Being hit by a commercial truck is an accident that often has extremely severe consequences for both your physical and financial health. Since commercial trucks are a great deal bigger than standard motor vehicles and often travel at high speeds, the accidents they are involved in usually result in catastrophic or even fatal injuries. Even a comparatively minor collision with a commercial truck can lead to serious injuries.
After being hurt in a commercial truck accident, there are a few steps that are essential for you to take in order to defend your rights and make sure you are not victimized by the insurance company. Your main focus will, of course, be on receiving appropriate medical care that will allow you to recover from your accident-related injuries. In the meantime, you will need a reputable law firm on your side to handle the investigation and deal with the insurance company to ensure you receive the full amount of financial compensation you are entitled to.
If you or a member of your family were injured in an accident involving a commercial truck, a Hampton truck accident attorney from Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp can help you obtain full and fair compensation for your losses. Call today and schedule your free consultation.
If you are involved in an accident with a commercial truck, it is necessary to know what you should do next.
Notify the Police Right Away
As soon as possible after your accident, call 911. Request an ambulance if anyone has been injured. If no one is obviously in need of medical assistance, ask for a state trooper or local law enforcement officer to respond to the scene. Make sure you get a copy of the Virginia police crash report as well as any other paperwork they fill out.
Seek Medical Care and Keep Documentation of Any Injuries
If you believe you have escaped unharmed, you still need to seek immediate medical treatment. If you have obvious injuries, you can be examined by the paramedics that respond to the scene. If your injuries demand stitches, x-rays, or any form of additional medical attention, they will be able to take you to the nearest emergency room.
Once you are admitted to the ER, make sure that you communicate clearly with healthcare staff so they can correctly diagnose and document your injuries.
Report Your Accident
Although it may have been the truck driver’s fault, the accident still needs to be reported to your insurance company as well as the truck driver’s insurance company. When you contact the insurance carrier, do NOT give them a recorded statement regarding fault. If you do, the trucking company’s insurer will make every effort to use it to deny your claim.
If and when they ask you for a recorded statement, tell them a truck accident attorney from Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp will be in touch with them and hang up.
Keep All Documents Relating to Your Accident in One Place
It is important to keep any documentation pertaining to your commercial truck accident in one place, such as a physical folder for paper documents and a digital folder for electronic documents. These documents should include hospital bills, pictures of the crash scene, any mail from the insurance carrier, and anything else associated with your accident. These items are important to your claim, and you do not want to lose track of them.
Get Advice from a Lawyer
If you are injured in a commercial truck crash, it is crucial that you move quickly to ensure that all of the evidence from your accident is conserved. Our truck accident lawyers offer a free consultation to all potential clients. This lets you speak with an experienced professional and get their honest opinion on whether or not you have a valid case and, if so, what you should do next.
Most commercial truck accidents require a lot of extra time and effort to analyze the vehicle’s event data recorder, as well as any maintenance records and log books maintained by the trucking company. You will need a skilled attorney to review this and other vital evidence.
Speak with a Hampton Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer
Being injured in a Virginia truck accident is frightening. Having dependable legal representation on your side will ensure that you have access to the resources and reliable advice you need. The Virginia truck accident lawyers at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp are dedicated to helping our clients obtain a favorable outcome to their truck accident cases.
We take a hands-on, assertive approach to helping you obtain financial compensation. We know the most effective way to investigate commercial truck accidents, identify the negligent party or parties, and pursue full compensation. If you were injured in a commercial truck accident in Virginia, contact our Hampton-area law firm today at (833) 997-1774 or through our online form.
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