A truck accident can be very devastating as it can cause a catastrophic injury. If involved in a truck accident, and you are conscious, there are immediate steps you should take to ensure your safety afterward.
First, assess yourself, check if you have suffered any injuries, and check the other passengers if there are any. You don’t want to put anyone’s life at risk, so you should immediately call an ambulance. As you wait, here are the other steps to take.
Call the police
You should call the police immediately after a truck accident occurs, whether there are fatalities, injured people, or not. Call your local law enforcement emergency responders and inform them of the accident. If you have not called the ambulance yet, let the officer know if there are any injuries so that they know how many ambulances to send over. Even if the accident seems minor, a police report is necessary.
Get medical attention
Everyone involved in an accident requires medical attention even if they think they are not injured. So it is vital to get a medical evaluation to assess if you have suffered any injuries. Remember that you may have suffered internal injuries that may take some hours or days to show, such as internal bleeding, head concussion, etc. Even after being examined at the scene, request a full medical evaluation in the hospital.
Collect evidence
It is crucial to collect evidence at the truck accident scene—document everything you can, including the truck’s registration number, license details, driver’s details, etc. If possible, take pictures and write down short notes about how the accident happened. You should also take the contacts of witnesses as you may need them to testify if the case proceeds to court.
Give the police report.
When the police get to the scene, please give them a detailed report of how the accident happened and avoid implicating yourself. If you are unsure of anything, it is best to say so because anything you say can be used against you. Be there as the others give their statement to ensure they give the correct version. It is best to keep your cool and evaluate your words before uttering them.
Do not admit fault or liability.
Even if you know you are at fault, keep it to yourself and save it for your lawyer. The reason being, you might be responsible, but there may be other factors that could reduce your liability. It is your lawyer’s job to highlight such aspects.
Inform your insurance company
Inform your insurance company that you have been involved in a car accident, and you can send them the photos from the scene.
Consult with a truck accident attorney
Truck accident lawyers are experienced in dealing with truck accidents, so they know how to navigate the legal process. A truck accident can be complicated, so having a lawyer on your side can help you get the compensation you deserve.s
Conclusion
You cannot control a truck accident but taking the right measures afterward ensures everything goes well.
