AFTER A SEMI-TRUCK ACCIDENT, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
Big truck driving on the highway. Involved in Truck Accident.
In the unfortunate event that you are involved in a truck accident in Colorado Springs, knowing what to do in the hours and days ahead is critical. An experienced truck accident attorney will help you navigate making a truck accident claim.
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Do This After Being Involved in Trucking Accident
One of the most critical things you can do immediately after a Colorado Springs trucking accident is to make sure you and any passengers in your car are safe. If feasible, check to see if the truck driver and everyone involved in the collision has gone to a safer position in multi-vehicle accidents.
All cars should be parked as far to the side of the road as practicable. The last thing anybody wants to happen after an accident is hit by other vehicles on the road. After you’ve dealt with these two difficulties, you may go on to the next step:
1. CALL 9-1-1
When calling 911, be sure to inform the dispatcher where the accident occurred. Many mobile phones now have mapping functions that tell you where you are if you are on a new route. Any additional risks, such as leaking gasoline, broken telephone poles or trees, or if any cars stay in the route, should be reported to the dispatcher.
Avoid describing the event directly; instead, inform the dispatcher of the number of victims and whether their injuries seem significant so that medical personnel can determine what rescue equipment is required. Don’t trust that the truck driver is contacting police. They are probably contacting the trucking company first. The police should put together an accident report. They will always take extra precautions with fatal crashes
2. SPEAK WITH THE AUTHORITIES ON THE SITE
When police officers arrive on the scene, they will ask everyone involved a series of questions. You should recount the truck crash without assigning or accepting responsibility, supply them with any necessary facts, and be cautious when characterizing anyone’s participation in the event.
You should also acquire the officer’s contact information, including his or her badge number, from the officer taking the report. If the accident report has a number attached to it, make a note of it.
3. GATHER INFORMATION ON THE SPOT
Obtaining information from the other driver and witnesses at the site and documenting the situation is one of the most critical things you can do. All of the drivers involved should supply you with their complete contact information, as well as their license numbers, plate numbers, and insurance information.
Because it was a truck accident in Colorado Springs, you may also want to find out who the commercial truck driver’s employer is. Take photographs of the situation whenever possible, including the state of the cars, road signs, images of the persons involved in an accident involving tractor trailers or a commercial vehicle, and anything else that seems important. If you cannot execute these steps yourself, you may have a witness do so for you.
4. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
Even if you think your injuries from a truck collision are minor, you should still seek medical help. This is critical since you may not notice any symptoms right away. Ascertain that everyone you visit is aware that you were in a truck accident so that he or she may assess if extra tests or x-rays are required to assure your safety.
5. GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR INSURANCE PROVIDER
When interacting with an insurance adjuster, employ care, particularly if you live in a state with no-fault insurance rules. Only include the essential details regarding the collision, such as when and where it happened, the names of any other drivers involved, and the injuries you’ve incurred (as diagnosed by a doctor). Don’t comment on the severity of your injuries, the damage to your automobile, or how the accident happened. This will be crucial later because the insurance company may utilize any information you provide to disprove your claim.
6. SEEK LEGAL COUNSEL
You should speak with a lawyer who has expertise in defending truck accident victims. A truck accident lawyer will offer you a free consultation to discuss your legal options under the rules of your state. This might be crucial if you decide to pursue a lawsuit against the other person responsible for the accident.
COLORADO SPRINGS TRUCK ACCIDENTS AND NO-FAULT STATUTES
In no-fault jurisdictions, truck accident victims are often misled that they have no choice but to accept the level of personal injury protection (PIP) coverage available under their insurance. This, however, is not correct.
In Colorado you are not required to have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL) coverage, but neither would likely cover all of your expenditures in the case of a truck accident. Many nearby states do require it.
In reality, PIP only covers 80% of medical expenditures up to $10,000, which may not be enough to cover all of your costs. No need to assign guilt to collect cash under your PIP coverage since no-fault means exactly what it states.
In a no-fault jurisdiction, your choices for filing a personal injury case may seem restricted. However, there are certain scenarios in which you may be able to sue for extra medical bills, missed work time, and damages, including pain and suffering. Insurance companies and trucking companies will do everything they can to protect their bottom line, especially in large truck crashes and fatal truck crashes.
Those who have been seriously injured in a truck accident might bring a personal injury lawsuit against the truck driver and the trucking company. The following are examples of serious injuries:
- Broken bones
- Aesthetic impairment (including life-long scarring)
- Restrictions on the use of any bodily component
- Injuries that will keep you out of work for at least 90 days
Whether you’re not sure if your injuries fulfill this criterion, a personal injury lawyer can answer your questions and help you figure out the best course of action in your case.
TRUCKING ACCIDENT INJURIES
Colorado Springs tractor trailer accidents are, by definition, more hazardous than collisions involving two automobiles. This is because commercial trucks is substantially bigger than the majority of other cars on the road. Passenger cars simply have no way to measure up to large trucks, literally and figuratively.
Trucks weigh conventional vehicles by up to ten times even when they aren’t carrying a full load. Trucking company will routinely overload their tractor trailer. When empty, a tractor-trailer weighs between 20,000 and 26,000 pounds, but a conventional vehicle weighs between 2,400 and 5,000 pounds.
Because of this weight discrepancy, the injuries that a vehicle passenger or driver may sustain in the event of a truck collision might be severe.
Broken Bones
When a vehicle is involved, even a seemingly small rear-end incident might result in fractured bones. Because of the power of the hit, your body will be pushed forward in this sort of accident, which might result in broken ribs, arms, or legs.
Injuries That Are Crushing
There are greater risks of getting crushed in a commercial truck accident regardless of where the vehicle collides with the automobile. In a side-impact crash, a driver or passenger might be thrown sideways and crushed by the doors or the vehicle frame. Multiple surgical treatments may be required to restore the damage, and in the most catastrophic instances, death may follow.
Injuries to the Back and Neck
Passengers and drivers in motor vehicle accidents are at risk for back and neck injuries. Accidents may cause cervical disc ruptures, leaving patients in excruciating agony for the rest of their lives. In the most catastrophic instances, these injuries may need surgery or leave sufferers with long-term mobility limitations.
Head Injuries from a Traumatic Event (TBI)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle accidents cause 20% of TBIs in the United States (CDC). TBI victims may have paralysis, visual and hearing problems, and even personality changes that last a lifetime. Passenger vehicle drivers are highly vulnerable to the scale of a commercial truck.
These are just a few of the injuries that a truck accident victim may suffer at the hands of truck drivers. A person may also suffer burns if the vehicle is transporting hazardous items. After a truck accident, victims may have to change their whole way of life. The accident scene is not limited to where you sustained injuries.
DETERMINING FAULT IN TRUCK ACCIDENTS IS DIFFICULT
When you’re in a two-car collision, you’re typically either at blame, or the other driver is. Truck accidents, on the other hand, are significantly more complicated. Truck drivers routinely drive impaired, drive distracted, and with little care for others.. In a truck collision, someone other than the truck driver may be at blame in the following scenarios:
A Faulty Brake System
While the driver may be at blame for driving at a dangerous speed, if the truck’s brakes fail, the brake manufacturer may be held accountable, the driver’s employer may be held liable for failing to maintain the vehicle, or the firm or person in charge of the vehicle’s maintenance may be held liable.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets rigorous rules on how long a truck driver may travel without stopping for a break.
Driver Distractions
If trucking companies advises their truck drivers to break these guidelines due to a deadline, the employer may be held accountable for any accidents caused by the driver driving while tired. Employers are responsible for ensuring that drivers are informed of state laws surrounding the use of electronic devices such as mobile phones while driving. Poorly trained drivers may be held liable, but they may also be held liable if their employers get inadequate training.
Improperly Balanced Loads or Overloading
The driver, the person or corporation responsible for the loading, or the employer may be held accountable if a truck overturns due to overloading or incorrectly balanced goods. Our law firm has experienced truck accident lawyers ready to take these issues on. The insurance adjuster will never keep your best interests from and center.
Other Situations Involving Several Culpable Parties Are Also Possible
Working with a lawyer with a track record of successfully handling personal injury claims involving truck accidents is the only way to ensure that the appropriate persons are held accountable. You should work closely with an attorney rather than trying to bargain with many insurance company adjusters on your own due to the number of parties who may share the blame. Keep in mind that insurance adjusters want to reduce their financial risk as much as possible, and the easiest way to do so is to reject claims.
DAMAGES YOU CAN GET AFTER A COLORADO SPRINGS TRUCK ACCIDENT
Truck accident victims often want to know how much their claim is worth after their car crash. Keep in mind that every truck accident claim is unique. The severity of your injuries, the length of time you will be out of work, the level of required medical treatment, and the possible loss of mobility or freedom of movement you may experience due to your injuries are all relevant variables.
Maintain a record of your physical and emotional health after a medical expert analyses you after your vehicle accident. This file should include information on all doctor appointments, including mileage and results, changes in your physical condition, mental difficulties (such as increasing depression), and your financial circumstances, including any compensation you may get from work for disability payments.
You should provide your attorney with all of this information since it will be vital in calculating the possible damages.
There is no way to answer all of your questions about a truck accident unless you have an attorney who is familiar with all of the problems involved. While it’s normal that you’re worried about your financial future after a truck accident, you should take advantage of a free consultation and trust that a truck accident lawyer will handle your case on a contingency basis.
This means that you will not be accountable for any legal costs until a truck accident lawyer successfully obtains compensation in your case. Make an appointment with a truck accident lawyer immediately to get your case examined for free and ensure that your rights are protected.
