Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, no matter how careful of a driver you are. For victims of an accident involving a truck, the aftermath can be substantially worse compared to a car-on-car collision. Therefore, if you are the victim of a truck accident causing bodily injury, you need to know exactly what to do and who to call to ensure you are taken care of both medically and legally.
Below are some straightforward tips every truck accident victim needs to take from Wojcik Law's highly experienced personal injury lawyers and legal staff. They have helped hundreds of people successfully navigate the legal issues that are caused by truck accidents and assist victims and their families in receiving compensation for the mental and physical anguish they experienced. Keep reading to find out more.
Stay at the Scene and Get to Safety
It is essential to stay at the scene of the collision, even if you are the victim. Attempting to drive away after an accident is a serious offense and diminishes your chances of receiving compensation. If at all possible, pull your vehicle off the road to a safe area; if your automobile is too damaged, you can safely exit it and get to a safe place without causing further damage to yourself. If you have been injured, do so.
Take a Moment and Check for Injuries
Following an accident, you will most likely have a lot of adrenaline pumping through your body; this can affect the decisions that you may make in the next moments. Take a second to pull yourself together and try to calm down; it will allow you to get your thoughts together. Once you have taken a second, ensure you immediately check for injuries. Even if you have only minor injuries that are visible, it is crucial that you still move very carefully. The high amounts of adrenaline can mask certain external and internal injuries.
Don't Move if You're Injured
If you suspect that your head or spine has been injured, do not move unless you are in immediate danger. Wait for paramedics to arrive to stabilize you or anyone in the vehicle with you that has been injured. Driving with an injured head or spin opens you up to the possibility of causing serious, life-altering, and potentially fatal complications. Wait for the professionals to come and assist you.
Contact Emergency Services
If you or anyone has been injured, you suspect the negligence of another party caused the accident, the road is blocked, or the property has been damaged, call 9-11 immediately. You need to report all truck accidents, no matter how serious, to the police so that you have an official report recorded. In Illinois, each driver involved in an Illinois traffic crash must file a crash report if the collision caused a death, bodily injury, or more than $1,500 of property damage when all drivers are insured.
What Should You Do if You've Been Involved in a Hit and Run Truck Accident?
When involved in a hit-and-run accident, the instinct for many victims is to try and stop the fleeing truck. While you may have this impulse, don't do it. Chasing the negligent party has the potential to create further damage to bystanders, motorists, and yourself. You will also be guilty of fleeing the scene of the accident. If you were the victim of a hit and run and can safely do so, obtain the following:
The make and model of the truck
Any colors, logos, or names on the body of the truck
The trucks license number
Any information you can provide to identify the fleeing truck can be beneficial for police reports, in turn helping your lawyer build a strong case. The best way to initiate the search for the fleeing truck is to immediately contact 911 to obtain help for you and anyone else who has been injured and start the search for the car and driver.
You may be a bit disoriented after the accident and unable to obtain any visual information about the negligent party; therefore, if you can safely do so, speak with any witnesses of the accident. Others may have noticed details that you have missed that can be extremely beneficial in bringing the truck driver to justice.
Collect Data
When it comes to a truck accident causing bodily harm, information is king. You want to collect as much information as possible while you're still on the scene of the accident. The information you gather will help your case substantially while uncovering who is to blame for the accident. Data you should collect includes:
The Other Driver Involved in the Accident
Insurance details
Full name and address
Phone number
Driving license number
In the case of a commercial vehicle, make a note of the company details
If the driver is not the registered owner, get the owner's details
Driving Conditions
Is it raining
Are the roads icy or slushy
Missing road signs
Damaged road
Take Photos
Take photos of the accident area from various angles
Photograph any damage to your vehicle and others involved
Take pictures of damaged personal belongings
Witness Information
Make a note of their names and numbers
Ask if they would be willing to be a witness for you
Listen to any information they can provide from their point of view of the accident
Never Admit Liability or Accept Any Offers from Insurance Reps
After an accident, you will have a lot going through your head, debilitating your ability to think clearly. Ensure that you keep to the facts you know and do not admit responsibility or apologize for the accident. Acknowledging responsibility can diminish your case for compensation and open you up to a world of future legal problems. Instead, only discuss the accident details with emergency services and legal advisors to help limit liability.
Additionally, following an accident, the negligent party's legal teams or insurance providers will get straight to work to get ahead of everything and minimize the damages they have to compensate for. These sharks will dive in and take advantage of the fact you were just involved in an accident to offer you a lowball offer to "make everything go away." Do not agree to anything before talking with your legal representative.
Contact Wojcik Law: A Personal Injury Lawyer in Chicagoland
The sooner you contact a personal injury lawyer to file your claim, the better. While the statute of limitations in Illinois for filing a personal injury claim is two years, the sooner you contact an attorney, the better your chance of winning maximum compensation and moving on from the incident.
Wojcik Law has the team, resources, and experience to get down to the facts, build a strong case, and get you the compensation you and your loved ones deserve. So if you have been involved in a truck accident causing bodily injury, don't hesitate to contact the respected, knowledgeable, and professional personal injury lawyers at Wojcik Law.