Road accidents can happen no matter how cautious you are, so the same goes for truck collisions. Those who have studied for their drivers’ license test are probably already familiar with many things that can go wrong during road trips.
It is highly likely that most drivers have probably applied many lessons that they’ve learned during education classes, thinking that they will help them avoid vehicle accidents. Even though these lessons can be of huge help, as it was previously stated, at times, you simply cannot predict every single thing that may occur on the road.
Now, in case you’ve been in a truck accident, it’s very important to know what to do in the immediate aftermath. Steps that you will take later can help you avoid very serious consequences. If you’re not sure what you’re supposed to do next, then take a look at these useful steps below.
Things To Immediately Do After A Truck Accident
Contact The Police
Notifying the police about the crash is crucial and something that has to be done immediately, however, it doesn’t mean that you should provide them with any information that could lead a court or insurance company to think that you were the one that caused the accident.
Instead, all you have to do is explain exactly what happened. Furthermore, if you decide to file a claim with the insurance company, bear in mind that you should keep your report very short and genuine.
Expect to receive a phone call from the insurance adjuster in the weeks following the crash. If this happens, then you should have someone experienced by your side who will help you deal with these people.
According to some reports, there are a lot of amazing legal experts in Texas, especially in El Paso. That’s why if you live in this city, ensure to search for car accident attorneys in El Paso to find someone who has dealt with similar cases like yours. Then you can simply give the insurance adjuster your solicitor’s contact information and tell them to contact him or her.
Make Sure To Take Picture Of The Wreckage
If you haven’t sustained any serious injury, and you are able to function, make sure to walk around and take a couple of pictures of the wreckage. It would be best to take pictures of every vehicle that was involved in the accident.
Besides that, you should also focus on capturing everything that is surrounding the scene, including large and tiny details. All of this is important because it will help accident reconstruction professionals to figure out what has occurred.
Do Not Sign Any Medical Authorization
If you are injured, expect to receive a call from an insurance adjuster asking for your medical records. He or she has the right to receive info concerning injuries from this collision, however, it doesn’t mean that he/she should get all your records.
If you decide to sign the insurance company’s blanket authorization, it is highly likely they will gain access to all your previous records that contain both useless and private details about you. If you want to avoid this, then you shouldn’t sign anything at least until your attorney gives you the green light. In fact, your advocate is supposed to be the one who will give your medical records to the adjuster.
Do Not Admit Fault!
Any type of vehicle accident can be extremely stressful, even if nobody is hurt. It’s completely logical if you’re feeling anxious or stressed. Sometimes, these sensations can cause your memory to become a bit unstable and shaky.
That’s precisely why you should never talk to anyone else about the accident other than truck accident lawyers who will advocate for your rights. More importantly, do not try to “make things right” by admitting you were the one who has caused the accident.
At times, even the plain and simple “I am sorry” can negatively affect your case, even if it’s crystal clear that you are innocent, hence, you should be very careful about this!
Do Not Postpone Medical Care
It doesn’t matter if your injuries are relatively harmless or not, you should visit a healthcare provider as soon as you can. The best time to do it is immediately after leaving the scene. Why does this matter?
Namely, if you act fast, you will make sure that you get adequate care for any type of injury, including the ones that do not showcase symptoms instantly. More importantly, it will strengthen your personal injury claim by demonstrating your commitment to alleviating your damages.
If you were injured in a truck accident, then you definitely deserve full compensation, however, you will not be fully compensated if you make some mistakes along the way. That’s why this article is here to help you avoid them and overcome every single obstacle.