We spend hours and hours each week behind the wheel of our automobile. It’s easy to start to think of it as a second home. In fact, we get so comfortable that we often forget how big of a risk driving can be.
Accidents happen at an alarming rate and can range wildly in terms of their severity. When it comes to big truck wrecks, the damage done to one’s vehicle and the personal injuries sustained can be very serious.
If you’ve been in a big truck accident, it’s important that you know what to do in the aftermath. Read on, and we’ll walk you through a few key tips that will point you in the right direction.
1. Safety Comes First
It can be hard to think straight after an accident involving a big truck. Likely, your body will have gone into shock. It’s important that you take the proper steps to ensure your own safety before thinking of anything else.
If you’re still in the road, move your car off to the side and out of the way of danger. If you can’t move, ensure your hazards are on.
Take a brief inventory of yourself. Have you been injured? Do you need immediate medical attention? Check thoroughly. Even if you don’t feel pain, it might be the adrenaline from the accident masking it. Do a thorough check and call 911 if you need immediate assistance.
If you’re okay, check on the status of the other drivers involved and call for help if need be.
2. Collect Evidence at the Scene of the Accident
If you’ve been in an accident with a big truck, it’s likely that the truck driver initiated the accident. This isn’t always the case, but it commonly is. The driver might have been speeding, driving recklessly, or been impaired due to fatigue.
Take as many photos as you can while you’re at the scene of the accident. Document damage to your vehicle or to yourself. Take some wider photos that establish the scene. Ensure the police who arrive get the facts down right, and request a copy of the police report.
Victims of semi truck accidents usually can collect compensation from the party who was at fault for the accident. Collecting this evidence will ensure you have a strong case.
3. Talk to an Attorney
Bringing a lawsuit forward against a truck driver can be complicated. Proving fault in any kind of car accident case can be challenging. But when a semi-truck is involved, it becomes even more difficult to pinpoint the blame. It might be the driver in question’s fault, but it also might be the company that they work for.
Hiring an experienced attorney will help you navigate the legal waters surrounding your case. You deserve all the compensation that you have a right to, and an attorney will ensure that this occurs.
Dealing With Big Truck Wrecks
If you’ve been involved in an accident with a semi-truck, it’s important you know what to do. Big truck wrecks can be scary and legally complicated to handle but the above tips can help.
Need more advice for the road? Check out the rest of our blog for more information.