In 2018, over 4,100 people lost their lives in truck accidents. These fatalities were largely comprised of car drivers and passengers, with the proportion of truckers and pedestrians trailing closely behind. Surprisingly, truck accidents are most often caused by motorists in standard cars, signaling that many drivers are insecure when sharing the road with large semi-trucks. This increases the risk of collision, as this lack of confidence can alter normal driving habits. If you find yourself in a truck accident for this or any other reason, the most important step to you can take is to immediately obtain the legal guidance of a well-trusted truck accident attorney who will help ensure that you are legally compensated for your injuries.
As the victim of such a collision, you have the right to file a claim against any number of individuals or parties who may have been involved in the cause of the crash. For example, if the semi-truck was operating in poor condition, the individuals or company responsible for maintaining and servicing the vehicle may be held liable for your crash. In other circumstances, you might also be able to hold the trucking company or the driver themselves accountable.
To initiate the claims process, and determine liability for your case, follow the steps below:
1. Call the police and emergency services
Truck accidents can be incredibly violent due to the size and weight of these vehicles. Victims are likely to be severely injured, so you’ll need to have emergency medical treatment available onsite immediately after speaking with law enforcement.
Note: You will need to save copies of both the police report and your medical treatment records. These are critical to building your claim against the negligent party, no matter if it’s the trucker themselves, their employer, or others related to the company.
2. Collect the truck driver’s information
Look at the truck to locate any identifying information of the driver or their company. Note any phone numbers, driver identification numbers, the license plate, and company names. Finally, speak with the truck driver and collect their personal information, including their:
- Name
- Driver’s license number
- Phone number
- Mailing address
- Personal insurance information
- Employer’s name and contact information
3. Gather witness’ contact information
Since the majority of truck accidents are the car driver’s fault, and you will be legally challenging a commercial entity, you will need as much supporting evidence as possible to build your case.
It is best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible since these cases can become quite complicated. Additionally, filing a claim against a trucking company comes with immense logistical and financial challenges. Yet, an experienced truck accident lawyer will investigate your case and secure as much evidence as possible to prove the trucker’s liability beyond a reasonable doubt.
Contact a Lawyer As Soon as Possible
The litigation process following a truck accident can be overwhelming. Powerful trucking companies are known to use tactics to trick the car driver into “admitting” liability, such as requesting recorded statements and misconstruing your words.
It is imperative that you speak with a lawyer immediately after the crash, so you don’t succumb to these manipulations and improve your chances of securing your due compensation. To obtain the funds you need to cover medical expenses and other damages from the crash, get in touch with a legal team today.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
