If you've been involved in a truck accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention, even if you don't think you're injured. Some injuries, such as whiplash, may not be immediately apparent. Once you've seen a doctor, follow their instructions for care and recovery.
This article will discuss what to do if you are injured in a truck accident.
Truck Accident Injury & Fatality Statistics
In the United States, large trucks and buses are involved in about 4,000 fatal crashes each year. About 500,000 people are injured in large truck crashes annually.
Trucks weigh 20-30 times as much as passenger cars, and take much longer to stop.
Truck drivers have a responsibility to operate their vehicles safely and to follow the rules of the road. Unfortunately, not all truck drivers do so, and accidents happen.
Moreover, even when truck drivers are following the rules, accidents can still happen because of the sheer size and weight of their vehicles. When a truck and a passenger car collide, it is almost always the occupants of the passenger car who are injured or killed.
What Are Common Truck Accident Injuries?
When you get into a truck accident, you might get either minor or major injuries, such as:
Head and brain injuries
These are some of the most common and serious injuries in truck accidents: traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussion, skull fractures, and bleeding on the brain can all occur in a truck accident.
Neck and back injuries
Whiplash is a common injury in car accidents, but it can also occur in truck accidents. Other neck and back injuries can include herniated discs, spinal cord damage, and paralysis.
Broken bones
Any bone can be broken in a truck accident, but common fractures include those in the legs, arms, and ribs.
Lacerations
Cuts and scrapes are common in truck accidents.
Internal bleeding
This is a serious injury that can occur when an organ is ruptured or damaged in a truck accident. Internal bleeding can lead to death if not treated immediately.
Burns
These can range from first to third-degree burns, and can be caused by the truck's engine, chemicals, or explosions.
Spinal injuries
These injuries can be extremely serious, and can lead to paralysis.
Wrongful death
In some cases, truck accidents can lead to the death of one or more occupants of the other vehicle. This is known as wrongful death, and the surviving family members may be able to file a lawsuit against the truck driver or trucking company.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
If you've been involved in a truck accident, here are some things you need to do right away:
Call the police
Regardless of how minor the accident may seem, you should always call the police so that they can investigate and file a report.
Get medical attention
Even if you don't think you're injured, it's important to get checked out by a doctor. Some injuries, such as whiplash, may not be immediately apparent.
Exchange information with the truck driver
Get the truck driver's name, contact information, insurance information, and license plate number. You should also get the contact information for any witnesses to the accident.
Talk to witnesses
When witnesses are talking to the police, be sure to get their contact information so that you can follow up with them later.
Document the accident scene
If you have a camera or camera phone, take photos of the accident scene, the damage to your vehicle, and your injuries. These photos will be helpful in documenting what happened and will be useful evidence if you need to file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
Get the vehicle appraised
Once the police have cleared the scene, you should get your vehicle appraised so that you know how much it will cost to repair or replace it.
Watch what you say
Always be careful and diligent about what you say to insurance adjusters, police officers, and other people involved in the accident. Don't admit fault or apologize for anything, as these can be used against you later.
Avoid posting to social media
One common mistake people make after an accident is posting about it on social media. Even if you didn't do anything wrong, insurance companies and the other driver's lawyers will be looking for anything they can use against you. So it's best to avoid posting anything about the accident on social media.
Contact your insurance company and file a report
It's always important to contact your insurance company after an accident and to let them know what happened. They will likely need you to file a report so that they can begin processing your claim.
Follow your doctor's orders
Once you've seen a doctor, follow their instructions for care and recovery.
Hire a truck accident lawyer
If you've been seriously injured in a truck accident, you should consider hiring a personal injury lawyer to help you get the compensation you deserve. A lawyer can deal with insurance companies and help you build a strong case so that you can get the maximum amount of money possible.
Truck accidents can be devastating, both emotionally and physically. But by taking the right steps after an accident, you can protect yourself and your rights.
We at Atty SGT Pike have the best truck accident lawyers who will help you get the right compensation. Our team of truck accident lawyers has extensive experience in handling such cases and knows exactly what needs to be done to get you the best possible outcome.
Who can be held liable for a truck accident?
The answer will depend on the particular facts of your case, but there are several potential defendants who could be held liable for your injuries. These include the truck driver, the trucking company, the manufacturer of the truck or its parts, and even the government if the accident was caused by a defective road.
What if multiple parties caused the truck accident?
In such cases where multiple parties caused the truck accident, each party can be held liable for the portion of the damages that they were responsible for. For example, if the truck driver was speeding and the trucking company failed to properly maintain the truck, then both parties could be held liable for the accident.
What compensation can I get after a truck accident?
If you've been injured in a truck accident, you may be able to get compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. The amount of money you can get will depend on the severity of your injuries, the liable parties, and other factors.
Getting Legal Help After a Truck Accident
The most important thing you can do after a truck accident is to get legal help as soon as possible. An experienced truck accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and options, and will fight to get you the maximum amount of compensation possible.
At Atty. SGT Pike, we have a team of experienced truck accident lawyers who are ready to help you with your case. Contact us today for a free consultation. We would be happy to review your case and answer any questions you have.
