What To Consider Legally If You've Had A Car to Truck Accident

Disclaimer: The material presented in the article below should only be considered as a general overview regarding vehicle accident. Should you, or anyone you know, find yourself in this situation, it’s best that you speak to a vehicle accident attorney immediately. They can help you decide on what the best legal actions are to take.

You don’t wake up one day and expect to crash your car into a more significant vehicle like a truck. There are many ways to avoid an auto accident, but once one happens, you should know what to do and what questions you may need to ask the other person involved to make your claim. This checklist will help you know what to do after a car accident and questions to ask. You can be stressed, in shock or confused on what to do next. However, you need to remember that your next actions after you’ve crashed your car into a truck are vital and essential. Whatever you’ll do for the next few coming minutes, hours and days will considerably affect the outcome and may result in severe consequences as well. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to help prevent a lawsuit or mitigate your losses. Here are what you need to consider legally if you’ve had a car to a truck accident. However, you need to remember that your next actions after you’ve crashed your car into a truck are vital and essential. Whatever you’ll do for the next few coming minutes, hours and days will considerably affect the outcome and may result in severe consequences as well. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to help prevent a lawsuit or mitigate your losses. Here are what you need to consider legally if you’ve had a car to a truck accident.

Assess For Injuries

The very first thing that you should do after crashing your car into a truck is check if you’re injured, make sure everyone is okay. If anyone’s been injured, immediately call medical authorities. Also, if you’re an untrained medical personnel, don’t touch or move the injured, unless they’re in imminent danger.

Seek Medical Attention

You should get yourself checked right after the accident, even if you don’t feel anything. A car colliding with a truck can subject you, and anyone inside your vehicle, into tremendous forces that may cause injuries. Some injuries may not immediately show, and a checkup can help identify any hidden injury.

You should also remember that insurance companies won’t accept claims if you don’t have a medical certificate and don’t get checked immediately. Don’t forget to keep any prescriptions, receipts, and medical bills.

Contact The Police

No matter how small the accident you think maybe, never settle things between you and the other party. The safest thing that you can do is call the police immediately, and give them your complete and factual statement of how things happened. Remember to be honest, but never become emotional or interpret the other party’s actions.

Reasons to Call the Police:

The law requires you to call the police – Failing to call the police may result in an additional fine, especially if somebody is injured, you’re blocking traffic, or have damaged property.

A police report can help form liability – There may be a chance that even if you’ve crashed your car into the truck, the accident is not your fault. And a police report can help determine who’s at fault.

A police report would protect you from fraud. – There’ll be a tendency that a driver would use you to file a fraudulent insurance claim. The accident might have been staged, and calling the police will help you detect if it is.

Call A Lawyer

If you’ve been in an accident, call an accident lawyer as soon as you can. The lawyer will help you figure out your next steps, and guide you through the process after the accident. When talking to your lawyer, remember that you should be honest, give them your full details, even if you think you’re at fault.

Exchange Information

Make sure you get the information of every driver involved in the accident.

Get the following information:

  • Names, addresses, phone numbers, & driver’s license.
  • Make, Model, Make and License Numbers of Vehicles Involved.
  • Insurance companies, insurance policy numbers, and insurance agents’ contacts.

Remember don’t give away your social security number and let them take pictures of any of your IDs.

Document The Scene Of The Accident

Make sure to get pictures of all the vehicles involved in the accident. Also, take pictures of the area and surrounding area of the accident, include images of objects that may have helped cause the crash. Lastly, if you have a dashcam, make sure to keep your recordings.

Never Talk To Other People Except for Your Lawyer and The Police

Insurance companies and trucking companies want to save money as much as possible; they don’t want to pay you the full amount. The representatives will try to get to you as soon as they can and try to talk to you and convince you to settle for less. Remember avoid speaking to these people, and give your statement only to the police.

Conclusion

Nobody enjoys crashing their car into a truck, but whatever happens, you need to be able to think straight. Remember to check for injuries, contact an accident lawyer, see a doctor, contact the authorities, exchange information with people involved in the accident, document the area, and don’t talk to people except for the police and a lawyer. Just follow these things, and hopefully, you’ll be fine. Whoever is at fault for the accident, just keep your calm and keep a level head.

Dianna Charles

Dianna Charles is a promising young law enthusiast that hopes to bring her youthful spirit in her field. She tries to add a refreshing modern take to topics on the legal world that people can learn from. Dianna enjoys her free time with friends and family, and loves to cook for them.