You can get compensated for your injuries after a truck accident by filing either a personal injury lawsuit or an insurance claim. A personal injury lawyer can help you file a claim on your behalf. They may also handle all communications with insurance companies, that typically look to provide you with a minimum settlement offer for your injuries and losses.
Truck accidents are all too common in this country. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found that from 2009-2017, the number of large trucks and buses in fatal crashes has increased by 42 percent! After a truck accident, you and your family may be left with a variety of damages, such as medical costs and lost wages. Fortunately, you may be entitled to financial compensation through a personal injury claim if negligence caused your accident.
At-fault parties following a truck accident can vary, depending on your accident. For instance, the liable party responsible for your injuries might be the trucking company, the truck driver, the truck’s manufacturer, or the shippers that loaded the truck.
An Ohio truck accident lawyer can help investigate your accident to determine negligence and pinpoint liability.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
There are certain steps you should take following a truck accident that will support your safety and can help retain your legal recourse options. You may have already completed some of these steps, but here are some general measures to take after being involved in a truck accident:
- Call 911 or seek medical attention.
- Complete a police report.
- Receive contact information from all parties at the scene.
- Begin to gather your own evidence.
- Contact your insurance company.
- Record all damages you have incurred.
- Avoid giving recorded statements.
- Continue to receive any necessary medical treatment.
- Consider getting help from a personal injury lawyer.
While this is a basic outline of the steps you can take following a truck accident, you may require additional steps in order to protect your legal rights. If your injuries were so severe that you had to be transported to a hospital, you may not have had the ability to gather evidence from the scene of the accident or damages to your vehicle.
It is critical that you seek medical attention at some point following your truck accident to ensure your health and safety. This will also help your potential personal injury case, as it will include medical documentation that is related to your injury.
Police reports can also be useful and may contain the contact information from the truck driver, their employer, any eyewitnesses, the officer’s assessment of what caused the accident, and other useful information. This report will be necessary when you file a claim with an insurance company.
While the police will likely take care of all the contact information you will need, it is safe to obtain your own copy of this information for your records. There could be several eyewitnesses to your accident, so it is best to obtain all of their contact information if you are healthy enough to do so after your truck accident.
A personal injury attorney can handle all aspects of your case including gathering evidence, interviewing eyewitnesses, and negotiating with the insurance company while you focus on healing from your truck accident.
For a free legal consultation, call (614) 538-1116
Where Large Truck Accidents Can Occur
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), approximately 52% of all deaths from large truck crashes in 2018 happened along major roadways that did not include freeways or interstates.
Additionally, the IIHS found that 33% of these accidents did take place on freeways and interstates, while only 14% occurred on minor roadways.
Potential Truck Accident Causes
When truck drivers, truck manufacturers, or shippers act negligently, they can cause accidents, with innocent people getting hurt.
The following are some examples of truck driver negligence that can cause an accident according to FMCSA:
- Speeding
- Texting while driving
- Distracted driving
- Failing to yield
- DWI
- DUI
- Careless driving
- Driving while fatigued
As you start to question how to seek compensation for your injuries after a truck accident, consider whether or not negligence was a factor. The above are prime examples of negligence that can cause an accident. Another example is when truck drivers disobey their hours-of-service limits.
For instance, the FMCSA states that truck drivers “are allowed a period of 14 consecutive hours in which to drive up to 11 hours after being off duty for 10 or more consecutive hours.”
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Get Compensated for Your Injuries After A Truck Accident
If you or a loved one in Ohio is wondering how to get compensated for injuries after a truck accident, you might consider contacting the personal injury lawyers at Bressman Law. Call (614) 538-1116 to begin building your personal injury lawsuit. Bressman Law can help pursue financial compensation for your damages, such as medical costs, lost wages, loss of consortium, pain and suffering, property damage, and more. The initial consultation is always free for truck accident victims and their families. You pay nothing upfront or out of pocket until we are able to secure a fair settlement on your behalf.
Call or text (614) 538-1116 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
