Truck accidents are such terrifying events that many survivors need days to process what happened. They often wake up in the middle of the night, re-living the crash. However, anyone hoping to make a truck accident claim must immediately begin gathering evidence, most of which is at the scene of the crash. After a Georgia truck accident, motorists should document the scene and then quickly receive medical care. Call Griffin Law Firm, P.C., for immediate assistance. We have won numerous injury settlements, and our Snellville truck accident lawyer can meet to talk about a possible injury claim.
What to Do After a Truck Accident: 9 Steps
Here is what to do after a semi truck accident or collision with any other large vehicle.
1. Request an Ambulance for Anyone Who is Hurt
Some truck accidents lead to life-threatening injuries. Ask everyone involved in the crash if they need an ambulance and call one if they do.
If you are in so much pain you can’t move, then ask someone to call for you. You will not be able to take the other steps listed here, but maybe someone else at the scene can.
2. Report the Accident to the Police
You want an officer to come out after a Georgia truck accident. They can:
- Create a crash report.
- Talk to witnesses, which is critical if you are in pain and cannot talk to them yourself.
- Investigate whether the trucker is intoxicated and ask for a breath sample.
3. Swap Insurance and Personal Details with the Trucker
You will need certain information to make an insurance claim. Get the following from the truck driver:
- Name
- License information
- Registration
- Employer information
- Insurance details
Share your own personal and insurance details with the driver, too. If the accident involved multiple vehicles, you should get this information from every driver.
4. Photograph the Vehicles
Taking pictures is a good way to document what the scene looks like. When the insurance companies sit down to negotiate a settlement, it is helpful to have visual proof of the collision. The location of your car and the truck can help prove fault, as well as the severity of the wreck.
Get pictures from different locations using your phone. Zoom in on dents and try to get a couple of pictures before your car and the truck are moved to the side of the road.
5. Speak with Witnesses to the Accident
Eyewitnesses are essential to many Georgia truck accident cases. A witness can help insurance adjusters visualize the accident. With luck, witnesses will stick around so you can speak to them and get their name and a method of contact (like phone or email).
Some common witnesses include:
- All the passengers in your car.
- Other motorists on the road that stopped after seeing the accident.
- Anyone else in the truck with the truck driver.
- Bystanders, if you were hit downtown.
Your lawyer will want to speak to witnesses, so share their names and contact information.
6. Note Anything Unusual About the Trucker
The truck driver should exit the cab after the crash, so you can get a good look at their appearance and behavior. As you swap insurance details, note anything that might be relevant:
- Is the trucker yawning uncontrollably or have bloodshot eyes? These are signs of being without sleep.
- Do you smell alcohol or marijuana on the trucker’s breath?
- Is the trucker stumbling around or confused? These are signs of both fatigue and drug use.
Share any concerns you have with the police officer who comes out to the accident. You might suspect the trucker is high or drunk, and the responding officer can investigate. Also, discuss with your attorney if you think the trucker was tired. We can check the driving logs or the data from the truck.
7. Receive Medical Care After a Georgia Truck Accident
Once you are done at the accident scene, you should go to the emergency room to receive treatment. Early treatment improves the chances of healing from your injuries.
Receiving treatment also helps document that your injuries really exist. A common disagreement in truck accident cases is whether you are seriously injured or if you are making up injuries. The trucking company and its insurer will likely allege you have exaggerated any pain. Having X-rays or other imaging tests can show that your internal injuries are real.
8. Do Not Give a Recorded Statement to an Insurance Company
You should report the accident to your car insurer. They can open a claim on your behalf with the trucker’s insurer. However, you should never give a recorded statement to any insurance company. Don’t even answer questions over the phone or by email.
Any statement you make could undermine your claim. For example, Georgia’s negligence law could reduce your compensation if you have some fault. And you might get no compensation if your share of fault is at least 50%. (Georgia Code § 51-12-33.)
9. Consult an Experienced Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer
A lawyer will have useful tips for how to strengthen your injury claim. Never accept any proposed settlement, no matter how generous it appears, without first calling an experienced lawyer. Our firm will look it over and see if you could possibly get more after some negotiation.
A lawyer can also deal with all communications between you and the insurance companies.
They might reach out and want to ask questions. You should decline until you hire a lawyer. Often, the insurance companies hope you slip up and make some admission they can use against you.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Were you injured in a truck accident? These are major accidents that often leave victims with permanent injuries. Griffin Law Firm P.C. can provide an overview of your legal rights in a consultation. We will also discuss how much compensation you might receive. Contact us today!