If you’re injured in a truck accident, you may wonder, “what do I do now?” Don’t worry. We’ll explain what to do after a truck accident.
Our Atlanta truck accident lawyers have successfully represented truck accident victims for decades. We’ll deliver the best customer service and the greatest result. Our prior victories and our 5-star client reviews validate that promise.
Call us today at (404) 939-9470. Also, you may fill-out our online contact form to schedule a free case review. If you’ve got questions, we’ve got the answers.
Step 1: Call 911
Move your vehicle to the side of the road immediately after the truck accident. Don’t get out of your vehicle. If you get out of your vehicle, you might be struck by oncoming traffic. Additionally, you might be harmed by hazards at the collision scene, such as flammable liquids or sharp debris.
Call 911 as soon as possible. Report any pain that you’re experiencing. Request an ambulance if you fear that you have a bone, joint, or spinal injury.
You’re welcome to offer assistance to other accident victims if the collision scene is safe. Moreover, Georgia’s Good Samaritan laws protect you from liability if you:
- Don’t act in a malicious manner
- Don’t seek compensation for your help
Step 2: Report Your Accident To The Police Officer
The 911 operator will dispatch a police officer to investigate the collision. The police officer will interview the drivers and witnesses. Also, the police officer will inspect the vehicle damage. Then, the police officer will issue a traffic citation to the negligent truck driver. The police officer’s report is a great tool to resolve your personal injury claim.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) also require trucking companies to report an accident if someone is injured. The trucking company must provide the following information:
- Accident date
- Accident location
- Truck driver’s name
- Injuries and fatalities
- Hazardous materials exposure (vehicle fuel is excluded)
- Copies of accident reports
Step 3: Call A Truck Accident Lawyer
Call a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer will set you up with medical providers that can treat your injuries. Also, your lawyer will investigate how the collision occurred. For instance, your lawyer will obtain and review the following records:
- Truck company history and records
- Truck driver licenses and background checks
- Trucker’s hours of operation logs
- Vehicle loading practices
- Cargo records
- Accident reconstruction data
- Toxicology reports and pertinent medical records of all drivers involved
- Cell tower data
- Police and witness reports
If you don’t hire a lawyer, the trucking company may destroy those records before you can obtain them.
Our Atlanta truck accident lawyers build strong cases to maximize our clients’ settlements. If the insurance carrier won’t pay you what you deserve, we’ll take them to court.
Hiring a lawyer also increases the likelihood that your lawsuit will be filed before the statute of limitations expires. In Georgia, personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within two years of the truck accident. Otherwise, the court may dismiss them.
Step 4: Follow Your Doctors’ Orders
We’ll help you obtain reliable and cost-effective medical care. However, it’s important that you follow your doctors’ orders throughout your recovery process. Your injuries might not heal if you miss appointments. Also, the insurance carrier may low-ball your claim if there are treatment gaps in your medical records.
Questions that you should ask your medical providers include:
- How should I care for my injuries?
- Will I have any permanent impairments?
- What surgeries or therapies will I need in the future?
Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers Can Help You After A Truck Accident
Truck accidents injure thousands of people in Georgia every year. Our Atlanta truck accident lawyers understand how important it is for our clients to know what to do after a truck accident.
Don’t accept any settlement offer from the insurance carrier until you hire a lawyer. The truck company must compensate you for all the harms they caused. A skilled lawyer will make sure that you recover maximum compensation.
We’ve helped truck accident victims in Atlanta, Fulton County, Dekalb County, Clayton County, Gwinnett County, Cobb County, and throughout Georgia. Call Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers today at (404) 939-9470 or use our online form to schedule a free, initial consultation.
