Knowing what to do after a truck accident can make a major difference in your case outcome. You need to take steps at the scene and make connections with medical and legal professionals as soon as possible.
A Houston truck accident lawyer can give you critical guidance and take your case through the process with efficiency and skill.
Collect Evidence at the Scene
Call the authorities to the accident site so they can make an official report. Your attorney can access the report when building your case, and these official documents often provide important evidence. Be sure to get names, badge numbers, and precinct assignments from responding officers.
Get contact, insurance, and registration information from the truck driver and all others involved in the crash. Note any other characteristics relevant to the truck’s operation or ownership, such as an identification number or company name.
Document contact details from witnesses, too. Ask them to send you a description of the accident as soon as possible via email or text.
Take photos of the full accident scene. Snap locations of traffic or security cameras. Get images of the vehicles’ locations and damage. Cover the road conditions, noting potholes, debris, or other elements that could have contributed to the crash. Capture traffic signals as well.
Get Medical Care After a Truck Accident
Going for swift medical care is a critical step after a truck accident. Truck crashes are often violent, and victims often require emergency care. If you are fortunate enough to leave the scene without an ambulance, you must still get to a doctor within a few hours.
The symptoms of some serious injuries, such as brain or internal organ bleeding, can take time to show. Fast care prevents additional damage, potentially saving your life or increasing the possibility of a full recovery.
The same applies to less life-threatening injuries. Walking on a fractured bone or simply moving after a back or neck injury can increase debilitation and lengthen recovery time.
Having your injuries documented and treated also protects your accident claim. An at-fault party could point to your delayed care, not the initial crash, as the reason for your condition or claim you inflated the severity of your injuries after realizing the potential for compensation. Prompt care helps avoid these unnecessary risks.
Connect With a Truck Accident Lawyer
Reaching out for help from a Houston truck accident attorney is the next step to take after a truck accident. We can explain what a personal injury claim in Texas is and review your situation to see if you have grounds for pursuing one. We offer free case reviews, so you do not have to worry about costs.
Our team knows how to investigate truck accidents to identify the negligent party and find evidence to support your claim. We have a full understanding of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) policies all truck operators, companies, mechanics, inspectors, and cargo loaders must comply with, and will expose any violations that demonstrate the respective party’s negligence.
A fast connection supports the evidence-gathering process. Witness accounts are more reliable when documented early. Physical evidence is also more accessible, and camera footage is more likely to be intact.
Your attorney can also send an evidence preservation letter to ensure safekeeping of the truck’s black box data, which could hold information to strengthen your case.
Watch Your Words
Saying the wrong thing is what not to do after a truck accident. Unfortunately, it is easy to make mistakes, so choose your words carefully in the aftermath.
When you exchange information with others involved, keep your comments factual and brief. Do not admit fault or even offer a general heartfelt “I’m sorry about all this.” Do not understate your injuries. Just say you will be seeking medical care.
You do not have to, and should not, speak to the other party’s insurance representatives. They could misinterpret or twist what you say and use those comments to place blame on you.
If you report the accident to your own insurance company before speaking to a lawyer, only give the facts of the accident–location, time, and date. Your attorney can handle further discussions.
Avoid commenting about the accident on social media, and be careful with any social media posts. The at-fault party’s representatives will look for any evidence to counter your injury claims, and posts and pictures can work against you.
Filing a Claim
For the chance to fight for justice through a trial, you must file your injury claim with the court. An attorney knows what to do after a truck accident, and if you enter a fast legal partnership, they can handle all filing duties.
Per Chapter 16 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, victims have two years to file the claim.
Many truck accident cases resolve without ever going to court. Representatives for the opposing sides engage in negotiations to come to a settlement agreement. Once victims accept the settlement, the case is over.
Though common, settlements are not guaranteed, and some cases demand a trial. Get a case review even if you think the deadline has passed. Some situations provide grounds for an extension.
The timeline for a personal injury lawsuit is typically longer than the time required to settle, and your attorney will work to make negotiations productive.
If a trial is necessary to get justice, we will provide exceptional and aggressive representation at all proceedings. In either scenario, you can count on us to fight for the highest compensation available.
After a Truck Accident, Put Your Case in Our Capable Hands
When you partner with Lowe Law after a truck accident, you put yourself in the best position to see a favorable case outcome. Our reviews show that our team fights hard for clients, treating them with respect throughout the battle.
We know what to do after a truck accident and will manage your case from beginning to end, working to get you justly compensated for your losses.
