According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the U.S. saw 439,206 crashes involving trucks in 2020. These accidents resulted in 146,930 people injured and 4,965 fatalities.
The actions you take after a truck accident can affect your ability to get compensation for injuries you or a loved one has suffered. Learn what to do after a truck accident in Indiana to ensure your safety and protect your rights. Contact the Indiana truck accident attorneys at Wagner Reese Injury Lawyers to help you with your case.
7 Immediate Steps After a Truck Accident
The moments after a truck collision are critical to your health and a potential truck accident claim. If you have severe neck pain, are bleeding, or feel disoriented, call for medical attention before taking further action. Otherwise, take the following steps:
- Call 911
You must call emergency services immediately after an injury accident in Indiana. Calling 911 ensures you and other involved parties receive medical care at the scene and provides a record of your injuries through the police report.
- Collect evidence
When filing an accident claim, you must prove the truck driver acted negligently. If you can, take pictures of the vehicle damage and the accident scene, including any skid marks on the road from the other vehicle or damage to or vegetation obscuring traffic lights or signs. Also, take photos of your injuries and those of the passengers in your car. Your attorney can use the evidence you gather to support your claim.
- Exchange information with parties involved
Exchange the following information with every vehicle or truck driver involved in the collision:
- The driver’s name and license number
- Their phone number or other contact information
- Their insurance policy name and number
- Their license plate number
You and your legal team will use this information to file your truck accident claim.
- Ask witnesses for their contact information
Speak to witnesses to get their statements and ask if they have dashcam footage of the incident. Get their contact information so your lawyer can reach out for an official account to use in your claim or, if necessary, a civil trial.
- Get medical attention
Seek medical attention even if you feel fine. Internal bleeding, traumatic brain injuries, and back injuries can take several days to emerge.
Visit your doctor as soon as possible after the crash to have your injuries assessed and get treatment. Keep all medical records and receipts for your case.
- Contact your automobile insurance company
Contact your insurance company after the collision. Since Indiana is a no-fault state, you can file an initial claim with your insurance for damages resulting from a truck accident. However, you can also seek additional damages from the negligent truck driver or trucking company in a third-party insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
- Contact a truck accident lawyer
Contact a qualified truck accident lawyer immediately after your accident to help you receive a larger settlement for your injuries. Because damage is often severe after a crash, and trucking companies and their insurers know a lot of money is at stake, they will begin immediately to start disputing your claim. The truck accident lawyers at Wagner Reese can negotiate with the insurance company for fair compensation and help protect your legal rights when filing a truck accident claim.
Determining Factors That Affect Your Final Settlement Amount
The final settlement you may receive after a truck collision depends on several factors, including the experience and skill of your lawyer. Your attorney and the insurance company will consider the following elements to determine your final compensation amount:
- The severity of injuries sustained
- Projected costs for current and future medical care
- Pain and suffering
- Financial repercussions caused by an inability to work
- The circumstances that led to the collision
- Insurability
Do You Need a Semi-Truck Accident Attorney?
Speak to an Indiana truck accident attorney from Wagner Reese Injury Lawyers immediately following your injury accident. We understand the severity of truck accident injuries and will work to get you the maximum compensation possible to help you recover.
Contact Wagner Reese after any accident for a free consultation and get skilled legal representation for your case.
