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The moments following a serious truck accident are often frightening, stressful and hectic. It’s normal not to be thinking clearly. However, if possible, there are several things you can do that may make your recovery much easier down the road. It helps to know ahead of time what to do after a truck accident.
To best position yourself to obtain the compensation you need to move on, it’s essential that you follow these steps.
Of course, your safety and well-being are top priorities. Be sure to seek immediate medical attention first if you or your passengers are injured after a truck accident. Also, a truck accident attorney can help you address the points below throughout their investigation.
While still at the truck accident scene, you should take the following steps:
Your medical needs are your first priority, and it’s possible you may be unable to to take these steps due to your injuries. If that’s the case, you may need to contact a truck accident attorney at Pierce Skrabanek. Our attorneys will obtain this information in the course of our thorough investigation. We have experience taking the work off your plate, so you can focus on your recovery.
Do not admit fault to anyone, and do not give any statements without speaking to an attorney. This especially includes the other party, as well as their insurance company or insurance agents. Also, do not flee the accident scene under any circumstances. You may be committing a crime if you do so.
An essential step is to report the accident to the local police. Most states require that you report a serious accident immediately and wait for the police and first responders at the scene of the wreck. Reporting the accident is critical, particularly if someone has been injured. The police will immediately draft a report of the accident. Never leave the scene of an accident without talking to the police first.
When talking to the police or highway patrol, you must be truthful. However, it is also important not to make comments admitting fault, apologizing, or implying that the insurance companies or employer will cover the costs. Oftentimes, it can be difficult to determine fault after an accident. Making comments, which might not even be factually correct, can detrimentally affect your case.
Even if you believe your injuries are minor, it’s vital that you meet with your doctor as soon as possible. Many truck accident injuries may not be immediately apparent, especially head trauma and internal injuries.
Seeing a doctor will also ensure that your injuries are documented, which may help your attorney build a truck accident case on your behalf. Be sure you keep all medical bills and any other documentation related to your treatment.
You should notify your insurance company immediately if you’ve been in an accident with an 18-wheeler, or any other vehicle, for that matter. Provide the basic facts, but remember not to admit fault or give a statement to any insurance company until you’ve spoken to a lawyer. Once you hire an attorney, your attorney will deal with insurance companies.
Be careful when talking to insurers. If you’ve been injured, they may offer you a settlement to compensate you for your medical expenses. Do not accept it. The verdicts and settlements our truck accident attorneys can obtain are frequently much higher than a settlement offer from the company.
Insurance companies aren’t on your side. The less they pay you, the more money they make. They are multi-billion dollar corporations.
Your attorney won’t let a company take advantage of you. A lawyer’s job is to stand up for you and act in your best interests at all times. That’s why you need to contact Pierce Skrabanek if you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Texas.
Seeing a doctor involves more than getting the medical treatment you need. It also means officially documenting the injuries the crash caused. Such information will be vital when an attorney is building your case for compensation.
Failing to see a doctor after a truck accident can seriously affect your ability to successfully pursue a truck accident claim in the future. Here are several reasons to get medical attention after any truck accident you’ve been in:
So, not only is your health at stake, but seeking medical attention early will help lay the groundwork for any upcoming legal action.
It is also crucial to contact an attorney immediately after the accident so that they can begin investigating the accident. An attorney can preserve the evidence and ensure that experts are given an opportunity to inspect and examine it before it is destroyed. Such critical evidence concerns the physical state of the truck, the driver’s logs, maintenance logs, and company procedures.
An attorney can also obtain:
An attorney can also help find out if the driver is unlicensed or has invalid certifications. The attorneys at Pierce Skrabanek have extensive experience providing legal guidance for those who have been injured in a truck accident. They can help advise you on what to do after a truck accident, so you don’t miss any important filing deadlines. For more information regarding truck accidents and advice on what to do after you have been in an accident, please contact us at 832-690-7000. You can also contact us here to fill out a consultation request.
If you were seriously injured in a truck accident, we know that hiring an attorney is something you wish you never had to do. Many people who call us are hesitant about getting a lawyer. We understand, but we want to tell you why hiring an attorney may be the best way for you to get past this accident.
Filing a truck accident lawsuit may be the only way to get compensated for the financial havoc your accident has caused. Our attorneys always seek the maximum amount of compensation possible. While it can’t change what has happened to you, it can improve your life going forward.
Our lawyers can seek compensation for:
A consultation with a truck accident attorney at Pierce Skrabanek is always free and without obligation. We want to tell you what we can do to help you in this tough time. Call us today or contact us online to discuss your options.
Understanding what to do after a trucking accident is critical for the outcome of your case. You may need the expertise of a lawyer to help you through the process. At Pierce Skrabanek, we have the knowledge and experience necessary to handle your truck accident and answer your questions.
Our reputation for success has garnered several awards, including induction into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and SuperLawyers by Texas Monthly Magazine. Contact us today at 832-690-7000 if you or a loved one need assistance with a truck accident case. We are here to ensure you get the recovery you deserve.
One of the main causes of trucking accidents is distracted driving. A common example of this is texting while driving. However, any action that takes the driver’s attention off the road may be considered a distraction, including changing the radio, drinking a beverage, or even talking to a passenger.
Other common causes include driver fatigue, improperly loaded cargo, driving under the influence, and improper training. An experienced Houston truck accident lawyer can help determine the exact cause of an accident as well as the corresponding damages amounts.
An expert witness is a professional who is specially trained to provide reliable information in court. Expert witnesses may sometimes be necessary in commercial truck accident cases. For instance, they may be called upon to determine how a crash occurred, analyze the extent of an injury, or help with the calculation of monetary damages.
As mentioned, after a truck accident, an insurance company will try to resolve the matter by offering a settlement amount. However, many truck accidents involve injuries that are so severe and permanently debilitating that standard insurance doesn’t cover all the long-term expenses.
In such cases, legal action is necessary to help the victim recover all the additional costs, including pain and suffering, lost wages, and other amounts. The experienced truck accident lawyers at Pierce Skrabanek can provide skillful representation to ensure the victim is fully compensated. Contact us at 832-583-1862 for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation to determine your next steps.
We know how tough things can get after an injury. That’s why we make your struggles our fight. With over three decades of combined experience, we’ve been the reliable allies our clients need, tackling financial hardships, physical pain, and major life changes. Our track record of successful verdicts and settlements speaks to our team’s passion and dedication to helping clients get the support and justice they need.
Summary: Paul obtained a $2 million settlement for an 18-wheeler driver who was rear-ended by another 18-wheeler driver in Louisiana. The claims were against the Defendant’s 18-wheeler driver as well as the company that employed him. The Plaintiff underwent two surgeries as a result of the collision. The case settled after numerous depositions to the satisfaction of the client.
Summary: Paul obtained a $565,000 settlement on behalf of Mary Berryman who was involved in a collision with an 18-wheeler in December 2010. The case was settled out of court at a second mediation the week before trial. Berryman filed suit against Jose Peralta and Scorpion Transport in Dallas County Court alleging that Peralta ran a stop sign and caused a collision with her truck. Peralta and Scorpion alleged that Berryman was in the best position to avoid the collision simply by going around him. Ultimately, Berryman, now 62, suffered a back injury that required her to undergo surgery. Peralta and Scorpion contended that the 62-year-old’s condition was related to a prior incident in 2007 where doctor reports showed herniations in her low back and neck. After the first mediation in the case, the mediator issued a mediator’s proposal, which was rejected by both parties. However, at a second mediation, the week before trial, the Defendants and their insurance carrier paid in excess of the first mediator’s proposal. Paul was the lead attorney on the case.
