If an individual is involved in a truck accident, it is a scary situation. Some people may wonder what to do next. Due to the complexity of these accidents, hiring an attorney for help is essential.
However, there are some people who are hesitant to hire an experienced accident attorney, like John Whitfield. Keep reading for some of the top reasons to hire an accident attorney after a truck accident here.
Stop and Make Sure to Report the Crash
If a person is involved in a truck accident, they should stay at the scene of the accident. Be sure that everyone is safe, and the vehicle should be removed from the road, if possible. Be sure that other drivers can see the vehicle too. The best way to do this is by turning the hazard lights on. Another option would be to put road flares around the vehicle. This is going to help prevent another accident from occurring.
If someone has been injured or died because of the accident, it is essential to call 911 right away. If this is not an option, try calling the state highway patrol or the police. After the officer arrives, they will assess the situation, complete the accident report, and let the person know what they should do next. Be sure to get a copy of the accident report to keep for a person’s records and present this as evidence if the accident victim has to go to court because of the accident.
Get Medical Treatment
It is essential that anyone who was involved in the accident to get medical attention right after an accident occurs. This is true regardless of a person is injured or not. Sometimes, adrenaline is going to keep the accident victim from feeling pain or noticing they have been injured. If the individual does not receive treatment while they are at the scene of the accident, or if they are not transported to the hospital right away, they should go to the doctor on their own. It is essential to have a medical professional check a person out to determine what type of care -; if any -; is needed. If the accident victim does not seek medication treatment or follow through with the treatment recommendations, it may interfere with the individual’s ability to get compensation for the injuries down the road.
Identify Anyone Else Who Was Involved
Try to find any type of identifying signs or marks on the truck or the other vehicles that were involved in the accident. Even if the truck driver is at fault, the company that they drive for may also be considered liable for the injuries and damages that a person suffered. It is important to gather as much information as possible to ensure that your specialist lawyer for truck accident injuries will be able to identify potentially liable parties that may be held responsible for the role they had in the accident.
Exchange Information with the Other Person Involved
It is essential that everyone involved in the accident shares their information with the other parties. After the accident victim or someone else involved leaves the scene, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to find them again. Even if the accident victim has gotten the person’s name or the name of the trucking company, getting in touch with them can be extremely challenging. By gathering contact information while still at the scene, it will make things a lot easier when it comes to acquiring compensation.
Some of the documents that should be gathered include the other driver’s name, their address, email address, and phone number. However, do not stop there. Get their insurance information, including their policy number. If possible, get the driver’s license number for the truck driver and the name and contact information for the employer of the truck driver.
Find Out if There Were Any Witnesses
It is a good idea to check for any witnesses who are at or close to the scene of the accident. If a person can, it is a good idea to collect statements from witnesses or get the police to do so. Sometimes, these witnesses may be called to testify if the case goes to court. It is also a good idea to check the accident report to find out if the responding police officer interviewed the witnesses that an accident victim could have missed.
Gather Accident Documentation
It is a good idea to take pictures of the accident, vehicles, and scene using a camera or phone. The pictures can be used as a type of evidence to help prove who was at-fault for the accident, how severe the injuries were, the total amount of damage to the vehicle, and any other type of information that may be beneficial to the case. It is difficult to argue with evidence that is captured in photos. The photos can also be used to make more sense of the accident and to figure out exactly what went on and why it happened.
If a person suffered an injury during the accident, be sure to take pictures of any injuries. It is also a good idea to record the recovery using a journal or pictures. This is going to show off how serious a person’s injuries were and how long it took a person to fully recover from them. This evidence is going to help determine the total amount of compensation that a person should receive.
Find the Right Attorney for the Job
When it comes to a truck accident, there are more than a few factors that must be considered. Take some time to use the tips and information here to see why these services can be so valuable. Remember, when it comes time to hire an attorney, they are not all created equal. It is up to an accident victim to find the attorney best suited to the needs of the case. Be sure to keep this in mind and get the quality representation that is needed. This is going to pay off and help accident victims financially recover from the damages they suffered.
