When you are involved in a tractor trailer accident, it’s critical to make sure you follow certain steps to protect yourself and your potential insurance claim. Our tractor trailer accident attorneys at Thomas, Conrad & Conrad outline three important steps to take after a tractor trailer accident that can help to ensure you get maximum compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages.
1. Call 911
After any accident, it’s vital to seek medical attention right away, even if you don’t think you are injured. Many injuries take time to manifest themselves, and you want to make sure that your physical condition at the time of the accident is documented. Check to see if your passengers are injured, and if you are able, talk to any other possible victims of the trailer tractor accident. If possible, leave your vehicle where it is and stay at the scene and wait for first responders to arrive.
2. Collect Evidence
Try to collect as much evidence as possible, including:
- The truck driver’s name, company name, contact information, insurance information, license plate and commercial driver’s license number. It’s also important to get the details about the make, model and year of the truck and the type of cargo it was carrying.
- Photos or video of the damage of all vehicles involved and evidence of road conditions, skid marks, damaged guardrails, signs and traffic signals. Make sure to take pictures of injuries that have been sustained by anyone who was hurt in the accident.
Get a copy of the police report documenting the accident. If it’s not available on scene, ask officers for their contact information so you can pick it up later.
3. Contact A Tractor Trailer Accident Attorney
Tractor trailer accidents can cause many types of traumatic and catastrophic injuries that may last a lifetime. Do not give any statements to trucking company or insurance company representatives or sign anything before speaking to a qualified tractor trailer accident lawyer. Insurance companies will often try to offer minimal amounts of compensation or deny claims altogether, which can leave you stuck with costly medical bills and other accident-related expenses. Once you’ve given them a statement, they may try to use your words against you and claim that you were at fault for the accident.
A tractor trailer accident attorney will review the evidence surrounding the incident and advise you on the most effective course of action to achieve a positive outcome for your case. Claims and lawsuits involving trucking companies can be overwhelming, time-consuming and frustrating. A knowledgeable tractor trailer attorney will give you the legal support you need, fight for your rights and take some of the weight off your shoulders.
If you’ve been injured or have lost a loved one in a tractor trailer accident, call Thomas, Conrad & Conrad at 610-867-2900 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Our seasoned legal team will fight for your rights to ensure you get the maximum compensation you deserve.