by Although any accident on the road can create damages and injuries, large truck accidents are far more likely to cause serious injuries or deaths. This makes these types of accidents far more complicated and requires that truck drivers take certain steps to protect themselves in these situations.
What to Do Immediately After an Accident
The immediate steps to take after a trucking accident are very important. These steps will help provide help for those in need as well as provide pertinent information for processing an insurance claim. The steps taken after an accident can be important for the truck accident lawyer if the case needs to go to trial.
The first thing to do is to stop the vehicle and check the status of everyone involved in the accident. If possible, move the vehicle from the roadway and turn on the hazard lights to prevent further accidents. If there is an injury, contact 911 immediately. Otherwise, contact the local police department to begin processing an incident report.
If possible, take photographs of the scene and any damage. Collect and exchange information with the other parties involved in the accident. The next step is to get medical attention for any injuries, even if they seem minor. And finally, it is a good idea to contact an attorney.
How an Attorney Can Help
Each year, there are approximately 475,000 accidents involving large trucks. In about 80% of those accidents, automobile drivers were the cause of the accident. However, truck drivers are often stereotyped as being aggressive drivers with poor judgment.
An attorney can help prevent biases against truck drivers by determining the case against the facts and evidence at hand. An attorney can also help gather evidence, talk to witnesses, and even find experts to ensure the facts are known.
An attorney will even assist in determining who is liable for the accident. Depending on the facts of the case, various parties may be liable or at least partially liable for the damages of the accident. These potential parties can include the other driver, the other driver’s insurance, the trucking company, the owner of the truck, or even the manufacturer of the truck if the problem was due to faulty equipment.
What to Ask the Attorney
The first question to ask an attorney is if they have worked with truck accident cases before. A truck accident case can be complicated and may even require facing a large corporation to get the proper compensation. It is important to find an attorney that has experience dealing with these types of complicated cases.
The next question that should be asked should be about the costs of their services. Some attorneys offer their services on contingency. This means that they will not charge the client anything unless they win the case or receive a favorable settlement.
Clients should also ask their attorney about how involved they will be in the decision-making of the case. Who the client will be working with most often can also be a beneficial question for the attorney. It is also a good idea to know how fast they will return calls when the client has a question or concern.
When involved in a truck accident, it is always important to be prepared and gather all the information necessary to ensure a fair process. An attorney can help with this and provide the support needed to protect their client’s rights in seeking fair compensation.
