You have probably been instructed many times on what to do if you get into a car accident. You likely know that you should exchange insurance information, file a police report, and take a few photos if you can. On the other hand, few drivers are prepared for a truck accident. Crashes caused by big rigs can be much more chaotic, often involving severe injuries and numerous other vehicles. The exchange of information usually advised after a car crash may be impossible or simply not practical.
The process for recovering compensation can also look a bit different. If you are injured in an accident involving a big rig, contacting a lawyer as soon as possible is one of the most important things you can do. The sooner your lawyer can get to the accident scene to investigate, the easier important evidence will be to recover.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Crash With an 18-Wheeler?
The immediate aftermath of a semi-truck crash can be confusing to navigate. The process of holding a negligent truck driver responsible can be more challenging and may take longer than seeking to recover for a more typical car accident claim. You will want an experienced attorney who has dealt with truck companies and their insurance to help you navigate this process.
Steps you can take right after the accident include:
- Medical care – Getting emergency medical care for those with serious injuries is the first priority. Calling an ambulance, or multiple ambulances will quite often be the first thing you do when you are able to safely reach your phone. Make sure to get prompt medical care for yourself as well, even if you do not think you are injured. You may be in shock and unable to immediately notice an injury.
- Police report – Calling 911 may be warranted after many big rig accidents. There may be additional safety concerns after a crash depending on what type of cargo the truck was carrying and whether there is a risk of fire or explosion. The police report is very important here, as it can create a record of what was observed at the accident scene very soon after the crash, before any road-clearing efforts take place.
- Avoid public statements – If the crash was serious enough or blocked an important stretch of road, you may see news coverage and feel tempted to comment. Press could even arrive and want to speak to you. This is inadvisable, as misspeaking can hurt your case later. Even social media posts about the accident should be avoided unless your attorney specifically tells you otherwise.
Call a Wisconsin Truck Accidents Lawyer
If you were injured in a crash involving a semi-truck, Herrling Clark Law Firm Ltd. can offer you quality legal representation as you pursue damages. Our knowledgeable Green Bay truck accident lawyers will fight for you to receive full compensation for all your injuries and costs. Call us at 920-739-7366 for a free consultation.
Source:
https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=724611