According to the Indiana State Police statistics, there were more than 200,900 truck and car accidents in 2023, which increased by 14.38% from 2020. Among those accidents, 30,109 people got injured, which is a surge of 11.2% from the previous year. In addition, fatal crashes, including deaths, were up by 1.1% to 824.
These statistics are just a few examples of how severe truck accidents are. If you or any of your loved ones are involved in a truck accident, it’s essential to know what to do (and not to do) in order to protect your legal rights.
In this article, let’s explore some critical do’s and don’ts if anyone met with a semi-truck accident. Also, we will look at how Indianapolis semi-truck accident attorneys help you win the battle legally.
Do’s When You Involve In Semi Truck Accident
Any type of accident can be devastating and overwhelming, but a truck accident is often much more complicated than a car accident. This is because many more parties are involved, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and the truck’s manufacturer. This is why it’s crucial to seek out an experienced Indianapolis Semi-truck Accident Lawyer who can help. On this note, let’s look at what you can do after the accident:
1. Seek Medical Help Immediately After The Truck Accident:
There is nothing more crucial than your wellbeing and safety. After a truck accident, it’s essential to seek medical attention even if you feel fine. Oftentimes, injuries from a truck accident are not immediately apparent. A delay in seeking medical attention can impact your health and also your personal injury claim.
Regardless of the situation at that time, it’s your duty to yourself to go and get a complete medical examination from a doctor as soon as possible after the accident. Remember, some injuries may not show up for days or weeks after the accident. Once you have seen a doctor, be sure to follow all of their recommendations for treatment.
2. Try To Collect As Much Evidence As Possible:
Try to gather as much evidence from the accident scene as possible. This can include taking photos of the damage to your vehicle, the other vehicles involved, and any visible injuries you have sustained.
In addition, it’s essential to get the truck driver’s information, including their name, contact information, and insurance information. You should also get the trucking company’s information if you can. If you are unable to gather this information at the scene of the accident, your lawyer will be able to help.
3. Avoid Speaking To The Insurance Company:
After a truck accident, you will likely be contacted by the insurance company. It’s important to avoid speaking to them directly. The insurance company will probably try to get you to say something that can be used against you later, and they may also try to lowball you on your claim.
Instead of speaking to the insurance company, let your lawyer handle all communications. This way, you can be sure that your rights are protected and that you are getting the total value of your claim. Insurance agencies always force you to settle claims and for less than they are originally worth. An experienced Indiana truck accident law firm will know how to negotiate with the insurance company to get you the compensation you deserve.
4. File A Police Report:
Be sure to file a police report after the semi-truck accident. This will create an official record of the accident and can be used as evidence in your personal injury claim. Police can help you in multiple ways like – taking down witness statements, investigating the accident scene, and issuing citations.
Many people make the mistake of not involving the police after an accident, but this can be a critical mistake. A police report can be beneficial in your personal injury claim and can help to hold the responsible parties accountable. In case of accidents, police can prove to be a great asset.
5. Exchange Contact Details With Eye-Witnesses:
Even if the police are called to the accident scene, it’s still a good idea to exchange contact information with any witnesses who saw the accident. These witnesses can provide valuable information that can help your personal injury claim.
Be sure to get their name, contact information, and a brief statement about what they saw. If you are unable to exchange information at the accident scene, your lawyer will be able to help you locate witnesses later.
6. Do Not Accept A Quick Settlement:
After a truck accident, the insurance company or the other party may try to pressure you to accept a quick settlement. Therefore, it’s essential to avoid taking any compensation until you have a chance to speak with a personal injury lawyer.
A quick settlement may seem like a good idea at the time, but it’s often for far less than your claim is actually worth. In addition, once you accept a settlement, you will likely be unable to seek additional compensation for your injuries, even if your injuries turn out to be more severe than initially thought.
Don’ts When You Involve In Semi Truck Accident
In addition to the things you should do after a truck accident, there are also a few things you should avoid doing. These include:
1. Don’t Leave The Accident Scene Without Informing Police:
It’s vital that you do not leave the scene of the accident until it is safe to do so and you have gathered all of the information you need. Leaving the scene of an accident can be considered a crime in many states.
Even if you are not at fault for the accident, it’s still important to stay at the scene and exchange information with the other driver.
2. Don’t Sign Anything:
After a truck accident, the other driver or their insurance company may try to get you to sign something. It’s essential that you do not sign anything without first speaking with a personal injury lawyer.
The other driver or their insurance company may try to get you to sign a release or waiver, which would give up your right to seek compensation for your injuries. Therefore, you should never sign anything without first having it reviewed by a lawyer.
3. Don’t Admit Fault:
Even if you think you may be at fault for the accident, you should never admit fault to the other driver or to the police. If you do admit fault, it can be used against you in a personal injury claim.
It’s important to let your lawyer handle the investigation into who was at fault for the accident. They will be able to gather evidence and determine who was actually at fault. Indianapolis semi-truck accident attorneys or lawyers of your city are more experienced in handling these cases.
4. Don’t Hide Anything From Your Attorneys:
It’s vital that you are honest with your attorney about your injuries and the accident. If you try to hide anything from your lawyer, it could jeopardize your personal injury claim.
Your lawyer needs to know all of the details of the accident and your injuries in order to build a strong case on your behalf. So be sure to tell your lawyer everything, even if you think it may not be necessary. Moreover, your lawyer will keep everything confidential so that you don’t have to worry about anything you tell them being used against you.
How Can An Indiana truck accident law firm Help You?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, it’s essential to seek legal help as soon as possible. The sooner you speak with a personal injury lawyer, the sooner they can start working on your case.
An experienced truck accident lawyer will be able to investigate the accident, gather evidence, and build a strong case on your behalf. They will also be able to negotiate with the insurance companies and work to get you the compensation you deserve.
Moreover, when anyone meets with an accident, they’re scared and might not be able to think straight. In such a situation, it would be best if you had an experienced lawyer by your side who could take care of everything and guide you through the process.
Wrapping up!
The attorneys can think critically and help you make the best decisions for your case. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer today. Contact the best Indianapolis semi-truck accident attorneys today to get started on your case.
Once you take help from professional legal advisors, it becomes easier for you to focus on your health and let the lawyer handle everything else. Your mental peace is significant, and a good attorney can help you achieve that with the proper steps towards the case’s progress.
FAQs
1. What are the primary things to do after a semi-truck accident?
The first thing to do after any kind of accident is to seek medical attention, even if you don’t think you’re injured. After that, you should contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options.
2. How long do I have to file a truck accident claim?
In Indiana, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim.
3. What should I do if the other driver’s insurance company contacts me?
You should never give a statement to the other driver’s insurance company without first speaking with a lawyer. The insurance company will likely try to get you to say something that could damage your personal injury claim.
4. How much will it cost to hire a lawyer?
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid if they win your case.
5. What kind of compensation can I receive in a truck accident claim?
If you win your personal injury claim, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
