What to Do If You Are Hit by a Semi-Truck: A Comprehensive Guide
Semi-truck accidents can be catastrophic. It can cause physical and emotional shock, damage to one’s properties, and even death. However, knowing what to do after the accident is a step in the right direction, especially if one needs to file a personal injury claim later.
For instance, the person involved in an accident should seek medical evaluation, gather evidence, document injuries, and hire legal representation. This article will explore what the victims of a semi-truck crash should do to guarantee their future safety, security, and financial stability.
Contact a Truck Accident Attorney for Legal Help
After a semi-truck accident, the injured person should contact an attorney specializing in truck accident cases. When hit by a semi-truck, the truck accident attorney can advise the injured person, get the needed paperwork right, and offer guidance on the next steps.
Truck accident attorneys are also well-versed in commercial trucking regulations and legal guidelines. So they can determine if the semi-truck driver was at fault and file a successful claim.
Identify Injuries and Call Emergency Services
The initial moments following a collision can determine the health and financial consequences that will follow. All the parties involved in the collision should examine themselves for injuries. Even when the injuries are slight, it is advisable not to underestimate them. If someone has a severe injury, it is advisable to call the emergency services immediately for first-aid treatment and transportation to the hospital.
An immediate call to the emergency response team also ensures that police and ambulance staff arrive to assess the situation and process the scene if possible. This move protects all the parties and prevents further injury from secondary crashes, especially in high-traffic areas.
Gather Evidence and Exchange Information
Once safety is guaranteed, the next step is to photograph the accident site. Pictures of the cars, state of the roadway, skid marks, and visible injuries provide solid proof of what caused the accident. So, the injured party should collect evidence as soon as possible and save important information that could be lost.
It is also advisable to have the details of the semi-truck driver. This includes license plate numbers, insurance, driver’s licenses, and so on. If there are people who witnessed the accident nearby, the people involved in the accident can collect the contact details. The witness statements could be handy when there is a need to validate the facts of the accident or pursue a claim.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Some injuries are not visible at first but might manifest later. Late diagnosis, for instance, might result in concussions, whiplash, or internal injuries with long-lasting consequences. Visiting the hospital ensures every injury is identified and documented.
Timely medical intervention shields the injured person from financial obligations since the injuries will be associated with the accident for which compensation is sought. Besides, a minor injury might develop into a significant problem or disability and need expensive treatment and rehabilitation.
Life can change in seconds when one is hit by a semi-truck. Unfortunately, the road to recovery requires medical intervention, emotional healing, and finances to facilitate treatment.
Through immediate and thoughtful action, victims can, to a large extent, seek help and protect their rights and interests. They should, therefore, take every step, from contacting the attorney to calling the emergency services, to increase their chances of getting justice.
