What Can I Do To Protect My Rights After A Truck Accident? | 24/7 Support
You can take several steps to protect your rights after a truck accident, including:
- Making a record of events
- Getting witnesses’ contact information
- Filing a police report
- Seeking medical attention
- Notifying your insurer of the crash
- Finding out your legal options
Understanding the legal process will help you recover damages incurred from a crash. An attorney can assist you with protecting your rights after a truck accident.
First Steps After a Truck Accident
After a truck accident, you may be unsure about what to do next. Some people are badly injured or in shock after the incident. However, if you are able to take a few steps immediately after an accident to protect yourself, do so.
If you can’t do it right away, take these steps when you can.
Make a Record of Events
Take time to jot down some notes about what occurred. Most likely, you will give a verbal statement to the police, but they may not write things down the same way you would yourself.
You can also make a recording of what happened with your phone. This documentation will help your attorney in the event of a dispute about what occurred.
Get Eyewitnesses’ Contact Information
If someone witnesses the accident and is willing to verify your side of the story, ask them for their name and phone number. An attorney may want to contact them later to get their statement. You can use it as evidence in your claim.
File a Police Report
Usually, the responding officer will write up a report of the accident. Give your statement of what happened, even if the other party does, too. However, if they didn’t come to the scene or you’re not sure if they wrote a report, be sure to file one.
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Seek Medical Help
You may feel like you’re fine after an accident, but it’s vital to get checked out by a medical professional. Some people experience pain or issues a few days later. You could have underlying injuries.
By getting medical attention right away, you can establish a clear record of your actions, linking the accident to any injuries you may have incurred.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Let your insurance company know right away that you had an accident. They will begin the process of handling the damages to the vehicles. However, don’t sign any paperwork about personal injuries or settlements.
Find Out Your Legal Options
Check with an attorney about your legal options. You may be able to recover damages for any personal injuries you suffered.
Who is Responsible for a Truck Accident?
Accidents are usually all one person’s fault. In some cases, though, both parties share some of the blame. It’s essential to show the other party was at least 51 percent at fault. The more fault that is attributed to the other party, the more damages you may be able to collect.
Some parties that may be at fault in your truck accident case include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- A mechanic
- The cargo company
- A trucks parts manufacturer
- A government municipality
- Another road user
A combination of these entities could hold blame for the crash. You can seek damages from each of them accordingly.
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What Types of Damages Can You Recover After a Truck Accident?
You can recover personal injury damages after a truck accident: economic and non-economic. Economic damages include compensation for the money you had to pay due to the accident, such as:
- Past and future medical expenses: Doctor’s visits, hospital stays, physical therapy, surgeries, mobility aids, prescriptions, and so on
- Lost wages: Wages you lost while being away from work
- Reduced earning capacity: The change in working capacity if you can’t go back to work full-time or at all
- Property damages expenses: If your vehicle was damaged or totaled in the crash
Non-economic damages involve the pain and suffering a person endures because of getting injured. It may also include mental anguish, scarring and disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment or consortium.
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