Introduction
The aftermath of truck accidents can be extremely catastrophic as they tend to cause grievous bodily harm and huge damages to property. Knowing precisely what actions to take right after an accident occurs is necessary for ensuring that your rights are well-protected and that compensation is offered to you. This article explains steps to take after a truck accident, the benefits of reviewing medical records, and how reviewing them helps attorneys aid in building robust cases.
Steps to Follow Immediately After a Truck Accident
Ensure Safety First
• Check for Injuries: Make sure to check if you or anyone else is injured. Contact emergency services without delay if someone is hurt.
• Safety Move: If you can, take vehicles to a location where there is no danger of further accidents happening.
Call Authorities
• Report the Accident: Reach out to local law enforcement agencies to let them know that an accident has happened. A police report is very crucial and vital for legal proceedings.
• Get a Copy of the Report: Ask for a copy of the police report so you have it for your reference.
Gather Evidence
• Document the Scene: Capture pictures and footage of the accident scene, damage done to vehicles, and any visible injuries.• Witnesses Information Collection: Collect the contact details of witnesses who are able to provide relevant information regarding the accident.
Information Exchange
• Driver Details: Share the names, contact numbers, insurance details, and license plate numbers of the truck driver along with other participating individuals.
• Company Details: In case of a company owned truck, collect the company information and their contact details.
Informed About Your Rights
Legal Rights Awareness
• Rightful Settlement: It is within your rights to obtain payment for medical services, income, and physical or emotional distress.
• Speak to an attorney: You may want to hire a personal injury lawyer specialized in truck accident cases to get articulated about your rights and legal options you have.
Claims with insurance
• Inform the insurance provider: Report the occurrence of the accident to your insurance company within the least time possible.
• Document Everything: All conversations with the insurance provider and treatments provided by the medic should be kept for record.
The Importance of Reviewing Medical Records
Importance of Medical Records
• Documentation of Injury: Medical records are essential to prove the injuries faced in an accident that needs to be compensated for damages.
• Causation: This aids to prove the association of an accident with the injuries claimed to be compensated for.
Conducting a Medical Record Review
• Gather all pertinent medical records associated with the accident.
• Examine the records for gaps or discrepancies corresponding to the narrative provided by the claimant.
• Engage with specialists to assist in the interpretation of findings and provide expert witness testimony if needed.
Case Studies
Case Study 1: Highway Collision
Overview of the case: A commercial truck collided with a passenger vehicle on the highway, inflicting critical damages on the driver’s side.
Challenges: The truck driver alleged that the passenger vehicle changed lanes without signalling, which contributed to the accident.
Solutions: Witness statements validated the truck driver’s negligent behavior for not maintaining an appropriate distance while following the passenger vehicle and medical records substantiated the claim regarding the injuries suffered.
Case Study 2: Delivery Truck Accident
Overview of the case: A delivery truck hit a car at an intersection, resulting in severe damage to the car and injury to the occupants.
Challenges: The delivery company insisted that the car had run a red light in an attempt to shift blame.
Solutions: Medical documents supported the injuries claimed, and footage from traffic cameras confirmed that the delivery truck, indeed, failed to stop at the red light.
Conclusion
Know what to do after a truck accident and how to maintain your legal rights and get the payment you are entitled to. With this guide as well as the steps offered and the medical record reviews detailed in the guide, you should be able to cope with the aftermath of a truck accident. We recommend that you seek the help of an experienced lawyer who can guide you in your recovery efforts.
