What To Do Immediately After A Truck Accident: A Step-By-Step Guide Article Keyword: Truck Accident
Truck accidents can come out of nowhere and upend people’s lives without warning. Many people feel paralyzed by the shock of these situations, which can make them unable to act effectively. The surge of adrenaline from a car accident, combined with fear and uncertainty, can lead individuals to make mistakes that damage their cases in the future. While a truck accident is a significant and frightening moment in a person’s life, it is also the beginning of a long legal process that determines compensation and fault after a truck accident. This means that the individual’s actions in the moment of a truck accident can have a lasting impact on a future case.
Therefore, proactively preparing for a truck accident can help individuals address the chaos of the moment while acting with a clear head and making wise decisions. Mental preparation for a trucking accident could help avoid lost compensation and complex legal issues that may arise. Additionally, it can help reduce stress because the individual can prioritize a solid plan and take action instead of being overwhelmed by the shock and fear of a truck accident.
For those who have suffered a trucking accident, the Louisiana Law Lady can help. Consider scheduling an appointment with Lauren Pilié, a skilled Louisiana trucking accident lawyer dedicated to serving her clients. Book an appointment now by calling or texting (504) 470-3511.
What Not to Do After a Trucking Accident
After a truck accident, many people are overwhelmed with emotion and adrenaline, which can lead to them making several key mistakes. The first and most common mistake individuals make immediately after a truck accident is apologizing or admitting fault. While it may seem innocuous or even expected, admitting fault can significantly damage an individual’s chance at compensation. Apologizing implies that the individual takes responsibility for the accident, which could be used in court as an admission of fault.
Another common mistake revolves around injuries and treatment. Truck accidents can cause many severe injuries that can be exacerbated by movement or unprofessional assistance. Attempting to treat or help an injured person without proper medical training can cause more harm than good, and it is generally best to avoid it. Contact emergency services as soon as possible for severe or life-threatening injuries.
Keep Calm
The first and most important thing to do in the event of a truck accident is to keep calm and assess the situation. When people react emotionally to the situation and act in fear, they can make mistakes that not only harm their chances at compensation but could endanger the lives of others. Taking a moment to breathe, steady one’s emotions, and maintain a level head can help the individual address the accident logically and effectively. Keeping calm may also provide a grounding influence on others impacted by the crash, helping them keep calm as well.
Assess Injuries and Call Emergency Services
In a trucking accident, the primary concern is the injuries and lives of those involved in the crash. Assessing any injuries and ensuring the safety of the other driver quickly may be key to preventing further injuries or loss of life. Calling emergency services for injuries may help ensure that all parties are safe and injury-free. Additionally, emergency services may be able to identify injuries that may not be obvious to the untrained eye and provide additional support. Even if neither party’s injuries are severe, emergency services could provide additional support in a legal case by having an additional set of witnesses and more accurate records of medical details.
Consider speaking with the Louisiana Law Lady for more information on the benefits of calling emergency services after a truck accident.
Report the Accident
After the health and safety of the drivers, passengers, and other parties is confirmed, Louisiana R.S. 32:398 legislates that the involved parties should contact the police for a crash report if more than $500 in property damage has been done or anyone has been injured. The local police can evaluate the crash and create an accident report that can be utilized later in a legal case. Reporting the accident is a vital step, as it helps provide an unbiased, professional opinion on the accident, and often captures details that the involved parties may not think about obtaining. These details could provide clarity if the other party claims that you are at fault for the truck accident.
Document the Scene
Once the relevant authorities have been contacted, it can be beneficial for a case if the individual documents the scene to the best of their ability. Collecting video and photographic evidence can help provide unbiased evidence that clearly displays the situation. Most people may benefit from taking photos and videos of the damage to both vehicles and the surrounding area. When photographing the surrounding area, be sure to include any relevant road signs or markings, such as yield signs in a failure to yield accident. These pieces of evidence may help establish the facts of the case in court effectively, allowing an attorney to better advocate for your rights. Documenting the scene may be helpful before the relevant authorities, operating under Louisiana R.S. 32:155, remove vehicles and cargo to restore the flow of traffic.
Collect Witness Contact Information
Another key factor of gathering evidence after a truck accident is to collect witness statements. If there are any witnesses to the accident nearby, their perspective and experience of the accident could be valuable when negotiating with insurance adjusters or arguing in court. Asking them for contact information so that the individual or their attorney can reach out in the future could help a case tremendously. You would be surprised how many times the responding officers fail to collect a witness’ contact information. However, it may not be necessary to seek a full statement in the aftermath of the accident. Securing contact information will generally suffice, so that they can be contacted at a more convenient date.
Speak With a Skilled Louisiana Trucking Accident Attorney
The final step, after the reports have been taken, injuries have been addressed, and evidence has been gathered, is to speak with an attorney. While a trucking accident may seem like a simple matter, navigating the legal complexities can be challenging. Truck accidents have complex liability laws due to the multiple parties involved in trucking accidents and Louisiana’s pure comparative negligence laws. This can make advocating for fair compensation a challenge, especially without legal experience.
This is why the Louisiana Law Lady is here to help. Lauren Pilié is an experienced Louisiana trucking accident attorney and can help with your case by evaluating liability, crafting a legal strategy to pursue compensation, and representing her clients in a legal capacity to both insurance companies and the Louisiana courts. Consider scheduling a meeting with Lauren by calling or texting at (504) 470-3511 for more details.