After a semi-truck accident, your first priority should be to get to safety and seek emergency medical care. If your loved one was injured in a serious truck accident, we understand your worry and fear about their well-being. We know that you want to do everything you can to help them. If you or a loved one was hit by a semi-truck and has questions about what to do next, our legal team at Shamieh Law can help.
Move to a Safe Location Whenever Possible and Report the Accident
Safety always comes first in the aftermath of a crash. If you and the others involved can move to safety off the road and out of traffic, you should try to do so. However, if you or someone else at the scene has been badly injured, you should never attempt to move yourself or the other party without the help of emergency services. In many cases, moving could worsen an injury.
Most states mandate reporting car accidents that involve injuries, death, or property damage exceeding a specific dollar threshold. If you leave the scene before police arrive, still report the incident as soon as possible. Failing to do so can harm your claim and, in some scenarios, result in legal penalties.
Seek Medical Care After a Truck Crash
Being injured in a truck accident as a smaller vehicle driver can result in severe injuries. Our attorneys have seen a wide range of catastrophic injuries when helping clients, including serious fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal injuries.
Delayed injuries and pain are also very common in truck and car accidents. Just because it is not immediately felt does not mean it is minor. You should always see a doctor after a crash to rule out any hidden wounds that require medical treatment.
If you are the caretaker for a loved one who was injured in a truck crash, keeping track of medical records and making notes about your loved one’s progress can help preserve their claim.
Collect Evidence for a Truck Accident Claim
Be Cautious When Talking to Insurance Companies
After a commercial truck accident, you might hear from several insurance companies representing different parties. Be careful about giving a recorded statement, releasing medical records, or accepting an offer before you understand your injuries, losses, and which parties may be responsible. Accepting a settlement will require you to give up the right to seek more compensation, even if additional expenses arise later.
Preserve All Medical and Accident Records
What if You Were Involved but Felt Less of the Impact?
Even if you were less seriously injured than someone else, you may be the person helping your family manage hospital updates, insurance calls, work information, vehicle details, accident reports, and belongings recovered from the accident.
Keep the paperwork and notes together, including the names of people you speak with and what they tell you. You do not need to investigate the crash yourself.
When you are ready, write down what you remember seeing and hearing. Your account can help clarify the sequence of events, especially if there are questions about the truck driver’s actions.
Should You Contact a Truck Accident Attorney?
Early legal involvement can help preserve evidence and support the investigation into your accident. Commercial truck cases often involve complicated federal regulations and records that become harder to obtain over time. An attorney could be beneficial if any of the following are true about your case:
- Someone suffered serious or catastrophic injuries
- The accident involved multiple vehicles
- The trucking company or insurer is contacting your family
- Liability is disputed
- A loved one died as a result of the crash
Our legal team at Shamieh Law helps families dealing with complex truck accident claims. If you or a loved one were injured in a semi-truck accident, a truck accident lawyer at Shamieh Law can answer your questions and help you understand your legal options.
Reach Out to Shamieh Law for Help After a Semi-Truck Accident
At Shamieh Law, we offer free initial consultations. Even if you weren’t personally involved in the accident but have questions on behalf of your loved one who was seriously or fatally injured by a semi-truck, we can listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain your legal options.
To schedule your free appointment, contact us through our website or call us at 337-435-8071.