A semi-truck crash can cause devastating injuries and extensive property damage. These collisions often leave accident victims in pain and in shock and uncertain what to do next. However, there are basic steps individuals can take in the days and weeks following a truck accident to protect their legal options for pursuing compensation.
If you have questions about what steps you should take after being injured in a truck accident, turn to a St. Louis truck accident lawyer at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC for help. For more than two decades, our dedicated lawyers have advocated for the rights of accident victims harmed by others’ negligent actions
Our experienced attorneys have been recognized for the results they have obtained on behalf of clients, including receiving the 2014 and 2015 Litigator Award, being named one of the 10 Best Law Firms of 2015 by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, as well as memberships in the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums. Attorneys David Craig and Scott Faultless have earned board certification from the National Board of Trial Advocacy in commercial truck accident law. Both attorneys have extensive experience representing people injured in tractor-trailer and semi-truck accidents.
Contact us online or call (314) 367-2661 today for a free case review with a seasoned St. Louis truck accident attorney. We’re here to help you understand your options for moving forward following a truck crash.
Call the Police
After the crash, make sure that you or someone else contacts the local police department or state police to report the truck accident. Let the operator know how many people have been injured so that the appropriate number of ambulances will be sent.
Calling the police is important after a truck crash. A truck accident can create a lot of vehicle damage and debris in the roadway. Police can secure the accident scene and help to keep traffic moving while the scene is cleaned up and any disabled vehicles are towed away.
Officers will investigate the crash by speaking to those involved, interviewing witnesses, taking photos, and observing vehicle damage and conditions at the scene. If the police ask you for a statement, provide a brief statement of the facts as you remember them. You do not need to speculate about what happened or blame anyone.
Record the Scene
If it is safe for you to do so and you are able, use your cell phone to take photos or videos of the accident scene, including details such as the positions of the vehicles involved in the crash before they are moved after the collision, damage to the vehicles, skid marks in the road, and traffic signs and signals at the scene. Take photographs of any visible injuries that you have suffered.
Make sure to speak with each driver involved in the accident to exchange contact and insurance information. Remember to record vehicle details such as make/model, license plate numbers, and the state or USDOT registration number of the truck involved in the crash. If another motorist refuses to exchange information when asked, let the police gather the information.
Do Not Admit Fault
If you speak to the police at the accident scene or are contacted by an insurance adjuster after the accident, do admit fault for the accident. Don’t apologize to others at the accident scene. Even if you think you may have contributed to the crash, you may not be aware of all the contributing factors to the accident. The police will draw their own conclusions.
Let a St. Louis truck accident attorney review the evidence and determine the cause of the accident and who may be held financially liable. In some cases, several parties may share legal responsibility for the crash and the injuries and losses that were caused.
Get Immediate Medical Attention
If paramedics respond to the crash scene, you should allow them to check you out if they offer. If they want to transport you to the hospital for emergency treatment, you should allow them to do so. If you don’t require attention at the scene, you should see your primary physician or another doctor after the accident for a full medical evaluation. You may have suffered injuries such as a concussion or head injury that isn’t immediately apparent to you. But a doctor might be able to diagnose the injury in a physical exam.
Delaying medical treatment gives the insurance companies a reason to argue that your injuries were not caused by the truck crash or that you were not as seriously injured as you claim.
Refrain from Social Media
Although you may want to let your family and friends know that you have been involved in a truck accident, you should avoid making any statements or posting photos or videos on social media after a truck crash. Your social media posts may be used against you in a later claim for compensation if they contradict the claims of injury you have made.
Call Your Insurance Company
Remember to notify your car insurance company of the accident as soon as possible. Your policy may require you to give notice of an accident within a certain period of time, regardless of who may have been at fault or whether you intend to file a claim.
You should refrain from giving any statements to the insurance company representing the truck driver or trucking company until you have had a chance to consult with an attorney. Do not discuss any specific injuries that you suffered in the accident. You can simply tell the adjuster that you are still receiving treatment for your injuries and will pursue a claim once your treatment has finished.
Our Experienced Missouri Truck Accident Lawyers Are Here to Help
If you have been involved in a truck crash, turn to the experienced Missouri truck accident lawyers at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC for assistance. Call us at (314) 367-2661 or contact us online for a free consultation to discuss how our firm can help you pursue full compensation for the injuries and losses you have suffered as a result of someone else’s careless actions.
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