Tractor trailer accidents cause significant damage and often cost trucking companies a lot of money. For this reason, they employ big insurance companies who will begin investigating immediately in order to minimize their costs and pay you as little as possible. This means, that in the event of a tractor trailer accident, you should contact an attorney for legal help as soon as possible.
The most important things to do after an accident involving a large tractor trailer are:
Assess the situation: The FIRST Thing you should do is to assess any injuries you have. If you are injured, or think you might be then try to remain calm and await medical attention. If you are certain you can move without aggravating any serious injury, assess the safety of the scene and the extent of injury to anyone else involved in the accident. Look for any emergency situations, like a car on fire, or someone with a life threatening emergency. Ensure that someone has contacted 911 to report the accident.
Get to safety: Get safely off the road. One of the most important things to do will be to remove yourself, and everyone involved, from the danger zone. If you can move your car, try to remove it from the roadway and the path of traffic. Do this in the safest manner possible and move your car as far as possible from the lanes of traffic. This will help avoid secondary accidents. Make sure you get the help you need. Once the police and paramedics have arrived it is important that you follow their directions.
Record and report everything: Report all facts to the police if asked. It is important to be honest and truthful and respond to their questions. Furthermore, do not feel the need to give unnecessary information to the police at the scene. If you do not feel that you can give an accurate statement to the police because of your mental state, be honest with the officer and advise him/her that you cannot give them an accurate statement at that time.
Contact your insurance agency: Find out how they will handle recovery of your vehicle. If they have a response team they may come out to inspect the scene. Make sure you disclose any possible injuries to them and write down the claim number they assign to the case. Collect as much information as possible. Once things start to calm down and all emergency situations have been resolved, it is important for you to try to get as much information as you can. You cannot assume that the police will collect all the information you may need to preserve your rights.
If youve been involved in an accident with a tractor trailer, call the experienced Richmond tractor trailer accident lawyers of Collier & Collier, P.C. at 804-364-5200. We help clients in Richmond and beyond receive full compensation for their injuries.
