Accidents involving tractor trailers and other vehicles cause some of the most serious injuries on the road. A tractor trailer can weigh over 75,000 pounds when loaded. A passenger vehicle generally weighs 3,500 pounds or less. Should a tractor-trailer collide with a car, the weight difference between the two makes it very difficult to avoid injury. Here are the steps you need to take immediately to deal with a tractor trailer collision if it ever happens to you.
After the Accident
After being in any kind of accident, especially one involving a tractor trailer, you may feel confused or disoriented. This is completely understandable. It’s important to try to remain as calm as possible. The immediate first step is to determine whether or not any injuries have been sustained. Take note of any emergency situations that may have resulted from the accident, such as a fire or gas leak. Contact emergency medical and police personnel, making sure to provide as much detail as possible when answering their questions so they can be fully prepared to help upon arrival.
Document
As soon as all physical needs have been taken care of, try to document what happened. Write down as much as can be remembered. Do this when the accident is fresh in your mind. Waiting for an extended period of time can make it easier to forget important details.
Medical Evaluation
Anyone involved in an accident with a tractor trailer should be evaluated by a medical professional, even if they don’t believe they’ve been hurt. Many injuries experienced by truck accident victims are not immediately apparent. A physician’s evaluation will be important information for a personal injury claim.
Report Accident
After a tractor trailer collision, you should contact an experienced attorney, particularly if serious injuries have been sustained. At Tate Law Group, we have many years of experience in obtaining just compensation for individuals involved in tractor trailer collisions. We work diligently to gather all of the facts pertaining to the cause of the accident and any other necessary details or influential factors. Especially during this stressful time, it is reassuring to know that you have someone on your side. After speaking with us, the next step is to contact your insurance company and report the accident. It is important not to make any statements to the insurance company that represents the truck driver or their company.
Talk to Us
When the truck driver is at fault, the insurance adjuster representing the trucking company will contact those involved in the accident. They will try to get a statement from everyone involved. This could also involve a request for the injured party – you – to sign a medical authorization request form. They may also try to provide a quick settlement offer. Understand that representatives from the trucking company are looking out for themselves and their clients; that is their job. They are working to limit any possible financial damage the accident could cause the trucking company. Do not sign anything provided by the trucking company’s insurance representative without consulting a personal injury attorney first.
Legal Options
Most people don’t regularly deal with the legal complexities of accidents, so the process may become understandably overwhelming if you do not have a qualified attorney by your side. Here at Tate Law Group, we are aware of the legal rights you have if you have been involved in a tractor trailer collision. We will help you obtain all of the compensation you are due under the law.
The Bottom Line
Tractor trailer collisions happen too often for anyone’s liking. Dealing with the aftermath is made much easier when qualified legal professionals are involved. Trucking companies maintain important records such as driver logbooks, truck maintenance records, and more. This information may never be seen if you do not hire an experienced personal injury attorney who can conduct an investigation. You should not have to suffer because of a truck driver’s negligence.
Rest assured
If you have been involved in an accident with a tractor trailer, don’t hesitate to call us. Here at Tate Law Group, we have dealt with countless tractor trailer collision cases and can help you learn how to deal with tractor trailer collisions if it ever happens to you. We are dedicated to aggressively pursuing valid claims in order to make sure the compensation you receive is what you deserve. We understand that you can lose many things as a result of a tractor trailer collision, including physical abilities and money due to lost time at work and medical expenses. Our personal injury lawyers are committed to doing whatever it takes in order to make your life easier after your accident. Contact us today to learn more.