The idea of a truck accident can be daunting, and flat out scary to think of. And yet, because they are quite common today with so many trucks and cars on the road, it is important to be prepared if you ever are to be involved in an accident with a large big-rig truck, also known as an 18 wheeler. In the event that you are ever involved in a car accident, or happen to witness one on the road, here are a few helpful tips.
First off, you want to evaluate the situation. What happened in the accident? Were you lightly bumped or were you thrown into the center divider? Next, are you or your passengers injured at all and if so, how badly? Depending on the situation, it may be best for you to wait to move until an emergency response team can arrive. I if you are able to move, consider still visiting a doctor to have a checkup, there may be internal damages that haven’t shown up yet after a bad accident. Even simple pains in your neck and back can potentially lead to more severe damage down the road if left untreated.
When discussing what happened with the police officers on the scene, make sure you are up front with them and give them as many details as you can remember about the situation. This phase is essential when there may be a potential lawsuit filed against the truck driver for your injuries after the accident. Also, discuss the matters with your insurance company right away, and give them all of the details as well. The truck driver’s insurance person may attempt to contact you to discuss the situation; it is not encouraged to talk things over with them without your own personal attorney watching out for your needs in the case.
Also, at the time of the accident if you are able, gather all of the information about them as you can. This would include their name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate, insurance number, make and model of the truck and vin numbers. It is also encouraged to take note of the situation itself, get pictures of the accident if you can as well as their truck and the respective damages. Note the current weather as well, because road conditions play a large role in accidents.
If you or someone you know has been in a California truck accident, contact an attorney today to discuss your case and to receive the compensation that you deserve for the damages as well as your injuries. At The Matiasic Firm we have years of experience, and we want to help you fight for what you deserve after an accident!