If you’ve been involved in a collision caused by a truck driver, there are a few things you should do at the scene of the truck accident to improve your chances of obtaining compensation when it’s time to file an insurance claim.
Once you’ve taken the steps required to protect your right to a fair settlement or jury verdict, you’ll want to hire an experienced Ponca City truck accident lawyer from BDIW Law. They’ll be able to offer helpful advice and guide you through the legal process.
Don’t Panic
If you’ve been hit by a truck, do your best to remain calm and avoid panicking. What you do in the minutes and hours following a collision could determine whether or not you receive compensation for your injuries and losses, so it’s important to stay level-headed.
Once you’ve taken a moment to collect yourself, make sure your car is in a safe spot. If you’re blocking the flow of traffic, move to the side of the road where it’s safe. Once you’ve done so, take a moment to assess whether or not you need to go to the hospital.
If you’re in severe pain or have a serious injury, call 911 immediately and wait for the ambulance to come. If your injuries aren’t too bad, you can take the following post-accident measures.
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The next step is to call the local police department. They’ll respond to the truck accident scene and ask you and the other driver(s) involved to give statements. Remember, don’t say anything in your statement that could be used to discredit your injuries or claim. Instead, briefly state the facts and don’t apologize for the crash or admit fault.
The police will use the statements and information they gather to file an official report. This report can be used as evidence later on in your case, so it’s important that you contact the police. Their report will add credibility to your claim and help your attorney secure a fair settlement.
Talk to the Truck Driver
Once you’ve given a statement to the police, go over to the truck driver who caused the crash and ask them for their information. Make sure to take down their contact, employment, and insurance information.
If the driver’s negligence was the sole cause of the crash, your attorney might choose to file a claim with their personal auto insurance provider. However, in some situations, the trucking company that employs the driver is found to be responsible for the wreck. That’s why it’s important that you ask for the driver’s personal details and their employer’s information.
Document the Accident Scene
While your attorney may visit the scene of the truck accident to collect evidence later on, it can be incredibly helpful to document the crash scene while it’s still fresh. Use your cell phone to take pictures of the entire scene, including the damage done to both vehicles, damaged signs and nearby objects, and your injuries.
Your attorney can use the photos you take during insurance negotiations or in court to show that your injuries were caused by the accident. An accident reconstructionist can also use photos to determine how the accident occurred and who may have caused it.
Speak to Witnesses
When pursuing compensation for a truck accident, getting perspectives from people who saw the crash occur can be helpful. To strengthen your claim, try to find potential witnesses near the truck accident scene. Ask passersby if they saw or heard the collision and find out if they’d be willing to offer their testimony.
If someone agrees to be a witness, your lawyer can interview them to learn more about the collision. If you end up having to file a lawsuit, your attorney may even ask the witness to provide testimony in court to add another layer of credibility to your case.
Seek Medical Attention
Once you’ve completed the steps to take after a truck accident, make sure to get checked out by a medical professional. Some truck accident injuries can go undiagnosed when collision victims don’t seek treatment.
Even if you aren’t in pain, seeing a physician can help you identify underlying injuries that could develop into serious health issues without timely intervention. Once you’ve been treated, save copies of your medical bills and hand them over to your attorney.
Your lawyer can use your medical bills to recover compensation for the following:
- Doctor’s visits, surgeries, and medical procedures
- Cost of prescription medication
- Ambulance fees
- Cost of physical therapy and assistive devices
- Future medical expenses
Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer
One of the most important things you can do after a truck accident, other than documenting the crash scene and seeking medical treatment, is to hire a skilled lawyer. An attorney who has experience filing truck accident claims and lawsuits will be able to advise you on your best path forward.
They’ll consider all the details of your situation and determine whether filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit would be best for you. Then, once they’ve planned your best course of action, they’ll build a strong case based on the evidence you gathered and their own investigation of the accident.
Don’t Delay Your Case
Hiring an attorney to help with your claim will dramatically improve your chance of receiving fair compensation, but not if you wait too long to do so. That’s because there’s a statute of limitations for truck accident lawsuits in Oklahoma.
Under Oklahoma Statute §12-95, you have two years from the date of the truck crash to submit a civil lawsuit. Filing a suit any later than that will likely bar you from getting the damages you need to cover medical expenses, fix your car, and move on with your life.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Firm Today
Once you’ve done everything you should do at the scene of your truck accident, it’s time to speak with a lawyer and get started on your case. At BDIW Law, we have over 65 years of combined experience pursuing high-value settlements and court verdicts for truck accident victims in Oklahoma.
We have the knowledge, resources, and connections necessary to bring your case to a favorable conclusion. Contact our team today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about how we can assist you in your physical and financial recovery. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
