A truck accident probably wasn’t on your bucket list. Figuring out what to do after a truck accident can be extremely confusing. Should you go straight for a check-up or wait for the police? When should you call your insurance company, and do you need a lawyer?
5 Things You Should Do After a Truck Accident
After you’ve moved out of harm’s way, take these five steps to help you stay on the right side of the law and protect your rights after a truck accident.
1. Call the Police
In Indiana, you must report any vehicle accident that leads to injuries or $1,000 or more in property damage. To be safe, it’s better to report any accident just in case.
If possible, you should stay on the accident scene until officers arrive. Be sure to ask for a copy of the police report, as this will be a key piece of evidence in any insurance claims you make later.
2. Collect Information
While waiting for the police, exchange information with the truck driver. Take their driver’s license number, contact details, and the trucking company’s info. Note the truck’s USDOT number. Ask any witnesses present on the scene for their contact information as well.
Take photos of everything that could shed light on how the accident happened: your car, the truck, both vehicles’ position relative to one another, road conditions, traffic signs, etc.
3. See a Doctor
If you need emergency medical treatment, this step jumps to the start of the “what to do after a truck accident” list. However, you should always see a doctor following a truck accident, even if you think you’re lucky enough to have escaped unharmed.
Many people believe they’re fine after an accident, only to discover they have a serious condition like a concussion or internal organ damage. Go for a check-up on the same day and save all your medical records. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions to the letter.
4. Call Your Insurance
Your policy usually states you must call your insurance provider within 24-72 hours after an accident, but be careful about what you say. Stick to the basic facts so you don’t mistakenly say anything that could harm your eligibility for coverage.
If the other side’s insurance company calls you, you’re not under any legal obligation to talk to them. They’re likely trying to trick you into saying something that could undermine your claim. Never accept any settlement offers before consulting a personal injury lawyer.
5. Talk to a Lawyer
Truck accidents often cause devastating injuries with heavy financial impact. When facing years of recovery and possibly a lifetime of reduced ability to work, you need an experienced lawyer to fight for your rights.
Choose a reputable law firm with a proven track record of settling complex truck accident cases. You need a skilled attorney who can analyze your case correctly, help you establish liability, and advocate for your rights when dealing with insurers. Knowing you have an experienced truck accident lawyer on your side is a major stress reducer during an accident claim.
Tabor Law Firm: Fighting for the Rights of Truck Accident Victims Throughout Indiana
Are you dealing with a painful recovery and heavy costs after a truck collision? Not sure what to do after a truck accident has turned your life upside down? Contact us at Tabor Law Firm. Since 1970, we have fought for the rights of injured people and their families.
Call (317) 236-9000 or complete our online form to schedule a free consultation today.
