What To Do Following A Truck Accident
Truck accidents are very stressful situations that can leave you in a panic. Whether it’s on the scene of the accident or during the follow-up process after the accident, you may wonder what it is you need to do. With that said, we will cover these steps in this article to help you in case you find yourself in this unfortunate situation in the future, or if you are currently in the follow-up stages of a truck accident.
What You Need To Do At The Scene Of An Accident
Get safe and contact the authorities - Let’s first talk about what you need to do at the scene of the accident. First and foremost, make sure you get yourself to a safe spot away from the traffic of the road. Next, you need to call 911 immediately. Once the emergency authorities arrive, seek medical treatment. You may receive treatment on the scene, or you may be transported to a hospital if necessary. Regardless, always get checked out by a medical professional if you were involved with any kind of accident.
Gather and exchange information - If you are uninjured and able to stay on the scene, gather information about the parties involved. In the case of a truck accident, you will be dealing with the trucking company. Not only do you want to make sure you have the truck company’s name and information, but make sure that you exchange information with the truck driver. Oregon truck accident law allows you to sue more than one entity in a single accident. Ensure that you report all of the facts to the police on the scene. If there are witnesses to the accident, make sure that they report what they saw to the proper authorities.
Take pictures – If possible, take pictures of the accident. This should include damages to your vehicle, the truck and any injuries that occurred. These pictures will help provide substantial evidence to support your side of the story when it comes to the legal process.
What You Need To Do AFTER A Truck Accident
Truck accidents tend to be very serious accidents that often lead to major injuries. Whenever you are dealing with a serious injury, it’s always a good idea to contact a personal injury attorney. There are so many components involved in these cases, including medical bills, ongoing treatment analysis, and lost wages just to name a few.
A personal injury attorney will ensure that all of the facts are laid out to tell your side of the story. Most importantly, your attorney will fight for you against the aggressive insurance companies that often represent trucking companies. Unfortunately, many of these insurance companies will do whatever it takes to avoid paying out a settlement. An experienced personal injury attorney will know how to handle these companies so that you can move on with the legal process in a fair and just matter.
Preparing A Truck Accident Claim
Preparing and submitting a truck accident claim is an important step of the legal process. Keep in mind, Oregon truck accident law is fairly complex. Again, this is why we recommend that you bring in an experienced truck accident lawyer who will know how to properly submit this claim. Here are some of the things that your lawyer will prepare for a truck accident claim:
- Details of the trucking logs
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- The truck driver’s driving records
- The safety records related to the trucking company
- Cell phone records
- Analysis of the truck (if the truck was defective somewhere, your suit would go against the truck manufacturer)
Contact a Committed Oregon Truck Accident Attorney Today!
If you were the victim of a truck accident here in the state of Oregon, contact us today for a free case evaluation. You can also reach us directly at: 1-800-285-8678. Our team of highly skilled personal injury attorneys will ensure that your truck accident case receives the kind of expert support and guidance that is needed to help you receive the compensation that you deserve.