The moments after a truck accident can be extremely chaotic, considering the initial shock of the collision and the severity of the injuries that often result. However, for better or worse, what you do in the aftermath of a truck crash can have a major impact on your ability to recover compensation down the road.
If you were recently involved in a truck accident in California, the following steps can help you protect both your health and your legal rights. Continue reading to learn what you should do in the aftermath of a crash. If you need help from a Glendale truck accident attorney contact us today for a free consultation.
Call 911 and Report the Accident
The first thing you should do after a truck accident is call 911. This ensures that law enforcement and emergency medical services are dispatched to the scene. When the police arrive, they will create an official accident report documenting what happened. This report can serve as a key piece of evidence if you decide to file a claim later on.
If you or anyone else at the scene is injured, let the dispatcher know so that paramedics can respond as quickly as possible.
Seek Medical Attention Right Away
It is important to get a medical evaluation as soon as you can, with or without an obvious injury. Truck accidents sometimes cause injuries that do not show symptoms right away, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), internal bleeding, and soft tissue damage. A medical professional can identify these issues early and create records that link your injuries directly to the accident.
These medical records will also play an important role in proving the extent of your damages if you file a personal injury claim.
Gather Evidence at the Scene
If you are physically able to do so, try to collect as much evidence as possible while still at the scene. This might include things like:
- Photographing the damage to all vehicles involved
- Taking pictures of the road conditions
- Getting the truck driver’s contact and insurance details
- Writing down the trucking company’s name and any identifying information on the vehicle
- Collecting contact information from any eyewitnesses
The more evidence you can preserve early on, the more compelling your claim will be. Truck accident scenes can be cleaned up quickly, and critical details can be lost if they are not documented right away.
Do Not Apologize or Accept Blame
It is natural to want to be polite after an accident, but anything you say at the scene can be used against you later. Avoid apologizing for the crash or making any statements that could be interpreted as an admission of fault. A simple “I’m sorry” could potentially be twisted by the trucking company’s insurer to argue that you were responsible.
Let the investigation determine what happened. You are not required to give a detailed account of the accident to anyone other than law enforcement at the scene.
Be Careful When Dealing With the Insurance Companies
You may be contacted by an insurance adjuster representing the trucking company after a truck accident. It is important to be cautious during these conversations, however, as insurance adjusters are trained to gather statements that can be used to minimize your claim. They may sound sympathetic, but their goal is to protect their company’s bottom line.
Before giving any recorded statements or accepting any settlement offers, it is wise to speak with a personal injury attorney first. An early settlement offer is almost always far less than what your case is actually worth.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer With Onyx Law Firm as Soon as Possible
Truck accident cases are more complex than standard car accident claims and can be worth substantial amounts of money. When the stakes are this high, hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer is almost certainly in your best interest.
Contact Onyx Law Firm today for a free consultation to get started with your case at (844) 669-9529. We’re confident we can help you recover the compensation you need and deserve.