When you or someone you love is involved in a truck accident, it can be difficult to know what to do next. However, knowing what to do after an accident can help you protect your legal claim against the at-fault party. The Cincinnati truck accident lawyers at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy can guide you through the process of filing a personal injury claim if you were injured in a truck accident. We may be able to help you obtain compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related damages. Below are several steps you should take after being hurt in a truck accident to help protect your safety, defend your rights and begin building a valid case.
Get Medical Treatment
If you are injured, it is important to seek medical treatment. This can help you reach full recovery and help establish the seriousness of your claim to insurance companies and juries. It also establishes the link between your injuries and the accident. If you wait to get medical attention, it can negatively impact your health as well as your claim. The insurance company may argue that you were not injured or that your injuries stem from another cause. It is also important to follow your doctor’s instructions for follow-up care. This can help you reach full recovery and mitigate your injuries.Report The Accident
Do not leave the scene of a truck accident. Contact the police after the accident and wait for them to arrive. This is important because a law enforcement officer will be sent to investigate the scene. He or she may record important observations in his or her report. This report will contain information about the truck driver. It may also contain opinions about who the police officer believed was at-fault for the accident.Gather Information
It is important to get as much information about the truck and the driver, including the following:- Name of the truck driver
- Name of the trucking company
- Phone number for the driver and trucking company
- License plate number
- Insurance information for the truck
- United States Department of Transportation number
Talk To Witnesses
It is also important to talk to witnesses who saw the accident. These individuals may be able to provide an objective perspective. Request the following information:- Their name
- Their contact information
- A summary of what they saw
Take Pictures
Pictures can help provide valuable context and preserve important evidence in a truck accident case. Take pictures from a variety of angles, including pictures of the following:- Damage to the truck
- Damage to the vehicle
- Traffic signs near the accident
- Skid marks
- Debris on the roadway
