Every time you merge onto the highway, you’re entering giants’ territory. On some trafficked roads, every fourth vehicle is a semi-truck.
More than one in three truck drivers has experienced a serious accident in their career. Considering that statistic, it’s wise to know what to do if you’re involved in a truck accident.
If you or a loved one is involved in a truck accident, follow these steps to keep yourself and your assets protected from loss.
Truck Accident Causes
Speeding is consistently the leading cause of car accident fatalities. But another contributing factor to truck accidents is the challenge of driving long hours without sleep.
Truck drivers may be expected to work for over 70 hours in an 8-day period. Working for that long is bound to cause sleep deprivation.
Driving drowsy lowers inhibitions and causes delayed motor functions. These side effects of sleep deprivation put everyone on the road in danger, and often cause truck accidents.
Step 1: Get Medical Attention
The first step in any accident is flagging medical professionals. Hailing the attention of the authorities is vital for two reasons.
Prompt medical attention can save lives and reduce the severity of injuries.
Immediate medical care also ensures thorough documentation of all injuries and fair compensation to the parties involved.
Step 2: Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
Hiring truck accident lawyer is vital for any company that wants to retain safe business practices and protect the communities it serves.
Having people on the scene within hours of the accident ensures that you are covering all liability issues and protecting yourself from potentially damaging lawsuits.
By having an attorney representing your company from the start, you’re protected from any false claims.
Having a truck accident lawyer ensures your company correctly documents the scene.
Skid marks should be appropriately documented and not washed away, and no one should clean the scene before conducting a proper investigation.
Truck accident lawyers also interview witnesses while the view is fresh in their minds.
Step 3: When the Insurance Company Calls, Do Not Talk
If you were a truck driver in an accident and receive a phone call from the insurance company, do not take it.
The insurance company usually wants to find out if you have any liability in the accident.
Taking phone calls from the insurance company without having an attorney present can wrongfully put you at fault.
Before talking to the insurance company, speak with your personal attorney. If you are a truck driver, consult your company representatives for advice.
Insurance agents’ jobs depend on minimizing fault. You can lose yourself, or the company you work for money by saying the wrong things.
Consult with the attorney, so the insurance company pays the correct payment to the deserving parties.
Taking the Correct Steps Benefits Everyone Involved
After a truck accident, it’s vital to call the authorities immediately, contact attorneys to arrive on-scene, and heed legal advice throughout the entire legal process.
Following these steps is the best way to protect you or your company from wrongful legal damages.
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