Everyone hates a fender bender. But everyone is afraid of a head-on collision.
Truck accidents kill thousands of Americans per year. Tens of thousands more receive devastating injuries.
Trucks are massive and fast. Drivers make mistakes, get distracted, and cause accidents. A truck can hit you at any moment, and you need to be ready.
Learn what to do when you get involved in a truck accident. Here is a quick guide.
Prepare for a Truck Accident
You should prepare for a truck accident before one happens. Wear a seat belt to reduce your risk of death by 45%. Practice good defensive driving, avoiding cars and trucks that don’t seem safe.
Many trucks drive on highways and major roads. Avoid them whenever possible. Avoid driving at night, when many long-haul drivers operate.
Keep your car fully maintained and repaired. This reduces the risk of an accident. It also reduces your risk of liability if you go to court after an accident.
Your First Steps
As soon as you get involved in an accident, call 911 immediately. Disclose your location and who was involved. Remain in your vehicle unless it is unsafe to do so.
Even if you don’t think you were injured, get a full medical evaluation. You may have internal bleeding or a concussion and not know it. Get medical treatment as soon as possible.
Document everything that happens. Take photos of where the accident took place. Take photos of the damage done to your car and property.
Write down the other driver’s contact details. Include their insurance information and the name of the truck company. If anyone else witnessed the accident, get their information as well.
Contacting a Truck Accident Lawyer
If you believe you have a civil case, contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. You have a case if an accident left you unable to work, or if the driver was negligent. You may have a case if medical bills are too high.
You should also contact a lawyer if you think the other driver will present a case against you. Insurance companies can afford high-quality, experienced lawyers. Do not go into a courtroom by yourself.
You will receive paperwork from your insurance company. Do not sign anything. Run all documents by your lawyer, reviewing the fine print.
Hand over all information to your truck accident attorney. They will take your information and contact important witnesses. They will build a case, examining the scene of the accident and the state of the drivers.
Lawyers will train you to give statements and answer questions. They will prepare briefings and argue in front of a judge. Help out when you can, but let the lawyers do their jobs. Click here to find the best drunk driver truck crash lawyer .
Focus on your own recovery. Reach out to a psychiatrist if you are suffering from trauma. Avoid driving until you feel comfortable on the road again.
Stay Smart
Many truck accidents are fatal. The ones that aren’t are costly and devastating. Prepare for a truck accident in advance with the right information.
Practice good and safe driving to avoid an accident. Document everything after an accident, including your own injuries. Get medical attention right away.
Contact a lawyer when you can. Give over all of the information you have gathered. They will prepare you for a court proceeding, and you can focus on your own recovery.
Stay smart about legal processes. Follow our coverage for more informative guides.
