It’s Monday morning and you’re driving to work with some lively music on the stereo. You did everything right today: got up early, dressed smartly, checked the tires, under the hood, adjusted your mirrors correctly, and put on your seat belt. You’re feeling good! And then bam!
Your body jerks forward, head bounces into the airbag, you hear crushing metal, screeching tires, and a popping sound coming from heaven knows where. Then piercing, ringing silence. You’ve been hit!
Your first instinct is to get out of the vehicle and assess the situation. Your car is a crumpled wreck and attached to the bumper is a semi-truck. What do you do?
First Things First
- Do a mental check of your physical well-being
- Take photos of the vehicles and of the scene with your phone
- Get the truck driver’s information
- Wait for the police
- Get medical attention
Now It’s Time to Make the Insurance Claim
Here, we strongly suggest hiring an experienced and reliable truck accident attorney. Semi-trucks are heavy-duty commercial vehicles regulated by complicated state and federal laws that most people don’t know and can’t navigate.
It is critical to have someone knowledgeable working on your case to avoid falling prey to the insurance company. The insurance providers that cover commercial trucking companies are equipped to handle accident cases.
As a result, they swiftly gather evidence after a collision to build a defense in favor of the truck driver and/or the trucking company. They are also likely to push for a swift resolution which may not be in your best interest.
A personal injury attorney will provide objective, professional assistance in the following ways:
1. Conduct a Detailed Investigation
As soon as you make contact, the lawyer immediately starts gathering evidence to determine who is liable. This is sometimes tricky and may involve many parties, including the truck manufacturer or the person or company that leased the truck from the owner. Your lawyer will enlist experts to:
Examine skid marks and debris at the scene
Examine the damage on each vehicle
Get data from the truck’s Black Box
Obtain the driver’s blood test results
Get maintenance records and look for evidence of violations of the Federal Motor Carrier safety regulations.
These are steps that would prove difficult or impossible for the average motorist.
2. Negotiate Your Compensation
Your personal injury lawyer is the best defense against all parties involved in your case. He will navigate the litigation process and foil any underhanded tactics employed by the insurance company.
Your lawyer will also present the best argument to ensure you receive fair and adequate compensation for your losses.
3. Hold Your Hand Through the Process
Dealing with insurance companies is tedious and psychologically draining. From the confusing legal terms to the long wait periods, it is daunting. But, having an experienced attorney will make the claim process simpler, less stressful, and help you settle in the shortest possible time.
We can’t always prevent accidents. But, if you are injured in a collision with a semi-truck, get the services of a truck accident attorney to protect your right to fair and adequate settlement.