Truck accidents often lead to serious injuries due to the immense size and weight of commercial vehicles. Annually, the U.S. sees approximately 130,000 injuries in such crashes—about 27% of all vehicle accidents involve a truck. States with high accident volumes include Texas, California, and Florida. Timely action after a crash can preserve your legal rights and help secure compensation from negligent parties.
Although commercial trucks have to meet federal safety standards, recent statistics show that nearly 130,000 individuals are injured in truck accidents each year. Nearly 27 percent of all car crashes in the US involve at least one truck. The states with the most truck accidents include Texas, California, and Florida, where more than 2,500 fatal crashes occurred in 2017.
If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a truck accident, you have the right to get compensation from the driver and trucking company at fault.
After a truck accident, the highest priority for you and your family is to get medical treatment for any injuries and go through a thorough examination to make sure there’s no internal injuries or brain injury. Apart from that, they need to take certain other actions to increase the odds of successfully suing the guilty party for the accident.
1. Get Immediate Medical Treatment After a Truck Accident
Seeking prompt medical attention after a truck accident is crucial. Timely treatment not only ensures your safety but also creates an official record of your injuries—essential for any injury claim. In states like Florida, you may be required to receive treatment within 14 days to remain eligible for compensation.
Another important reason to get treatment soon after an accident is that in some states, such as Florida, there is a 14-day provision for personal injuries. You should get treatment within the time period otherwise you can’t get compensation for injuries from the insurance company.
You should get treatment even if you have not been seriously injured. Some injuries don’t become evident until a few weeks after an accident. Time is of the essence when it comes to injuries. Not getting treated soon after the accident will make it difficult to get compensation from the party at fault.
2. Take Pictures
2. Take PicturesIf possible, take photographs of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and visible injuries. Visual evidence strengthens your case and helps accurately document the incident—especially if access to the scene is later restricted.
3. Contact the Police
Always call the police after a truck collision, regardless of injury severity. The resulting report captures objective details—such as vehicle positions, driver statements, and environmental conditions—that are invaluable for legal and insurance purposes. Provide your observations factually and avoid speculation.
The police report will serve as an official account of the accident. The report will contain important information that can influence the case. This includes information about the weather, road conditions, and condition of the vehicle at the time of the accident. You should tell the police officer exactly what caused the accident. However, don’t guess, speculate, or make assumptions. If you are not injured, tell the officer you are not sure about your injury instead of saying no to the officer.
4. Preserve Items in the Car
Retrieve and preserve any onboard data such as dashcam footage or black box recordings before your vehicle is removed. These recordings can reveal critical insights into the accident—such as speed, braking, and driver behavior—and serve as compelling proof.
5. Keep a Record of Accident-Related Documents
Keep all documentation related to the incident—medical bills, repair estimates, police reports, and expense receipts. A well-organized file helps clearly illustrate the accident’s impact and supports your claim during settlement negotiations or trial proceedings.
Keeping a record of the documents is crucial. The documents can be presented in the court as evidence against the guilty party. The documents will highlight the extent of the injury, losses, and other circumstances surrounding the truck accident. This can positively influence the outcome of the case.
6. Never Speak to Insurance Company or the Defendant
Do not discuss the particulars of your crash with the opposing party’s insurance provider without legal representation. Their goal is generally to minimize payouts, so verbal statements—even those made casually—can undermine your claim. If contacted prematurely, direct them to your attorney.
Ask the lawyer about how to best respond to queries of the insurance company’s representative. Better yet, you should let your lawyer speak on your behalf.
7. Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney
7. Contact an Experienced Truck Accident AttorneyContacting a specialized truck accident attorney early can make a significant difference. Experts in the field know how to:
- Conduct independent investigations
- Gather and preserve evidence
- Consult with accident reconstruction specialists
- Hold the trucking company and driver accountable
A lawyer’s guidance ensures procedural compliance and increases your chances of fair compensation.
Getting the help of a professional truck accident attorney will significantly increase the chances of a successful outcome of a truck accident case. The attorney will guide you on how to meet the legal formalities surrounding the case. An experienced and reliable attorney found on TruckAccidentAttorneyNetwork.org will carry out an independent investigation to know the details of the accident. The attorney will know what kind of evidence to collect that will have a positive bearing on your case.
What seems to be a trivial matter could make a significant difference in court. So, the attorney will take note of every little detail to make a strong case against the driver at-fault. Look for an attorney with solid experience in fighting truck collision cases. Experienced attorneys have the legal expertise required to understand the nuances of truck accident claim cases. This will greatly increase the odds of a positive outcome of the court case.