While all vehicle accidents can be serious, those involving large trucks can be particularly terrifying. Since a large truck can weigh as much as 32,000 pounds, it can do a significant amount of damage to a passenger vehicle. When you are involved in such an accident, it is likely you will suffer serious or life-threatening injuries. As a result, you will need to be compensated for such damages as medical treatment and lost wages. Along with hiring a skilled personal injury lawyer to assist you, it is also crucial you take the following steps immediately after the accident.
1. Get Treatment for Your Injuries
Even if you believe you were not seriously injured in the accident, always allow yourself to be examined at the scene and also at a hospital. Since traumatic brain injuries, back injuries, and other internal injuries may not show immediate symptoms, it is always best to let a doctor examine you as quickly as possible.
2. Take Photos of Accident Scene
If you can, take photos of the accident scene. This should include damage sustained to your vehicle, visible injuries you may have, and skid marks or other indicators that the truck driver was driving in a reckless manner. Once you have these photos, turn them over to your personal injury lawyer.
3. Call Police to the Scene
Since these accidents can be very serious, always call police to the scene as fast as possible. Not only will they make the scene secure, but they will also examine evidence at the scene and make a preliminary determination of who was at fault for the accident. Upon doing so, they will file an accident report, which can be a crucial part of your lawyer’s strategy. Should police direct blame for the accident at the truck driver, your attorney can often use this information to pressure the trucking company’s insurance representatives into an out-of-court settlement.
By following these steps and always following the advice of our truck accident lawyer in Phoenix, you will have a much better chance of winning your lawsuit and being compensated for the damages sustained due to another driver’s carelessness.
