Being involved in a truck accident can be a scary experience. Apart from the trauma and severe injuries that survivors usually suffer, most crashes result in deaths. Collisions with smaller passenger vehicles, pedestrians, and motorcyclists are typically devastating. Since these accidents are a common sight on U.S roads, you never know when disaster may strike. Knowing what to do after a truck accident in Harlingen can be a lifesaver.
Apart from helping guarantee your safety, the steps you take following a truck accident can also help protect your legal rights, especially when someone else is to blame. Texas personal injury laws allow victims of negligence to sue the parties at fault for harm suffered. But to recover compensation, the injured person must present a solid case that puts the other party (defendant) at the center of their injuries and losses.
5 Things You Must Do After a Truck Accident
Through their experience, our Harlingen truck accident attorneys prepared the following guide on what you should do after a truck accident. These steps are crucial to your safety, just as they are to your compensation. You should:
Contact the Local Police Department
In most situations, calling 911 is mandatory, especially in cases where someone is severely injured or killed. Accidents resulting in extensive property damage should also be reported. A dispatcher will route your call to the nearest emergency department, where a team of investigative officers will be sent to assess the scene and carry out investigations. During the call, you should point out your location, the types of vehicles involved, and the state of the parties involved. Such information is crucial to responders. Remember to obtain a copy of the police report before leaving the scene.
Check Yourself for Injuries and Seek Medical Attention
As mentioned earlier, accidents involving trucks can be catastrophic. Unfortunately, some injuries remain hidden and can only be established through a medical evaluation. Some don’t show immediately due to the adrenaline rush that kicks in. If you wait too long, linking your injuries to the accident may be difficult. Insurance companies will use this loophole to deny your claim. Therefore, make it your priority to get checked by your doctor.
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Notify Your Insurance Company
After a Harlingen truck accident, another step you should not forget is notifying your insurance company about the crash. Whether you were a passenger or h, your insurer should be notified to prepare them for a possible claim. By doing so, they get a chance to review the accident and settle you just in time when you need money most. As expected, treatment for catastrophic injuries is usually expensive, and thus, you will need an alternative source of finances. Most insurance companies prefer to settle since it is fast and does not involve a lot of bureaucracy like a court process does.
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Remain at the Scene and Collect Evidence
Again, leaving an accident scene immediately may imply that you are guilty or contributed to the crash. Therefore, it is in your best interests that you remain at the scene until the police arrive, even when the other party is clearly at fault. While at the scene, you can note down crucial details of the accident such as the vehicles involved, insurance information, contact details of persons involved, property damage, and injuries suffered. These will be vital when preparing your case. However, you should only remain at the scene if you are uninjured.
Call an Attorney
When you or your loved one is involved in a truck accident, it is in your best interests that you contact an experienced attorney who handles such cases. The best thing about consulting a lawyer specializing in truck accidents is that they understand how these cases work. To begin with, the trucking industry is highly regulated, and as such, different laws are applied. Knowing how each works and affects your case may be difficult, especially if you are a first-timer in personal injury law. A qualified Harlingen attorney will also serve your best interests and protect your rights against selfish insurance companies after a truck accident.
Contact Our Harlingen Attorneys for Guidance on What to Do After a Truck Accident
This guide is just a sneak preview of what you should do after a truck accident in Harlingen. In the unfortunate event that you or someone you love is injured in a similar accident, don’t hesitate to contact Lone Star Injury Attorneys. Our knowledgeable lawyers will leave nothing to chance when fighting for your rights. Call us today to get started on your injury case.
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