Being involved in a traffic collision with a commercial tractor-trailer is always a frightening experience, even if you are fortunate enough to walk away from the wreck without any serious injuries. In that scenario and all others, though, the actions you take immediately after a crash like this can significantly impact your ability to recover financially for its effects later on, so it is important to be as calm and proactive as possible under these circumstances.
You will want to do a few specific things not just to ensure you are safe from further harm, but also to strengthen a lawsuit or settlement demand you may have grounds to file against the people at fault for the wreck. Here are some first steps to take after a Prairieville truck accident that the experienced attorneys at Tomeny | Best recommend.
Make Sure to Avoid a Hit and Run Charge
Even if someone else is 100 percent at fault for a traffic collision, a person who leaves the scene of that wreck unlawfully may still find themselves facing criminal charges for hit and run. Unless they need emergency medical attention, the absolute first steps anyone should take after being involved in a truck wreck in Prairieville are moving their vehicle out of the flow of traffic if possible, checking if anyone else involved needs emergency assistance, calling 911 to get police to respond to the scene, and exchanging contact and insurance details with all other involved parties.
Gather Some Information From People Nearby
In addition to speaking with people directly involved in a truck wreck, it can also be helpful to speak with and get contact details from people who were not directly involved but who witnessed the crash happen and could testify about how it played out. Likewise, if there are any dashboard or security cameras which may have recorded the accident as it happened, it can be helpful to get contact information from the owners of those cameras so they can provide the footage to a truck accident attorney later on.
Take Photos of the Crash Scene
Along similar lines, a skilled truck injury lawyer can effectively use photos and videos of vehicle damage caused by a truck crash, nearby traffic patterns, and any obstacles that may have obstructed the view of a driver involved. These pictures, along with things like testimony from accident reconstructionists, can be key to establishing exactly how an accident happened in physical terms and who specifically is at fault for it.
Get Checked Out by a Doctor as Soon as Possible
Finally, the first step anyone should take after leaving the scene of a Prairieville truck crash is to visit a hospital emergency room or urgent care clinic. Even if they feel fine immediately after the wreck, they may have suffered injuries that have not produced obvious symptoms yet, and either way, professional documentation of their injuries will be essential evidence during an ensuing civil claim.
Contacting a Prairieville Attorney Should Be Among the First Steps You Take After a Truck Accident
It is more than understandable to be overwhelmed after being struck by a negligent semi-truck driver, especially if that collision has left you seriously injured. As much as you can, though, you should take the first steps listed above after your Prairieville truck accident to give yourself the best chance of getting fair civil recovery later on.
If you have any questions about what to do after your specific wreck, a qualified legal professional could answer them during a free and confidential consultation. Call Tomeny | Best today to schedule yours.
