If you drive at all, it’s important to be prepared and know what to do in emergency situations such as an accident with a commercial vehicle like a 18-wheeler. If you have been in an accident, it may not be too late to take the steps towards a fair settlement for the damages you’ve suffered. Yes, odds are small that this may happen to you, but as the old saying goes, “failure to prepare is preparing to fail”, and commercial vehicle accidents can cause untold physical, mental, and property damages.
If you were in an auto accident where you were hit by a truck, you may have a truck accident claim. It’s important to contact a St. Louis truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident. Learn how Combs Waterkotte can help you with your case today by calling (314) 900-HELP or contacting us online today.
What To Do After A Truck Accident
If you are involved in a crash with a semi truck, van, bus, or other large truck or commercial vehicle, you may be entitled to compensation. These large vehicles can be extremely destructive, and the best thing to do is exercise caution and drive defensively. But sometimes an accident is inevitable. Truck drivers are often driving for many hours at a time and make mistakes. If you do get hurt in a truck accident, follow the steps below.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
- Get to safety
Stay at the scene of the accident so it can be properly documented, but do what you can to keep yourself, your passengers, and other roadway users safe. This means pulling over to the shoulder or another area out of traffic, potentially cleaning up debris, and in general
- Call 911
Get first responders to the scene of the accident as quickly as possible. Stay in a safe spot and wait for medical responders to examine you. Even if you don’t think you are seriously injured, make sure to get emergency medical attention because you could be in shock or have injuries that are not readily visible, like whiplash or a traumatic brain injury.
You also want to give an accident report by speaking to the police right away, as this will help your case further down the line.
- Collect evidence
If you require serious medical attention right away, disregard these next steps. Allow the ambulance to take you to the hospital to receive the care you need. But if you’re physically able to, take pictures of the road and traffic conditions, the damage to your vehicle, and your injuries. If witnesses were nearby, get their accounts, either by taking a video or writing down information. This evidence could be vital in your truck accident claim and help convince a judge or jury to award you an improved award or settlement.
- Exchange information
Get information from the driver of the truck as well as any available witnesses. Do not rely on the police to collect witness accounts and contact information for every witness. When you speak to the truck driver, be polite but be careful what you say–certain phrases or words that you think are innocuous may lead people to believe that you admitted fault. Get their:
- Name, address, phone number, and email address
- Driver’s license number
- Insurance card information
- Name and contact information for the trucking company and truck driver’s employer
- License plate number of the truck and any other identifying information
- Contact a truck accident lawyer
As soon as possible after the accident and once you have left the scene and returned to safety, you need to contact a qualified truck accident lawyer. With a free initial consultation, a law firm such as Combs Waterkotte can get a sense of your situation to determine whether you have a truck accident case and whether you need a lawyer. In most cases, because of the sheer amount of destruction large trucks are capable of producing and the multiple parties involved in commercial vehicles, you will need legal representation to successfully settle your case. Once you have hired a lawyer, they will advise you on additional steps to take during your case and will help take care of the intricacies of filing an auto accident case for you.
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Get all necessary medical treatment. Once you have hired a lawyer and filed your accident claim, follow your lawyer’s advice. An important thing to do is to continue to get medical treatment for your injuries. The medical files and documentation will help you prove your case. Plus, you want to get the prompt medical treatment that will help you make as full a recovery as possible.
Follow these steps any time you get in an accident with a commercial vehicle like a semi truck, delivery van, or bus. If you are injured in a truck accident, get the medical treatment you need and make sure to contact a reputable St. Louis truck accident law firm such as Combs Waterkotte straight away.
St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyer | Combs Waterkotte
Truck accidents can be scary and are often tremendously damaging–and not just to your car, either. If you ever get in an accident with a truck or other commercial vehicle, it’s important that you know what to do and that you take the proper steps to recover physically and obtain fair compensation for the damages. For help with your truck accident case, talk to the experienced St. Louis truck accident lawyers at Combs Waterkotte. We will discuss your case with you with no obligation. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP or send us a message to schedule a free consultation.
