Were you injured in a truck accident in Decatur, Alabama? The truck driver, trucking company, third-party maintenance company, or another entity could be responsible for compensating you if their negligence caused the crash. Getting the compensation you deserve is crucial. This article will discuss what steps you need to take in the aftermath of a truck crash.
If you’ve just been in a truck accident, medical attention should be your priority. From that point, you’ll want to protect your right to seek compensation for your injuries and financial losses. Keep reading for additional information to learn more about pursuing a truck accident claim in Decatur.
Steps You Should Take After a Decatur Truck Accident
Here are the most critical steps to take in the aftermath of a Decatur truck accident:
- Call the police and report the accident. Police accident reports are important in truck accident claims because they provide a baseline account of what the police believe happened. This information can be essential when negotiating with insurance companies later on. A police accident report might also contain key evidence demonstrating that the truck driver or another party is liable for your injuries. For example, liability could include blood or breath tests that reveal the truck driver was impaired at the time of the crash. Makes sure you report the accident and ensure police arrive before leaving the scene unless you are transported by ambulance for emergency treatment.
- Seek medical attention. Once police and emergency medical personnel have arrived at the crash scene, you need to have your injuries evaluated. Truck accidents can cause severe injuries. You might be taken to a hospital from the scene of the crash. If you aren’t brought to a hospital, get a full medical evaluation as soon as you can. You can go to an urgent care center, an emergency room, or your doctor. You need to see a doctor to make sure you don’t have any internal injuries. A doctor can also document the injuries you suffered. Later on, you can submit your medical records as evidence backing up your claim.
- Exchange information with the truck driver. There are several key pieces of information you need to get from the truck driver before leaving the scene of an accident. These include the truck driver’s name, their commercial driver’s license number, their insurance information, and the name of their employer. This information is imperative if you decide to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the truck driver or the company they work for.
- Document the evidence at the scene. Photos and evidence from the truck accident scene often reveal quite a bit about how the crash occurred and who may be responsible. If you’re able to do so, use your phone to take pictures of the crash site before leaving. Get photos of your injuries, the injuries to anyone else involved in the crash, the damage to the vehicles involved, and the general area where the collision occurred. Skid marks, the angle of impact, and other evidence from photos could be used to determine how the truck was moving before the accident, which may indicate if the driver was speeding or otherwise negligent.
- Write down contact information for witnesses. Eyewitness accounts can be extremely valuable in a truck accident case, especially if the witness’s account of what happened matches up with what you experienced. For example, an eyewitness might have seen that the truck driver was talking on their phone, tailgating, or was negligent in some other way.
- Be very careful what you say, especially to insurance companies. Anything you say about an accident, no matter who you tell it to, could potentially be used against you when you file a claim for compensation. You want to be careful when talking to insurance companies. Although an insurance adjuster may seem friendly and concerned, keep in mind that their ultimate goal is to save their employer money – not look out for your best interests. Do not agree to provide a written or recorded statement without assistance from your lawyer. Your best course of action is to say as little as possible and let your attorney handle all insurance company communication and negotiations.
- Avoid posting to social media. Anything you post on social media about a truck accident can potentially be used against you by the insurance company. Even if you think your social media posts are private, insurance companies could find a way to see your feed. Photos, videos, and posts could be taken out of context and used to diminish your claim. Not posting on social media is the safest bet to avoid hurting your claim.
- Call a truck accident lawyer. Truck accident claims are usually more complicated than car accident cases because, in many cases, there are multiple liable parties and more money at stake due to the severity of injuries and higher insurance policy limits. A truck accident attorney can investigate the crash to determine all the potentially liable parties and every potential source of insurance coverage. Unlike the insurance adjuster, your attorney will have your best interests at heart. Your lawyer will fight for your right to maximum compensation throughout the process.
Need to File a Decatur Truck Accident Claim? Our Attorneys Can Help
The Decatur truck accident attorneys at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C. have more than 50 years of combined experience representing injured people in Alabama. We’ve recovered more than $125 million in total compensation for our clients during that time. We would be honored to help you pursue the compensation you need to restore your life after a severe truck accident.
For more information, contact our office for a free and confidential consultation today.
