can be life-threatening. The engines of commercial trucks alone can weigh up to 3,000 pounds. It isn’t easy to think clearly after experiencing a head-on collision. Following these 7 steps, you can learn the fundamentals of what to do if this awful circumstance occurs.
1. Collect accident evidence
Obtain as much information as you can from the accident scene. Record the date, time, and place. Take pictures of the damage to each of the involved vehicles. Take pictures of the license plates, the manufacturers and models of the vehicles, and any symbols that reveal the trucker’s employer. Another crucial piece of evidence is demonstrating the route’s state. Take images of the road conditions at the time of the accident, such as potholes, skidmarks, and weather indications. Not all wounds will be obvious. Take pictures of any physical injuries, both at the site and in the following days. Your personal injury lawyer will use this evidence to prove the other party’s negligence.
2. Speak to witness
A lot of mishaps take place when there aren’t any security cameras present to record the event. Witnesses can offer testimony that is crucial in establishing liability in truck accidents. In contrast to the drivers, witnesses have nothing to gain or lose from the case. They are more likely to be viewed as neutral in their observations. Witnesses have a unique viewpoint on what happened. They probably noticed relevant factors to the collision that the occupants themselves couldn’t have seen. Start by asking questions and a crystal-clear recording of their voice or written notes of the account.
3. Get witnesses’ contact information
Your truck accident lawyer will research and inquire to gather further proof, such as paperwork from the trucking firm. As the truck accident investigation progresses, you or your attorney might have crucial follow-up queries. Gather the names and contact information of every witness you have spoken with. This includes the names and phone numbers of any other drivers and passengers in any other cars that may have been involved.
4. Get medical care for any injuries
It is critical to get medical help as soon as you can. The victims must inform Law enforcement to summon emergency medical personnel to the location. When you dial 911, mention your injuries and the injuries of the other people involved.
Visit a doctor as soon as you leave the scene, even if you are not initially in pain. Diagnostic testing can identify dangerous, invisible problems like internal hemorrhage. In a personal injury case, getting medical attention demonstrates that you tried to limit additional harm. Furthermore, it proves that your injuries resulted from the truck accident rather than a different incident.
4. File a claim with your insurance company
In New York, you have 30 days from the date of your truck accident injury to file a no-fault insurance application form with your insurance company.
New York establishes a strict deadline for insurers to resolve claims:
- After you submit a claim, the insurer has 15 days to ask for any extra information it might require in order to properly examine your claim.
- The insurer will have 15 days from the time it gets your response with the new information to decide whether or not to approve the claim.
6. Neither sign anything nor give a statement to an insurance company.
The insurance company won’t generally want you to win the claim. That indicates that they will take action to undermine your claim. Insurance companies will push you towards saying things that can weaken your case. Anything you say to them can be used to contradict or completely disprove your argument.
7. Schedule a Free Legal Consultation with a Personal Injury Lawyer
Any loss you endure in a truck accident can be substantial, but it’s crucial to understand that individuals sustain several distinct types of injuries in these circumstances. It makes sense to have a reputable personal injury attorney looking out for your interests because the law may be complicated.
Final Words
After a major truck accident, your primary concern should be your health. Remember to contact an experienced lawyer. Additionally, do not pay them anything. The skilled lawyers do not charge any upfront fees out of your pocket. They only get paid from the recovered compensation after settling your case.
