According to several sources, the number of accidents involving semi-trucks in America has surged by nearly 50 percent over the last decade. It’s expected to continue on an upward trend in the years to come as roads become increasingly congested with more commercial and passenger vehicles alike. Truck accidents can be particularly serious considering the size and weight of 18-wheelers in comparison to passenger vehicles. They often cause more severe injuries and more extensive property damage than accidents involving passenger vehicles alone.
Personal injury attorneys have extensive knowledge and experience in helping victims of truck accidents overcome their injuries and losses. Understanding the unique needs of accident victims is the key to success here. Consider some of the needs that may arise in the aftermath of a truck accident and how they might affect you as a victim.
Getting Immediate Medical Attention
If you’re involved in a truck accident, getting medical attention is your most dire need. That’s the case even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured. Some injuries aren’t evident until hours or even days after an accident. Waiting until symptoms are obvious can easily lead to serious complications or even cost you your life. Allow paramedics to examine you on the scene. From there, consider going to a hospital or visiting your doctor for a more thorough exam. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Receiving immediate medical attention after an accident will help get you on the road to recovery. It’ll also determine whether your injuries are more serious than you realize and ensure they’re properly addressed. At the same time, that medical attention will help build a paper trail that you can use in your favor once you file a claim.
Gathering Information and Evidence
You need to gather information and evidence at the accident scene as well. Get the driver’s contact information as well as that of the company they work for. Be sure to get the name of their insurance company too. From there, gather contact information for any witnesses who stayed on the scene. Take pictures or videos of the scene of the accident, damage to the vehicles involved, factors that might have caused the accident, and any visible injuries you have.
Remember to keep records of any medical treatments you receive, missed time from work, and other financial matters stemming from the accident. You’ll need those when the time comes to seek compensation. Without them, you may not be able to prove your case.
Hiring an Attorney
Truck accident victims also need to hire an attorney or at least consult with one. When you file a claim, you could find yourself up against your insurance provider, the trucking company, their coverage provider, and their legal team along with other adversaries. All of them are likely to be on a mission to pay you as little as possible for your injuries and losses. They may even try to make light of your injuries. They often try to intimidate victims into accepting settlements that fall sorely short of their needs or deny their claims altogether.
An attorney will battle the insurance companies and anyone else who may try to downplay your injuries and losses. They’ll build your case against those who are responsible for your injuries and ensure they’re held accountable. They’ll work to help you get the compensation you need as well.
Covering All of Your Needs After a Truck Accident
After a truck accident, you’re likely to have numerous needs. Those include treatments for your injuries, money to cover the resulting medical bills, a vehicle to replace the one that was destroyed in the accident, and compensation for missed time from work to name a few. You need to get medical attention immediately after the accident and follow up with any additional treatments after the fact. You also need to gather information and evidence at the scene of the accident if possible to help strengthen your claim. Furthermore, you need to hire an attorney to help you overcome the repercussions of the accident and get the compensation you deserve.
