While doing so can be extremely difficult because of injuries—both emotional and physical—gathering evidence and taking the proper steps to document and report a truck accident in the days following it is imperative. When you are reeling from this major life event, review this overview of what to do after a truck accident.
Seek Medical Care
Whether your injuries are minor or severe, seeking medical care immediately following your accident is one of the most important things that you can do. Not only is medical care necessary for your physical wellbeing, but if you don’t seek medical care quickly, the insurance company may try to argue that you weren’t significantly injured in the accident or that your injuries weren’t related to the crash, and therefore damages don’t need to be paid.
Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
Insurance companies have very specific rules regarding timelines for reporting an accident. While you should never admit fault or give out information you’re unsure about (like the speed that you were traveling at the time of your accident), you should inform your insurance company of the accident within 24 hours of its occurrence. And remember, never sign anything from the insurance company unless you have an attorney review it first.
Hire an Attorney
If you’ve been in a truck accident, you’ll need an attorney. An attorney will play a critical role in a variety of elements of your claim, including collecting evidence and negotiating a settlement amount. If your injuries or losses are severe, don’t forsake the help of a legal professional with familiarity in truck accident claims.
Ensure Evidence is Preserved
What to collect: evidence in a truck accident claim.
- Video footage
- Electronic Control Module (ECM) data
- Truck driver’s logs
- Repair and maintenance reports
If these pieces of evidence are lost or destroyed, your claim may be in jeopardy. Your attorney can help you file a preservation/spoliation letter to ensure that evidence pertinent to your accident is maintained.
Take the First Steps Now
The sooner that you start doing the things above, the better; the more time that passes, the harder it may be to prove your injuries, gather evidence, or get your full settlement amount. To speak with an attorney about your accident and injuries now, call Max Meyers Law PLLC. You can set up your free, no-obligation consultation by dialing now.
