Getting into an accident with a truck is serious business. Not only could you find yourself facing life-changing injuries, but the financial burden of the accident could have far-reaching impacts. If you find yourself in such a situation, you’ll want to take the following steps to manage the aftermath.
Get Medical Care
The first step you should take after any accident is getting medical care. You may not immediately believe that you need medical care, but it’s never a bad idea to have a doctor look you over. Not only is this the best way to keep yourself safe from injuries that aren’t necessarily obvious, but it will also help to establish the cause of your injuries as you move forward.
Get the Information
Your next step is to get information. Calling the police is a must in this situation, both to officially establish that the incident occurred and so that you can get an official record of what the scene looked like at the time of the accident. You’ll also want to get the name and contact information of the truck driver, as well as his or her insurance information and any relevant information about the company that employs the driver.
Assess Your Situation
One of the most important steps you’ll take after the accident is assessing your personal situation. What kind of injuries do you have? Was anyone else in your vehicle injured? What kind of damage was done to your vehicle, and what are repairs going to cost? Determining how much you’ve lost because of the accident is going to play a huge role in helping you figure out who to contact next.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer
In most cases, working with a truck accident lawyer is the natural final step in dealing with a truck accident. A good lawyer will let you know what kind of legal standing you have and what your odds are of being able to successfully get a judgment against the driver or trucking company. The lawyer will help you deal with the other party’s insurance and will represent you in court. A good lawyer will not only be an expert in legal matters but in helping clients deal with the reality of their lives after an accident.
Handling the aftermath of a truck accident won’t be easy but it is vital that you do so in an organized manner. Take care of your physical needs first and then focus on what you can do to get your life back on track. With the right representation, you can help hold the responsible parties accountable.
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan.
