Wondering what to do after a truck accident? Call 911, stay safe, gather evidence, help others, exchange information, get medical attention, call your insurance company, and contact a Salt Lake City truck accident lawyer. The team at Siegfried & Jensen is ready to advise you.
Call 911 After a Truck Accident For Urgent Assistance and an Official Crash Report
Truck accidents are seldom minor matters, especially when large trucks are involved. Stop in a safe place as close to the scene as possible if you can. Since there is a strong likelihood of serious property damage or injuries, summoning emergency services can be a life-saving step.
911 operators will dispatch the relevant law enforcement agencies who know what to do after a truck accident and will send ambulances to help injured people. Officers attending the scene will compile an official accident report that identifies who was involved and can help determine fault and legal liability.
They typically record facts such as vehicle damage, debris fields, and road conditions, obtain statements from witnesses, and verify driver credentials.
Police reports can provide important evidence your lawyer from Siegfried & Jensen can use when fault and liability are later evaluated. As a result, a police report may benefit your claim.
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Stay Safe and Gather Evidence if You Are Able to Do So
Gathering your own accident scene evidence can be a helpful thing to do after a truck accident, but you should not do so if it places anyone in danger. If you’re injured, avoid aggravating your injuries. Remain where you are until help arrives. Avoid moving other people who have been injured unless they are in immediate danger. Doing so might aggravate their injuries.
If you are able to do so without endangering yourself, taking pictures or recording videos of the scene can provide evidence that might otherwise have been missed.
Typically, you would exchange details with other drivers who were involved in the accident and look for witnesses. If you’re not able to do so, first responders will gather the necessary information.
Avoid altercations with other drivers and cooperate with the authorities. You need not speculate on fault. Siegfried & Jensen can help clarify your position. Simply report what you observed. Do not overstate or understate your injuries. Stick to the facts. Medical personnel will evaluate your condition.
Get Medical Attention as Soon as Possible After a Truck Accident
Even if you think you weren’t injured, seeing a doctor is an essential thing to do after a truck accident. Your attorney from Siegfried & Jensen has encountered many cases in which people only realized they were badly injured some time after a crash.
Seeing a doctor could mean you get treatment for hidden injuries earlier, and your medical record will help link any internal injury you suffered to the truck accident. If you seek compensation, your attorney must show that another party had a duty of care, failed in it, that the failure caused the accident, and the accident caused your injuries.
Although it is often possible to show that your injuries are consistent with the truck crash you were involved in, it is easier to demonstrate this point if you see a doctor right away. It can also help address arguments that you neglected your injuries and are therefore partly responsible for their severity.
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Reporting a Truck Accident to Your Insurance Company as Soon as Possible
Even if you believe you weren’t at fault, report your accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. When addressing common auto claims questions, provide all the factual details, but do not speculate about fault. An investigation can help settle that question later, and any hint that you may have shared blame can complicate your case.
To claim from your insurance, you must report within the timelines set out in your insurance policy’s terms. In general, your insurance policy covers some of your costs based on your insurance coverage.
The reason why you should do this after a truck accident is that you can get some financial relief without having to navigate any disputes about liability first. With property damage and medical bills to address, an insurance payout goes some way toward alleviating immediate financial pressure.
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Consulting a Truck Accident Attorney is an Important Thing to Do After a Truck Accident
Siegfried & Jensen encourages accident victims to consult an attorney as soon as possible after a car accident. Doing so allows for immediate investigation, which could provide key evidence when seeking to establish liability, and allows your attorney to begin building any case for compensation right away.
You May Be Eligible For More Compensation Than Your Insurance Coverage Provides
Consulting your lawyer is important because your auto insurance generally only covers losses within your policy limits and according to the coverages you’ve purchased. Your damages could be far greater. If another party was negligent, they may be liable for all or part of the balance of your losses. This includes:
- Medical costs and the cost of future treatment
- Lost wages and earnings
- Reduced earning capacity
- Trauma and emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life due to your injuries
Truck accidents are generally very serious crashes, and survivors are often left with disabling injuries or long recovery times. If they are able to claim compensation from liable parties, a settlement can help reduce financial stress during recovery or when adapting to a new life with a disabling injury.
Your Truck Accident Lawyer Helps to Identify Liable Parties
Before you can hope to claim compensation, you must show that another party or parties are liable. Truck accidents are often very complex due to the number of parties who may be liable or share liability. These include:
- The truck driver
- The truck driver’s employer
- The company responsible for loading the truck
- A company responsible for the truck’s maintenance
- Companies that may have supplied faulty components
All of this takes place within a strict regulatory framework that’s intended to help keep road users safe. For example, there are regulations governing hours of service and truck loading. Your truck accident attorney will be familiar with these regulations and will work to preserve any evidence indicating liability.
Let Our Firm Do the Heavy Lifting While You Recover
Apart from immediate actions on your part, there are many things to do after a truck accident that your lawyer can handle on your behalf. They will gather and examine evidence, prepare insurance claims and deal with insurance companies for you, handle objections, and represent you in court if litigation becomes necessary.
If you have a case for compensation, your attorney from Siegfried & Jensen will fight for your rights. You’ll benefit from their knowledge and experience and be able to focus on your recovery.
For many people, the first question is whether they have a case at all. Consult us to learn about your legal options today.
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