What To Do If You’re In a Semi Truck Accident
Posted on: October 1, 2024Being involved in a semi truck accident can be a frightening and overwhelming experience. After all, these accidents are much different from a typical car accident.
Semi trucks, whether fully loaded or empty, are significantly heavier than regular vehicles, with a fully loaded semi weighing up to 80,000 pounds—much more than the average car or even a pickup truck. This added weight and size can lead to more severe injuries and complicated situations.
If you’ve been in a semi truck accident, it’s crucial to approach the situation with caution and care. Understanding what steps to take next can make all the difference in protecting your rights and ensuring your recovery.
The steps you take immediately after a semi truck accident can have a significant impact on the outcome of your case.
Due to the size and weight of semi trucks, these accidents often result in more severe injuries and property damage compared to collisions involving smaller vehicles.
If you want to ensure that you’re adequately compensated for medical expenses, lost wages, and the pain and suffering you may endure, it’s essential to proceed with caution. Following the right steps can help protect your health, your financial future, and your legal rights.
1. Check Yourself For Injuries
The first priority after a semi truck accident is to assess yourself and your passengers for any injuries.
Remember, even if you are lucky enough not to feel immediate pain, this doesn’t mean you are uninjured. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent due to shock or adrenaline.
If anyone is seriously injured, call 911 right away to get emergency medical help on the scene. Prompt medical treatment is crucial, not only for your health but also for documenting your injuries, which can play a key role in any future legal claims. Your safety and well-being should always come first.
2. Call 911
It’s common for people to hesitate before calling the police after an accident, worrying that they might be getting the other driver into trouble. However, reporting the accident isn’t just a good idea—it’s the law depending on the severity of the crash. With a semi truck, it almost always needs to be reported.
According to Florida law, if a crash results in injury, death, or more than $500 in property damage, you are legally required to notify local law enforcement. Calling 911 ensures that the accident is properly documented, which can be critical for both your safety and your legal case moving forward.
3. Document the Accident
If you need immediate medical attention, emergency responders and law enforcement will document your injury complaints for you.
However, if you’re physically able, it’s important to take your own photos or videos of the scene. Capture the damage to all vehicles, the surrounding area, any skid marks, and any visible injuries. This documentation can serve as crucial evidence when it comes to proving fault and supporting your claim for compensation. The more detailed your records, the stronger your case will be.
Importantly, you can expect that the trucking company will send a representative to the scene to take photographs and video. This documentation will not be shared with you, so having your own video and photographs is crucial.
4. Exchange Info
After ensuring everyone’s safety and contacting law enforcement, exchange information with the truck driver and any witnesses at the scene.
Be sure to gather the driver’s name, contact information, insurance details, and the company they work for. If there are any witnesses, politely ask for their contact information as well, as their accounts may be valuable for your case.
It is crucial that you avoid admitting fault or making any statements about the accident—stick to sharing basic details. This information will be essential when filing your claim.
Capturing witness information is vital. Sometimes, witnesses will stay at the scene for only a few minutes and leave before the police arrive. Oftentimes, police officers are focused on the parties and not the witnesses. Therefore, you need to ask for their contact information to provide to the police and for yourself if they need to be contacted.
5. File an Insurance Claim
Once you’ve gathered the necessary information and reported the accident, the next step is to file an insurance claim.
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the incident, providing them with all the necessary details.
Depending on the severity of the accident, you may also need to communicate with the trucking company’s insurance provider. Keep in mind that the insurance process can be complex, so having a clear record of the accident will help ensure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.
Remember that the trucking company and their insurance companies are professionals at limiting liability. Most trucking companies have a safety or risk department whose job is to minimize exposure to the company. You will want to be very careful if you decide to communicate on your own. You are best served with retaining counsel to handle these important discussions because you may provide information that you are not required to do.
6. Seek Medical Treatment
After a semi truck accident, it’s crucial to seek medical treatment as soon as possible, even if you don’t feel seriously injured right away.
In Florida, you must see a doctor within 14 days of the accident to be eligible for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, which can help cover medical costs. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal trauma, may not show symptoms immediately, so it’s important to get a thorough evaluation.
Skipping this step could not only jeopardize your health but also your ability to receive compensation for your medical expenses.
7. Watch Your Words
After a semi truck accident, it’s important to be very careful with what you say to both your insurance company and the trucking company’s insurer. They will be looking for any statements that might downplay your injuries or harm your case.
Stick to the facts and avoid speculating about the extent of your injuries. Additionally, it’s wise to stay off social media and be mindful of your activities in public. Insurance companies often conduct surveillance, looking for any signs that you aren’t as injured as you claim, and so do trucking companies.
Being cautious with your words and actions can help protect your case. Again, this is why it is best to hire counsel to handle these discussions.
8. Call A Truck Accident Attorney
Finally, it’s important to contact a truck accident attorney who is experienced with these types of complex cases.
Determining fault in a semi truck accident can be more complicated than in a typical car crash. Not only might the truck driver be responsible, but the trucking company, a maintenance provider, or even the person who loaded the truck could share liability. All potential defendants must be identified as well as respective insurers.
An attorney with expertise in truck accidents can conduct a thorough investigation to identify all responsible parties and ensure you receive the full compensation you’re entitled to receive.
An experienced attorney like those at Beers & Gordon can identify dash cams and other downloadable content that may have been captured by the truck or other vehicles at the scene. Having the right legal guidance can make a significant difference in your recovery.
Commercial Accidents Are Different
Insurance coverage in commercial trucking accidents is often more complicated than in standard car accidents.
Because semi trucks can cause significant damage, they typically carry much higher insurance limits. In some cases, there may even be additional coverage available, such as policies held by the trucking company or other involved parties.
However, insurance companies often try to settle quickly and for less than you deserve. That’s why it’s crucial to have an attorney who understands the complexities of commercial trucking insurance.
A knowledgeable lawyer will know where to look for extra coverage and can push back against lowball offers to ensure you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.
Conclusion
Being involved in a semi truck accident can be a life-altering experience, but knowing what steps to take can help protect your health and your legal rights. From seeking medical treatment to documenting the accident and navigating complex insurance policies, it’s crucial to handle each step carefully.
If you or a loved one has been in a semi truck accident, Beers & Gordon is here to help. With years of experience working on behalf of both insurance companies and Florida residents, we understand the ins and outs of truck accident cases.
Contact Beers & Gordon today to get the experienced legal support you need to receive the compensation you deserve.