After a truck accident, you should move your vehicle to a safe place if possible, alert emergency services, gather evidence if you are able, consult a doctor, inform your insurance company, and consider discussing your accident with a lawyer.
At Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC, you’ll get personal attention from our truck accident lawyer in Corpus Christi. Learn about the legal options open to you at no cost. Call us today.
Move Your Vehicle to a Safe Place
Many people wonder whether they should move their vehicle after an accident. After all, its position can help clarify what happened. At the same time, leaving a crashed vehicle in a travel lane might lead to further accidents, endangering other people.
If you are physically able and your car is still drivable, move it to a safe place, like the shoulder of the road. You can preserve the evidence for Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC by taking a few quick photos from inside your car, but don’t delay taking steps that help keep the road safe for others.
A truck accident usually leaves a lot of physical evidence, such as skid marks and vehicle damage. Even if you moved your car, investigators will use physical evidence to show what happened. There might also be witness accounts to support findings on who was liable for a truck accident in Texas.
We have offices in Houston, Corpus Christi, and Victoria; and will travel to any corner of Texas if we are capable of preventing an injustice.
Calling Emergency Services After a Truck Accident
At Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC, we know that truck accidents are seldom minor fender benders. Apart from property damage, the weight and force of a moving truck often cause serious injuries. Even when they don’t, a truck accident scene poses a danger to other drivers who encounter an unexpected situation. Getting help is one of the most important things to do after a truck accident.
Call 911 immediately. Dispatchers will send help right away. Apart from potentially life-saving interventions from paramedics, police help keep everyone as safe as possible while also compiling a police report. When our firm gets a police report in Corpus Christi, you see an official assessment of the crash. It provides a perspective that can guide future investigations.
When calling 911, avoid giving unnecessary information. Dispatchers need to know where the accident occurred and whether you think people might have been injured. If you notice any immediate hazards, such as blocked roads or cargo spills, detail them so first responders know what to expect.
Gathering Your Own Evidence After a Truck Accident
When discussing what to do after a truck accident, many law firms imply that you must gather your own evidence after an accident. While this is true up to a point, there are several circumstances that make this an unwise move, and a few considerations to bear in mind. Consider whether:
- You are injured: Do not risk harming yourself further by attempting to gather information or evidence if you are injured. Wait for help to arrive.
- You might endanger yourself or others: Assess the situation. If you must navigate fast-moving traffic or low visibility conditions in order to document the scene, you risk placing yourself and others in harm’s way.
- The truck was carrying hazardous materials: Your activity could trigger a disaster. Stay in your vehicle unless there is an immediate risk such as fire.
If it seems safe to do so, feel free to step out of your vehicle to exchange details with other drivers, talk to witnesses, and record images and videos of the accident scene. Although police will document the scene, your evidence adds to the body of information Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC uses in your truck accident case.
Representing the injured in all areas of Texas that extends back over 40 years
Consulting a Doctor As Soon as Possible After a Truck Accident
Adrenaline often masks injuries, and the symptoms of internal injuries aren’t always obvious right away. You can be sure that your body has sustained a severe shock after a truck accident. Get medical attention even if you don’t think you were hurt. Doing so can:
- Lead to prompt treatment of injuries you weren’t even aware of
- Help you know what delayed symptoms you should be alert for
- Reinforce that any injuries you sustained were caused by the crash
- Help you show you didn’t aggravate your injuries through neglect
At Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC, we have seen that insurance companies use delays in treatment to show that accident victims had a pre-existing injury or that people’s carelessness made their injuries worse than they were before. Your medical records should show that you took good care of yourself after the accident and clearly link your injuries to the crash.
You need a skilled advocate to protect your legal rights and present your claim in such a way as to maximize your recovery.
When to Call Your Insurance Company After a Truck Accident
Insurance policy terms and conditions vary, but they generally expect you to report any accident you’ve been involved in as soon as possible. Depending on your policy, your insurance company helps with some of your immediate costs. Reporting to your insurance company is part of what to do after a wreck.
At the same time, be careful about the information you provide. Stick to the basic facts, like where and when the accident occurred, and other details like your police report number and other drivers’ details if you have them. Don’t discuss your injuries or speculate on fault. Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC can help you present these points properly.
Helping you deal with insurance companies, your own as well as those representing other parties, is part of what we do. Make that call, use the insurance company’s app, or send that email, but consider getting representation as soon as possible. Your attorney knows what to do after a truck accident, and you can rely on their advice.
How Our Truck Accident Lawyer Helps You After You’ve Been Involved in an Accident
Determining who was at fault in a truck accident is a complex matter. The truck driver, their employer, companies responsible for loading, those responsible for truck maintenance and components, and other drivers are among the parties who may be responsible for an accident.
Allow Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC to advocate for you. Begin by finding out whether you have a case and what your options may be. Your first consultation is free, and we often work on a no-win-no-fee basis. Talk to our truck accident attorney to find out where you stand. Talking to us might be the most important thing you do after a truck accident.
At Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC we can talk to you about your options and rights.
