Being involved in a trucking accident is a traumatic experience and can result in serious injury and even death. After all, a 3,000-pound passenger vehicle is no match for an 80,000 pound loaded semi-truck. Further, truck drivers are under pressure to deliver loads quickly in order to make a decent wage, and the profits for trucking companies depend on how fast the turnaround time is. Frighteningly, at any given moment, there are thousands of overly fatigued truck drivers on the roadways –and fatigued truck drivers are one of the top causes of trucking accidents.
After a trucking accident, you may be too injured to take the necessary steps to protect your rights. You may be dealing with a life-changing injury or permanent disability and focused solely on your recovery. When this occurs, it is crucial that you ask a friend or family member to speak to an experienced trucking accident attorney on your behalf. The likelihood of receiving an equitable settlement increases exponentially when an attorney can investigate your accident quickly.
Yet contacting a trucking accident attorney quickly is just one of the steps you should take after a devastating trucking accident. Do you know the rest of the steps?
Steps to Take After a Trucking Accident
The basic steps which should be taken after your trucking accident include:
- Get medical care immediately: life-saving medical attention administered during the first hour following the crash is paramount to survival. If you are able, make a note of the name of the doctor and medical facility where you receive your treatment.
- Report the accident: If your accident was severe—and the odds are that it was—there will be police and EMT’s on the scene; therefore, the accident is “reported.” If the accident was less serious, it is important to call the police and report the accident on your own.
- Avoid speaking to other victims: After a trucking accident, provide only the basic details to police and others. Provide your contact information, but refrain from saying anything regarding your involvement in the accident—including saying you are sorry, which can be interpreted as an admission of guilt. Remember that fault can be a complex, multi-party issue in a trucking accident.
- Photograph accident scene: If you are medically able, take photographs of the scene of the accident from various angles, recording details about each vehicle involved. If you are injured, ask a family member to take photos of your injuries, the damage to your vehicle, and the accident scene.
- Obtain Witness Information: If there are witnesses to the accident who are still on the scene, get names, addresses, and phone numbers if you are able.
- Police Report: Obtain a copy of the police report as soon as it is available.
- Contact Insurance Company: As soon as you are medically able, speak to your own insurance company regarding the accident, providing only the basic facts.
- Contact a Trucking Accident Attorney: Refrain from providing a written or recorded statement until you have spoken to an experienced truck accident attorney. Your attorney can ensure that all evidence is collected quickly and that you are not pressured into accepting a low-ball insurance settlement.
Contact Experienced Trucking Accident Lawyers
If you have been injured in a trucking accident in the Washington, DC metro area, Virginia, or throughout the State of Maryland, the trucking accident attorneys at Patrick Malone & Associates can help. Our trucking accident lawyers work tirelessly for all our clients. We can build a case that is designed to prove liability and maximize compensation after a devastating trucking accident. Call us at 1-202-742-1500 or 1-888-625-6635 or fill out our confidential contact form for a FREE Consultation and review of your case.
The trucking accident attorneys at Patrick Malone & Associates have successfully represented injured individuals in Washington, DC, Arlington, Alexandria, Annapolis, Rockville, Baltimore, Richmond, Fairfax, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and other locations throughout Maryland and Virginia.
