When the police arrive, ensure you are well enough to speak with them. Do not apologize, admit any blame, or say you’re okay – even if your injuries are minor.

Also, ask any witnesses for their contact information. Their statements will be valuable for your truck accident claim later on.

Report the Accident

The first step is to call the police. This helps ensure that there is official documentation of the accident and also keeps everyone safe. Ensure you get the officer’s name, badge number, and report copy.

Next, you should move your vehicle to safety (if possible) if you can’t, make sure that you place reflective triangles or flares on the ground.

Try to get the names of any witnesses who saw the accident. They could be accommodating in your personal injury claim. You would consult a personal injury attorney if you got injured in a truck accident collision. Remember that you should also seek medical attention. The adrenaline rush might prevent you from feeling pain immediately, but some injuries, such as whiplash, can take days to show symptoms. This is why getting checked out by a doctor immediately after the truck accident collision is essential.

Get Medical Attention

First and foremost, your health needs to see a doctor after any truck crash. The adrenaline from the wreck may mask symptoms and lead you to ignore them, potentially worsening an injury or developing complications. Seeing a medical professional also creates a clear record of your injuries if you decide to make a claim with an injury lawyer from somewhere like https://dubolawfirm.com/.

Additionally, getting medical attention is crucial even if you don’t think you are hurt. Sometimes, symptoms like internal bleeding may take days or weeks to develop. Not seeking immediate treatment can make it easier for insurance companies to discredit your later claims of injury or use your non-treatment as an excuse to reduce or reject your claim altogether. Medical records are essential evidence for any truck accident case.

Take Photos

The proper photographs can make all the difference in proving your case. Pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to your vehicle will help you build a solid claim for compensation against the at-fault party.

Make sure to take photos from different angles and distances. You will want to have images of the overall scene from a few feet away but also close-ups of vehicles or other relevant details like skid marks.

If you are not injured and can do so safely, try to capture photos of any witnesses. Getting witness statements may prove invaluable to your claim as they will corroborate your story and add weight to your claims.

Exchange Information

It can be tempting to apologize for the crash, but it could damage your personal injury case. It would help if you did not discuss the accident with the other party or their insurance company before talking to a truck accident attorney. Avoid commenting on the accident on social media, either. It can also damage your case if you mention the collision in news articles after the crash.

In addition to getting information from the truck driver, you should gather contact information from witnesses who may have seen what happened. Witness testimony can be beneficial to your claim for compensation. If they refuse, you should exchange identification and insurance details with the other party. This is required by state law and will help to ensure you can file a claim for damages.

Get Legal Representation

The only way to accurately calculate your financial damages is for your lawyer to establish all of the expenses and losses you’ve suffered. Your legal team can help determine if faulty tires, driver error, an unsafe cargo load, lousy road or weather conditions, or another factor caused the crash.

While skipping out on exchanging information may be tempting, this step is crucial. Get your insurance and contact info and the names and numbers of witnesses who can provide statements.

Seeking medical attention immediately is another crucial step – even if you don’t think you are seriously injured at the accident scene. Injuries resulting from truck accidents are often more severe than they appear, and symptoms of internal injuries such as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord trauma can worsen over time.