Truck accident victims often suffer serious injuries. However, many of them lose out on the compensation they badly need and deserve. This is because they don’t take the right steps after the crash. If you ever get involved in an accident involving a truck in Fayetteville, you need to contact our Fayetteville truck accident attorneys. You may not think you’ll need to file an insurance claim at that point but it’s best to be prepared for such an eventuality. Here are some of the ways in which you can protect your rights.
Get Prompt Medical Attention
You need to see a doctor as soon as possible. If the accident appears serious, someone is likely to call 911 and request an ambulance. When the emergency medical technicians arrive, let them examine you, treat you, and take you to the hospital if necessary. If it’s not necessary for an ambulance to come to the scene, you should still seek medical attention.
This is a good idea after any vehicular accident but it’s especially necessary after a truck crash. Even if you’re not immediately aware of it, you could have serious injuries. Also, liability in truck accidents can get complicated. If you don’t have strong evidence that you suffered injuries in the accident, this will be an added problem.
Gather as Much Information as You Can
There’s some evidence you’ll need to collect. You’ll need to grab some of it immediately if you’re physically able. For example, you should take pictures of the vehicles involved, clearly showing the damage. You should also try to capture the road conditions and any damage to stationary objects.
If there are eyewitnesses, ask them if they would be willing to give you their contact information. Their accounts of what happened could help your case. You should also write down everything you can recall about the accident at the earliest opportunity. Finally, you need to get a copy of the police report and keep all documentation relating to your injuries.
Contact an Attorney at the Earliest Opportunity
If you want the best possible chance of getting fair compensation for your injuries, you need to contact a Fayetteville truck accident attorney. Recovering damages following a serious crash is rarely as simple as just submitting an insurance claim. In addition, you may not even be aware of all the damages to which you’re entitled.
Your attorney will thoroughly investigate the crash to prove that another party was at fault. They’ll also help you to accurately quantify your losses and gather all the evidence you need to build a strong claim. Dealing with insurance companies and all the other players involved in a truck accident can be very difficult. Instead of trying to navigate the system on your own, it’s best to contact an attorney.
In fact, you should contact a lawyer even if you aren’t entirely sure that you have a strong case. Personal injury attorneys offer prospective clients a free initial consultation. You should take advantage of this and get the perspective of a legal expert. It’s important that you talk to a lawyer before you sign anything the insurance company puts in front of you. No matter what the insurance adjuster says, they aren’t looking out for you.
Potential Defendants Following a Truck Accident
Very often, truck accidents occur because of something the driver did. Like other motorists, truckers can speed, drive while intoxicated, drive while fatigued or ignore traffic signals. However, you shouldn’t automatically assume that the driver is liable or solely liable.
Trucking companies, cargo companies, and repair shops can also be held responsible depending on the circumstances. Some trucking companies allow drivers to use unsafe trucks or push drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines. Cargo companies can overload vehicles or load them badly and send them on the road. Repair shops may do shoddy work on a vehicle or use inferior parts that cause the vehicle to malfunction.
Regardless of who was responsible for the crash, you should be able to claim a range of damages including:
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
Of course, you’ll need to prove that you suffered the losses you intend to claim. Your attorney will assist you in gathering the necessary evidence and presenting a solid case.
Get in Touch with the Law Office of Jason M. Hartfield P.A. Today
Call our team of truck accident lawyers in Fayetteville and schedule a free case review. Your injuries are likely to be serious, so you need to act quickly. We work on a contingency basis, so you won’t have to pay any fees until we get compensation for you. Contact us today!