What to Do After a Truck Accident
FREE CASE REVIEW
FREE CASE REVIEW
A truck accident is one of the most horrific incidents that can occur. Almost every day, we hear from people across Florida and Georgia who want to know answers to questions like “what should I do after a trucking accident“ or “what are commercial vehicle accident procedures?
First off: acting quickly after a truck accident is essential for protecting your right to seek compensation.
Truck accidents are different from other vehicle accidents. Trucking accidents are much more complicated because there is more than one liable party for any given accident. On top of that, trucking companies and insurance providers are multinational corporations with teams of lawyers that will stop at nothing to point the blame at you.
You need a trucking attorney who understands the ins and outs of a truck accident settlement. The attorneys at Farah & Farah know that a truck accident can take everything from you.
If you or someone close to you has been involved in a truck accident, please call our compassionate attorneys now at (866) 720-3775 to schedule your free, no-obligation case review!
A fully-loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to about 80,000 pounds. Compare that to a typical motor vehicle that weighs about 5,000 pounds. That’s over fifteen times the weight of a car! This significant weight difference means that big rig accidents can produce debilitating injuries and sometimes fatalities.
As a result, trucks have different rules than motor vehicles. Because of these more rigid standards, truckers and trucking companies bear a higher burden of responsibility when things go wrong. For example, truckers must comply with FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) regulations when involved in accidents.
If you are involved in a Georgia or Florida truck accident, here are some of the most important commercial vehicle accident procedures to follow:
You must contact 911 as soon as you can. A police officer will be able to conduct an official investigation. Once on the scene, they can assess the evidence and create a detailed report about the conditions of the accident. The officer may use visual evidence, review truck driver accident procedures, eyewitness testimony, and accounts from the drivers to create a non-biased report about who or what caused the accident.
After they have completed their investigation, ask the officer how to get a copy of the report. Not only will your insurance company want a copy of it, but it can be used as evidence in a trucking accident claim.
It is important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. Call 911 immediately. After a serious truck accident, it is essential to seek a doctor’s consultation. Getting an evaluation after a crash will help ensure you’re not hurt.
Medical documentation of your injuries is also an important asset for a case. Although you may feel fine immediately, do not assume you are not injured. Many people do not experience the full range of their injuries until days after an accident. A qualified medical professional needs to evaluate the full extent of your injuries.
If you are not in severe physical condition, take pictures of the scene. After contacting law enforcement, start documenting the scene. If you have a camera phone, use it to log everything that happened. Including:
Take photos from multiple angles and distances. These will be useful when you file your insurance claim. Trucking companies and insurance providers are notorious for burying evidence and bullying victims. Documenting everything helps you petition for your full recovery.
It is important to exchange contact information with everyone involved in the accident. These people can help you during your insurance claim or serve as witnesses during a possible personal injury lawsuit.
Ask everyone involved (including police officers and eyewitnesses) for their full name, phone number, license plate number, email address and address. Exchanging contact information is one of the most overlooked commercial vehicle accident procedures. It is always better to have more information than less in these circumstances.
After a truck accident, it is essential to get:
It’s important to contact your insurance company after an accident. It’s also important to remember that an insurance provider is never your friend. This harsh truth applies to your personal insurer and any other party’s insurance carrier.
When you report a truck crash, the insurance company will look out for its bottom line. That means they will offer you the lowest payout possible and will not want to offer you a major settlement. Do not accept or sign any offer without talking to a lawyer first. Agreeing to any compensation can cause you to forfeit the right to seek additional aid.
If an insurance company knows you have a lawyer on your side, it is illegal for them to contact you directly. Having a lawyer makes it harder for them to lowball you or negotiate against your best interests.
Never admit fault or speculate on liable parties. Trucking accidents involve many parties. While the truck driver is a potentially responsible party, the trucking company, the carrier, and the broker or shipper who hired the carrier may also share liability.
It is always smart to seek out a qualified truck accident attorney for advice on handling communications with all parties. A trucking attorney will be able to guide you through the process and provide sound advice.
When you hire a trucking attorney, you are hiring someone who understands the complex trucking industry networks. A qualified trucking lawyer will be able to schedule a vehicle inspection. They will be able to download the black box of the truck and look for possible crash causes. If they can access this data, it may be possible to recreate the collision using 3D technology.
Fighting for justice requires leaving no stone unturned. After a truck accident, it is not uncommon for a motor carrier’s insurance to issue a settlement up to or beyond $1 million. A less experienced lawyer who doesn’t understand trucking accidents may advise their client to accept less than they deserve!
Trucking accidents are some of the most dangerous incidents on the road.
Truck accidents are much more complicated than automobile accidents. Trucks have stricter regulations and more complex liability. Additionally, the people who did this to you may be trying to shut down your case.
You deserve clear answers.
We understand that it is hard to know what to do after a truck accident. Our compassionate attorneys want to help you get the justice you deserve. We are passionate about helping people secure what they are owed for their suffering. That’s why we won’t charge you any fee unless we win or your case.
There are important truck driver accident procedures to follow after an accident. For over 40 years, people have turned to Farah & Farah for help with their truck accident claims.
We want to serve you! Call our trucking attorneys now at (866) 720-3775 to get your free, no-obligation case review.
free case review