Have you brought your personal needs through online shopping? Because of the pandemic, many people have been restricted from going outside of their houses, hence the reliance on online shopping.
Nowadays, most people buy things they need and want through online shopping platforms. This caused the boom in online selling, and more people are now into this business to support their needs, especially during these trying times.
The ever-growing online shopping industry has resulted in a surge of delivery trucks to serve and fulfill increasing consumer demands. Unfortunately, this results in more fatal collisions everywhere.
A collision with a truck is one of the fatal road accidents. Many road accidents involving trucks happen across the world. In case this happens to you, do you know what to do?
The first step you do is one of the critical things that would affect your case positively or negatively. So, here are the things you need to do immediately after a truck accident:
Check If Anyone Is Hurt
This is the first thing you need to do after every accident. Safety should be everyone’s top priority before anything else. Check if you or your companions are severely injured. If anyone suffers from critical injuries, don’t hesitate and call 911 for medical assistance immediately.
Moreover, if you need help getting compensation for medical treatment costs, law firms, like Hawk Lawfirm, may assist you with your claims. So, call them immediately as soon as you receive proper treatment.
Get Everyone Out Of The Vehicle
If no one’s injured in any other way, it would be best to get yourselves out of the vehicle as soon as possible. You’ll never know what dangers could happen if you stay inside for long.
In addition, if the vehicle looks okay, you may move it out of the road to prevent further traffic to other motorists. Keep your hazard lights on and set up your emergency light to inform other vehicles to slow down.
However, if your vehicle is severely damaged, do not change its position in any other way. Leave it as is while you wait for the proper authorities to arrive.
Call Police Authorities
After ensuring your safety, this is another step you shouldn’t miss. Call the police as soon as you are safe and out of danger. Take note of the names of authorities, badge numbers, and contact details once they arrive. Tell everything that happened from the time before and after the collision.
The police will note every detail you and the other driver mentioned in a police report. Make sure to get a copy of that police report. This may not be considered evidence in court, but it will help you and your personal injury lawyer in your investigation.
Collect All Necessary Details
Make sure to collect all information that will help you get your claim, such as the truck driver’s name, contact details, truck’s license plate, and company name. You may also use your phone to take clear pictures of the documents, such as the truck driver’s license.
According to experts, you should also get the company’s number, insurance policy number, the model of the truck, including its year and color, and the truck’s identification number.
Never share personal details, though, including your social security number and other sensitive information.
Likewise, you may sketch the scene or voice-record the details while they are still fresh on your mind. Include the weather and the road’s visibility as well. You may also take photos or videos of the company’s logo, skid marks, and property damages.
Don’t Let Your Emotions Run Wild
Never discuss or argue with the truck driver about who’s responsible for the accident. Stay calm, and don’t let any other damage happen because of your emotions. If you believe that you are the victim and the truck driver has driven recklessly, trust your instincts and call the authorities.
Furthermore, discuss what happened with the truck driver only when police officers have arrived.
Check If There Are Civilians Present
It is also important to check if there are people who have seen the accident. You may ask them politely if they can answer some questions from the authorities or be witnesses to the accident. You may also try to get their names and contact details. Witnesses could help your lawyer in gaining the upper hand of the case by providing substantial statements.
Final Words
If you are severely injured during a vehicular collision, you might need help from a personal injury lawyer, especially someone with expertise on truck accidents. Before that, you must ensure your safety first and call the paramedics immediately.
Personal injury lawyers can help you get fair compensation, especially if you’re a victim. However, you may still file for a claim, even if you are partly responsible for what happened. So, getting legal advice from a professional is a must.
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