Individuals who have been involved in a truck accident can suffer major injuries that will affect them for the rest of their lives. Due to the massive size of semis and 18 wheelers, truck accidents often inflict catastrophic injuries on the individuals involved, such as spinal cord fractures, amputations, brain injuries, or burns. Many of the catastrophic injuries inflicted in truck accidents can result in death. Catastrophic injuries suffered in a truck accident may also force victims and their families to face significant financial strain, often due to lost wages or costly medical bills. As a result, truck accident victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for any damages they suffered. At Queller, Fisher, Washor, Fuchs & Kool, our New York truck accident lawyers have been defending the rights of accident victims for over 50 years. Our personal injury attorneys understand the emotional, physical, and financial pain that a truck accident can inflict on victims and their families. We’ll do everything in our power to expedite the legal process and get our clients the compensation they may deserve. There are many things you need to do if you have been involved in an accident with a truck.
As a quick guide, these are the Top 5 things you should do if you are in a truck accident:
1. Make sure that everybody involved is safe and, if not, call 911 immediately. Trucks are very heavy motor vehicles and a truck accident often involves a collision with a tremendous amount of force. Your health and the health of anyone involved in the accident are of the utmost importance and should always be the first priority. You should make sure everyone is safe and take any steps necessary to make sure everyone remains safe following an accident. If you or someone involved is injured, 911 should be called immediately.
2. Call the Police. When the police arrive, tell the police officer what happened as truthfully and accurately as possible. Do not make any guesses and do not speculate. It is better to say that you are not sure about something than guess wrong. If you are injured, tell the Police Officer where you are hurt. Sometimes, injuries are not always apparent at the scene of the accident. If you are not sure if you are hurt, it is better to tell the police officer you are not sure than to say you are not hurt. Also, listen to what the other people at the scene are saying and make sure they are saying things accurately. Tell the police officer if you disagree with what someone is saying. Remember to get all the information about the police officer, precinct, etc. so you can obtain the police report later on.
3. Exchange Information. This is where a truck accident can greatly differ from a car accident. Nowadays, trucks and trucking companies often have “Accident Kits” in the event the truck is involved in an accident. These kits will include a camera, a pre-printed accident report, and instructions for the driver, including how to answer questions from the police and exchange information with other drivers. In addition, truck drivers have direct communications with dispatchers and supervisors who can and will direct them on how to handle an accident. Being aware of these possibilities, it is best for you to be on your guard with your answers and communicate through the police. If the truck driver is stating something that is blatantly incorrect, let the police know. You should also take pictures of the damage if you have the ability to do so prior to leaving the scene. Sometimes, a trucking company representative will come to the scene of the accident and conduct their own investigation, which often involves an attempt to shift the blame away from the truck driver. Again, it is important to be mindful of the training and intention of both the truck driver and any representative. If the police do not come, it is important to get the full names, addresses and telephone numbers of all people involved. If there were witnesses, it is critical to get their information as well so they can be contacted, if necessary, to verify how the accident occurred.4. Seek Medical Attention. If you are injured or suspect that you might be injured, call an ambulance and go to the Hospital. When injuries occur in a truck accident, often emergency medical treatment is necessary and time may be of the essence in making sure that you receive the necessary and proper treatment for your injuries. The Police will often call the ambulance after assessing the situation. Also, this may become important to document where you have been hurt and the causal relationship between your injuries and the accident.5. Contact an Experienced Attorney. If you are injured in a truck accident, it is critical for you or a family member on your behalf to contact an attorney who specializes in personal injury cases involving automobile accidents. The attorney will be able to conduct a thorough investigation, obtain all documents and photographs, and insure all paperwork is properly filed. This will allow you to do what is most necessary for yourself – recover your health and take care of your injuries without worrying if your rights are adequately protected.
Individuals who have suffered an injury in a truck accident should not hesitate to seek the counsel of an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney. Taking too much time to secure legal counsel can result in a failure to comply with the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is a law that states the amount of time injured individuals have to file a claim following an accident. Failure to file a claim before the statute of limitations expires can result in injured individuals being forever barred from receiving the compensation they may deserve. As a result, it is important that victims of truck accidents take steps to hire an attorney as soon as possible. At Queller, Fisher, Washor, Fuchs & Kool, we understand the time constraints imposed by the statute of limitations. Our lawyers handle all of our clients’ claims in a timely manner to ensure they are eligible to recoup the compensation they may entitled.
For a free consultation with our truck accident lawyers in New York, send an email or call us at (212) 406-1700.
