Trucks cause major damage in collisions because they are so much bigger than a car. They also cause much more severe injuries. Trucking Companies often times have bogus travel books and fail to maintain the trucks properly. Sometimes they will even hire people with suspended driver’s licenses.
What To Do if You Have Been Injured in a Truck Accident
Many times, a case is won or lost in the moments immediately following a collision. It is important that you understand what to do and what not to do after a truck accident:
Don’t say anything: Comments can often be misconstrued as an admission of fault by the other driver, the police or the insurance company representatives. This can create a tremendous hindrance to a successful case.
Gather information: It is important to gather as much information as your injuries will allow. Get names and contact information from the witnesses on the scene. Take pictures of the scene with your camera or cell phone.
Seek medical attention: Make sure everyone on the scene of the accident is all right and call an ambulance if anything seems serious. As soon as possible, seek the attention of a skilled medical practitioner. Even if you do not feel hurt at all, many brain injuries and soft tissue injuries lie dormant at first. A good doctor will be able to discover these hidden injuries and get you the attention your injuries require.
Contact your insurance company: Let the insurance company know about the accident. It is important to be cautious with insurance companies and not to reveal too much before speaking to a lawyer.
Keep detailed records of expenses: It will be important for your case to have detailed information about the medical expenses and costs associated with property damage. Find a place to store all of your receipts from doctors and mechanics.
Contact an attorney: Do not hesitate to contact an attorney as soon as possible after an accident. If you have us on the scene as soon as possible, we will have a better opportunity to talk to witnesses and gather evidence. Call us at 316-269-1414.
Evidence obtained in a timely fashion is a key to successful truck accident claims. Evidence such as black box data and log books are only required to be preserved for six months. After that, evidence is almost always destroyed.
Trucking cases involve numerous laws that are different than for normal vehicles. For example, the USDOT had made it illegal for a trucker to operate a cell phone while in a truck and on the road. There are also rules on additional safety features which may not have been present when the collision occured. Hiring a lawyer that knows how to look for these things can mean the difference between winning and losing your case.
Ray Hodge & Associates proudly represents victims and their families across the state of Kansas, including Wichita, Andover, Derby, Goddard, Haysville, Mulvane, Rose Hill, Newton, El Dorado and Hutchinson. Call today for a free consultation all over the state of Kansas. We have proudly served clients in Sedgwick, Butler, Sumner, Harvey, Kingman and Reno Counties.