Being involved in a road accident is very traumatizing, and even much more when it is a truck accident. While car accidents can cause immense physical and mental harm, that can be doubled with a crash involving trucks.
If you ever find yourself in one, heaven forbid, you might feel at a loss for what to do next. These four steps should help you in handling the situation and getting you back on your feet.
How to Handle Truck Accidents
1. Get Medical Help Right Away
You should either go to the hospital or call medics right away if you are involved in a truck accident.
People may seem fine on the outside, but there is always the possibility that someone is suffering from internal damage. The effects of shock and trauma can also be observed.
Medical attention can help assess the situation of everyone involved. They can also issue you with a medical certificate.
Make sure that you compile your medical records, list of expenses, and other hospital documentation. Footage from your dashcam, if you have one, will also be helpful.
These are often required in filing a claim from your insurance company. These can also be used as evidence against the other parties involved.
2. Get Legal Help
Traffic situations like these might be tricky, which is why hiring legal help such as lawyers is highly suggested. It can also spare you the hassle of handling the claim or negotiating all by yourself.
If you are injured in a traffic collision, lawyers can figure out your best course of action. They can also protect your rights and handle all the legal matters regarding the accident.
3. Filing for a Police Report
Filling a police report right away can protect you legally.
The police report can be used when claiming insurance or filing a lawsuit. If another driver diverts the blame on you, the report can be a strong basis for your defense.
4. Report the Crash to Your Insurance Company
Escaping is one of the worst things you could do after a traffic accident. What you should do instead are to protect the scene and to take as many pictures as possible.
Do not try to negotiate or sign anything without consulting legal help, especially when it comes to your insurance company. Having your medical records and the police report should spare you from having to explain yourself.
If they insist that you should talk, you can defer them to your legal representation.
Conclusion
Getting medical attention is always the first step, for you and for everyone involved. Your second priority is to handle the legal work through legal help, so you can avoid unnecessary frustration and hassle.
However, prevention is still better than cure. Make sure to always excercise the necessary precautions when driving, regardless if you’re driving a truck or just alongside one. Avoid distracted driving and keep your focus on the road.