When a large truck collides with a smaller vehicle, the scene that results is almost always chaotic. Debris will likely be scattered across the roadway, and traffic may be blocked in both directions until responders can clear the wreckage.
It may be tempting to lose your composure in such a scenario, but it’s important that you stay calm and start gathering evidence to build your personal injury claim. Your statements and actions at the scene and over the weeks that follow could have a major impact on how your case unfolds.
Below are just a few tips to keep in mind after a truck accident:
- Document the Scene
If you didn’t sustain debilitating injuries and you’re able to walk around after the accident, you should do the following before leaving the scene:
- Photograph the wreckage from all angles;
- Gather the names and phone numbers eyewitnesses;
- Obtain the trucker’s employment details and insurance information; and
- Get the names and badge numbers of all responding officers.
- Don’t Admit Fault
Your statements will influence what the responding officer writes in the accident report, so you should avoid apologizing or accepting fault. Try only to provide objective and factual statements about what happened.
- Undergo an Immediate Medical Evaluation
Visit a doctor as soon as possible—preferably on the same day as the accident but certainly no later than 48 hours after. Depending on the types of injuries you sustained, getting prompt medical treatment might improve your prognosis, and it will demonstrate a commitment to mitigating your damages. It will also help your attorney prove causation. If you take your healthcare seriously and following your doctor’s instructions, the insurance company will have one less source of ammunition to use against you.
- Don’t Provide Any Recorded Statements to the Insurance Adjuster
The insurance adjuster may ask you to provide recorded statements at various stages of the claims process. But it’s possible that your statements will be taken out of context to challenge your claim. As such, it’s best to let your lawyer handle this dialogue from day one so you’re not coerced into saying something that brings liability or the severity of your injuries into question.
Call 212-980-6800 for a Free Consultation with a Massachusetts Truck Accident Attorney
If you were hurt in a truck accident through no fault of your own, contact Charnas Law Firm. We will conduct a thorough investigation, interview eyewitnesses, and use all the resources at our disposal to fight for the settlement you deserve.
Attorney Scott Charnas is licensed to practice in both New York and Massachusetts. He has an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell and has won numerous multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts for his clients. Scott is the “Personal Attorney Near Me.”
Call 212-980-6800 today or use our Online Contact Form to set up a free case review with a truck accident lawyer in Massachusetts. If you’re unable to come to our office for the consultation, a member of our team will come to you.