If you or someone you love has been in an accident with a semi, big rig, tractor trailer or big truck, you know how serious the resulting damage to your vehicle, your body and your mental state can be. If you are one of the fortunate that can walk away from the collision with the super imposing trucks, adrenaline may be pumping through your veins, but there are some steps you still need to take immediately after the accident to protect yourself from future problems. Here are four ways to safeguard yourself.
Check for Injuries
Some injuries after a collision with a big truck may take a few days to manifest, but there are many that may be an immediate concern because of the weight of the huge truck crashing into your smaller vehicle. Assess the condition of yourself and your passengers, and if you need medical attention, let the police know immediately.
Call the Police
Contact your local police office and request an officer be sent to the scene of the collision. Answer the dispatcher’s questions if you have the information available and let him or her know how many vehicles were involved in the accident. If anyone is hurt, report how many injuries there are and request emergency personnel or an ambulance to be dispatched immediately.
Exchange Vital Information
It can be important to your insurance claim that you gather as much information about the accident, the other vehicles involved and the big truck driver’s identifying info. If possible, use your phone and snap photos of the pertinent documents and damage to the vehicles. Here are some examples:
- Driver’s licenses
- Insurance information
- Truck driver’s employer and company data
- Position of vehicles at the accident scene
- Identifying information of all cars and trucks that collided
Contact an Attorney
Makes sure you or a proxy contact a Canoga Park trucking accident attorney as soon as possible after the collision. The attorney can help you handle the insurance paperwork, contact witnesses for statements and let you know where to get your long-term medical aftercare, if necessary. Once you submit all your accident information to the lawyer, he or she can help you identify and reduce your liability by reconstructing the accident. The attorney can also protect you from pressure by insurance adjusters that want a quick settlement at a low amount.
Protect yourself and your loved ones after an accident with a big truck by following these four simple steps. You will also be safeguarding your future and your road to recovery.
Thanks to Barry P. Goldberg for their insight into personal injury claims and what to do after a big truck accident.