Semi-trucks are extremely heavy and large vehicles. Due to this fact, in the event of a semi-truck accident, there can be tragic and disastrous results. However, like any other accident, there are several steps that are important to take after a semi-truck accident to protect yourself and the legal rights you are entitled to. To learn what to do in the event of a semi-truck accident, continue reading.
What To Do In The Event Of A Semi-Truck Accident
First and foremost, many semi-truck accidents often result in a great deal of damage to vehicles and major injuries or death to people involved. So, the most important thing to do in the event of a semi-truck accident is to check if anyone is injured. If someone is injured, keep calm, stay nearby, and let them know that help will be there soon.
Call The Police And An Ambulance
Call 911 and get medical treatment as soon as possible. You need to call the police if you are in an accident, but especially if someone is hurt, it is important to get in contact with medics immediately. Let the dispatcher know how many cars were involved with the incident and how many people seem to be injured. Getting a police report is also of legal importance because it makes an account of the accident.
Whether or not you were injured in the semi accident, it is important to get medical attention. You could have sustained an injury that was not immediately apparent as well. Going to the doctor also gives you the ability to request a medical report for further evidence.
Do Not Admit Fault
When you are speaking to anyone about the accident, it is important to not admit fault. If you admit fault, your insurance will have to cover your vehicle and injuries as well as the damages to the other party. Do not lie to anyone, but keep the more sensitive details to yourself until you can speak to your lawyer.
Another important piece of information is that you should not share your experience or opinions about the accident with the public at large. This means you should not post about it on social media or on the internet. Anything that you say can be used against you in court. It is alright to speak with family and friends about the accident, but be careful to not overshare or give a statement to the insurance adjuster until after you have gotten in contact with your lawyer.
Collect Information
A semi-truck accident is a big deal and often causes a substantial mess. It is likely that there will be many eye-witnesses of the incident. The police will collect statements from them, but it may also be useful for your case to ask them for their contact information as well. Make sure to also collect the information of the other driver. This includes their name, phone number, email address, company they work for (especially if they were the truck driver), address, insurance information and any other useful details. It could also be helpful to document the scene. Take photographs and make notes about things you notice and share them with your attorney when you have the chance.
Get In Contact With A Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer
The last thing you need to do in the event of a semi-truck accident is to get in touch with a semi-truck attorney. You may be entitled to compensation if you were injured in a semi-truck accident. Here at Kaufman, Nichols, & Kaufman Attorneys At Law, we will work tirelessly to recover as much money as possible to help you cover medical costs, lost wages and other expenses caused by an accident. For a free consultation or to learn more contact us today.