Some of the most horrifying accidents on the road are likely to be those involving trucks, simply because of the sheer size and speed that these large commercial vehicles can achieve. It is common for people who are involved in an accident with a truck to sustain extensive and severe injuries that require a long time to heal, if ever. It is also common for these accidents to result in a total loss of the car that was hit. If you or a loved one have been involved in a truck accident, one of the smartest things you can do is talk to a Nashville truck accident attorney.
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Why Do I Need an Accident Attorney?
This is a valid question and you may feel that you can conduct all negotiations with the other parties and their insurance successfully with a favorable result. However, when you are dealing with pain and must devote your time to recovering your health, you are likely not at your best when it comes to negotiating with the army of lawyers that both the trucking company and the insurance will have at their side. Even out the odds and get a skilled truck accident attorney to help fight for your legal rights. Here are five steps to take after the accident.
Call 911
Once you check out your injuries and those of your passengers, call 911. Request an ambulance if needed and get the police to the scene. They will conduct an investigation into the accident and prepare a report. Avoid talking too much and keep your answers short and courteous. You do not want to risk incriminating yourself. Get a copy of the report for your lawyer and for the insurance company.
Exchange Information
Get all pertinent information from the truck driver including their contact details, driver’s license and insurance numbers, and the make, model, year, and license plate of the truck. Ask them if they work for a trucking company and get that contact information as well.
Document the Scene
Take out your phone and take pictures of your injuries, of the damage to the vehicles, and of their position on the road. Photograph anything you believe contributed to the collision such as debris on the road, traffic signs, poor road conditions, too much vegetation, or others. If there are any witnesses, record their testimonies and get their contact information should you need to get in touch with them when you file a claim. When you get home, write down everything so that you will not forget any important details.
Get Medical Attention
If you are severely injured, rush to the emergency room and get treated right away. Otherwise, get a full medical checkup to verify that there are no internal injuries or others you might not have noticed. Make sure your medical records show the relationship between the injuries you sustained and the accident. Follow all of your doctor’s orders, including therapies, medications, and other treatments.
Contact the Insurance Company
It is important to let the insurance company know about the accident as soon as you can. As with the police, avoid explaining too much. You do not want the insurance company to think that you are the one liable for the accident. Also, do not agree to sign any documents until your attorney has had a chance to go over them. The insurance company may pressure you to accept an offer that will be too low to cover your medical expenses and other losses. Also, your attorney will help you decide whether it is in your best interests to file a lawsuit against the truck driver and the trucking company