What To Do After a Truck Accident

Injured in a semi crash? You need a Cleveland truck accident lawyer on your side

Getting injured in a crash with an 18-wheeler can leave you confused and unsure of what to do next. That’s why our Cleveland truck accident lawyers have 10 helpful tips every driver should know in the event of a collision with a tractor-trailer.

Have you been injured in a crash with a semi-truck? If so, you have rights, and the Cleveland truck accident lawyers at Merriman Legal, LLC can stand up for them. You may be entitled to financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages from missed time at work, pain, suffering, and more. Let our team get to work for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Top 10 steps to take after a truck accident:

1. Call the police: Everyone involved in the accident is legally required to stay at the scene of the crash. If possible, move your vehicle out of the roadway to somewhere safe to avoid any other collisions. Turn on your car’s flashing hazard lights. If anyone is noticeably injured, make sure to call 911 as soon as possible to let them know you need an ambulance. Truck accidents are often complex, so when police arrive be sure to follow their instructions and ask them how you can obtain a copy of the official accident report. This will be a valuable piece of evidence if you decide to pursue an accident claim.
2. Remain calm: It’s natural to feel upset or angry if you get into a truck accident and it wasn’t your fault, but yelling, screaming, and arguing with other drivers involved in the crash will get you nowhere. If the trucker or other drivers are being hostile toward you, sit in your car with the doors locked and windows up until police arrive, if possible.
3. See a medical professional: Even if you aren’t noticeably injured and feel fine, symptoms from injuries such as whiplash can take days or weeks to materialize. You could also have life-threatening internal damage and not realize it. After your truck accident, make sure to have a medical provider such as an emergency room doctor, EMT, or other medical professional examine you and any of your passengers after the crash. Don’t try to diagnose yourself. If you don’t receive medical care after your accident and follow through with treatment, it may hinder your ability to receive compensation for any injuries you sustained in the accident.
4. Get everyone’s information: Make sure to get the trucker’s full name, license number, insurance information, truck company name, and contact information. If there were other vehicles involved in the crash, gather their information as well.
5. Provide your information: Provide your name, license number, insurance information, and a way to contact you, but don’t say anything about the crash to other drivers, and certainly don’t admit fault. Even something as harmless as “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t even see you” can be held against you when attempting to win a truck accident claim.
6. Check for witnesses: Witness testimony can be an extremely important piece of evidence when trying to win a truck accident claim. Whether it’s other drivers who were nearby when the collision occurred or pedestrians near the crash scene when it happened, collecting statements from witnesses (and their contact information) can tilt your truck accident claim in your favor.
7. Take pictures: Most people have cellphones equipped with cameras, so take advantage of that technology and take any relevant pictures or videos of the crash. Damage to all the vehicles involved, tire marks, traffic signs, traffic lights, the condition of the road, and the weather are all things you should try to document through picture or video after a truck accident.
8. Contact your insurance company: Notify your insurance company that you were in a crash with a semi-truck, but don’t provide any statements to your insurance company over the phone without first speaking to a lawyer. Your insurance company is supposed to have your best interests in mind, but all too often, that isn’t the case. Anything you say to your insurance company about the crash could potentially be used against you down the road, so your best course of action is to politely decline giving a statement and refer the insurance adjuster to your attorney.
9. Don’t talk to anyone else: Attorneys from the truck driver’s trucking company and insurance adjusters or lawyers representing other drivers involved in your truck accident may try to contact you. Don’t tell them anything about the crash. Refer them to your attorney. Just like with your own insurance company, anything you say to lawyers or insurance adjusters might come back to haunt you if you decide to pursue a truck accident claim.
10. Hire an experienced Cleveland truck accident lawyer: The truck accident lawyers from our Cleveland law firm have the knowledge and skill to investigate your crash, build a strong case, and get you the compensation you deserve. You have nothing to lose by contacting us. That’s because we offer a free initial consultation and work on a contingency fee

These 10 tips can help you prepare for what to do after you’ve been in a truck accident. It can take a long time to settle a personal injury claim following a semi-truck crash, but the truck accident lawyers from our Cleveland law firm have a record of winning results. In case after case, our attorneys consistently obtain sizeable settlements and verdicts for our injured clients. What’s the secret to our success? Hard work, attention to detail and our consistent commitment to our clients’ needs. Make my team your team. Contact us today for a free consultation.