Being injured in an accident with a tractor-trailer or commercial truck is traumatic. After a crash you may feel shaken and confused, and you may not know what do to protect your health and financial security. At Stanley Law Offices, our tractor-trailer attorneys believe that educating clients about how to safeguard their rights is critical because you never know what’s just around the corner. If you’re involved in a tractor-trailer crash, staying calm and taking the following steps can help to ensure you get the medical care and compensation you need and deserve.
What To Do At The Scene
The scene of an accident can be overwhelming and chaotic, especially when a tractor-trailer and multiple vehicles are involved. Try to stay composed, call 911, and wait for first responders to arrive. Check to see if anyone else is hurt and needs first aid. If you’re seriously injured, stay where you are unless you’re in imminent danger. If you’re able to move and it’s safe to exit your vehicle, taking these steps can provide valuable documentation to back up a potential personal injury claim.
Gather Contact And Insurance Information
Write down contact and insurance information for all involved drivers and if possible, their driver’s license and license plate numbers as well. Emotions can run high after a motor vehicle accident. Be helpful and civil to others if you can, but don’t admit fault. When a tractor-trailer is involved, it’s also critical to obtain information from the truck driver and their employer or trucking company.
Take Photos
Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and damage to all vehicles. Try to get photos from all angles and make sure any skid marks or other potential evidence is visible.
Get A Police Report
If available, get a copy of the police report at the scene. If not, write down the responding officers’ names, badge numbers, and contact information. Police reports are critical evidence when it comes to documenting what occurred and determining fault in a personal injury claim.
Collect Witness Statements
If any passerby or occupants of other vehicles not involved in the crash were witnesses to the accident, get their contact information and ask them to jot down what they saw.
Seek Medical Treatment
Going to the ER or seeking treatment from a medical provider right away is essential to make sure you get the care you need and that your injuries are documented. Even if you believe you’re not seriously hurt, symptoms of your injuries may not appear until days or weeks later. Keep all documentation and bills you receive from medical providers and hospitals.
Don’t Speak To Insurance Adjusters Or The Trucking Company
When a tractor-trailer is involved in an accident, the trucking company may send representatives to the scene immediately. Don’t speak to anyone, sign anything, or accept a settlement from an insurance company before consulting a tractor-trailer accident lawyer. You may not be aware of the extent of your injuries or property damage to your vehicle. Insurance companies often try to deny or devalue claims and if you accept a settlement that’s too low, you may be stuck with costly medical bills and financial worries due to missed time from work. Not only that, if you’ve suffered other damages like chronic pain or emotional distress, you’ll need a tractor-trailer accident attorney to accurately value your claim to maximize your recovery.
Contact A Tractor-trailer Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured, call a the extent of your injuries who is experienced in handling tractor-trailer accident cases. Most personal injury lawyers offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis, which means you won’t incur any up-front costs and won’t have to pay attorney fees unless they recover compensation for you. An attorney will handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance company and investigate the circumstances of the accident so you can focus on your recovery.
The Team at Stanley Law understands that it takes true grit to win a case, especially when you’re going up against a powerful entity like a large trucking company. These types of cases are multifaceted. Our legal team has decades of experience in successfully recovering maximum compensation for injured victims. To schedule a consultation with a tractor-trailer accident lawyer at one of our convenient locations in Syracuse, Binghamton, Watertown or Rochester, NY or Montrose, PA, contact us online or call us at 800-608-3333 or 800-372-3760. Se habla español.
