As we drive every day, one thing is for sure. Regardless of how careful we are, how well maintained our vehicles are, or how good the road is, there is always a probability that an accident might happen. This is something no-one has control over. The best we can do is observe all safety precautions and know what to do in case we ever find ourselves in an accident.
Whether you are driving a truck or a truck driver bumps into you, it is crucial to understand the issues revolving around such accidents and possible compensation claims. All the same, it all depends on how you act after the accident. With the larger bias on the injured person, here are some of the dos and don’ts you should know when involved in a truck accident.
1. The Do’s
Seek Medical Attention
This is one of the first things you need to do. Injuries are common in accidents and it’s wise that you get medical attention immediately. This is the same case when you look or feel perfectly fine. This is because some injuries won’t manifest right away but several tests can easily detect them. You don’t want to develop complications later in life that you would have avoided right from the moment you found yourself in the accident.
Gather Information from The Accident
When there aren’t any major injuries sustained, you can try to gather information from the accident. Take pictures, note down the registration numbers of the vehicles involved in the accident, and take the contacts of any witnesses. This information becomes helpful in case you have to go to court. You have higher chances of winning a personal injury claim when you have evidence that supports what the police will have filed from the accident.
Get a Competent Accident Attorney
When you are a truck driver, you for sure know that the trucking company you work for has several resources to protect their profits. You stand no chance fighting them on your own. This is why you need a lawyer since they have a better understanding of your rights and know what to do or say to ensure they are protected. The same case applies to other road users affected by the truck accident. Actually, the legal partners at the Demas Law Group say that passenger car occupants stand a higher risk of being injured or killed in such an accident. With a competent and experienced trucking accident attorney, it becomes easier to secure your accident compensation claims from such trucking companies however fierce they fight to deny or dodge them.
Keep A Record of Everything Related to the Accident
It is expected that you will incur several costs before you are compensated. You should keep a record of all these expenses, some of which may include the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Vehicle damage
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical and treatment expenses
- Other costs incurred related to the accident
These records will help you and your lawyer when negotiating for fair compensation.
2. The Don’ts
Never Drive Away
Anytime you find yourself in an accident, you should stop at the scene or a safe location close to the accident scene. Driving on after an accident – regardless of how minute the impact might have been – is a legal offense. It can make you seem to be the one at fault even when you actually weren’t. Even when you think you are at fault, never drive away. With a good attorney, you can easily turn things around.
Never Admit Fault
Sometimes you may be tempted to admit fault maybe because of guilt or any other motivator. However, you need to know that none of the individuals involved in the accident are responsible for it until proven otherwise. The best approach should be to call a lawyer before you think of apologizing or admitting fault.
Don’t Sign Anything
Insurers will always be in a hurry to make sure someone else takes the fall so they don’t have to pay. They will come in suits and papers that you will be asked to sign. If you have no idea what you are signing, then don’t. Preferably, let your lawyer be the one to tell you what to and what not to sign.
Don’t Do or Say Anything Without Your Lawyer
Your words alone are enough to ruin your chances of being well compensated. That being said, you need to be wise about what you say to anybody concerning the accident. Do not speak to the defendant (if there is one), insurers, or even the authorities without your lawyer. Your lawyer should act as an intermediary between you and these people. The lawyer will make sure you are not volunteering information that will ruin your chances if a claim is to be filed.
When you are in an accident, you need to know what to and not to do. Your action determines the route and turn of events after the accident. If you read through this piece, now you know what you should and shouldn’t do when you find yourself in a truck accident.
