What To Do If You Have Been In A Trucking Accident
What To Do If You Have Been In A Trucking Accident
The number of trucking crashes across the United States have increased in recent years. Reports indicted that in 2018 there was a 3 percent increase in truck crash fatalities than the year before. There were 4,136 deaths in trucking accidents during 2018, and 67 percent of those fatalities were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles and 15 percent were bicyclists, motorcyclists, or pedestrians.
Trucks are much heavier and larger than traditional passenger vehicles, so when a truck strikes a car, then it is going to cause a lot of damage. These crashes will most likely cause serious injuries. If you have been involved in a trucking accident, you do have resources available to help you. You will need to follow a few steps to preserve evidence and maintain supporting documentation so you can pursue a personal injury claim against the trucking company.
What To Do After A Trucking Crash
If you have been in a trucking crash, you should call the police. You will want to make sure an accident report is filed. Photos of the accident scene and the damages could be very helpful. If you are physically able to do so, get photos with your smartphone. Also, try to get the names of and contact details for any witnesses to the accident.
You should establish medical care right away, so you can show that the injuries you suffered are connected to the trucking crash. You will need to maintain evidence and documentation, such as medical bills, medical records, prescription receipts, proof of missed work and lost wages, and so forth. You will need to be able to show the damages that you suffered because of the trucking crash.
When filing your claim, you should also consider any future medical care or any future loss of earnings that you may experience because of the crash. Your physician will be able to help determine your need for long-term medical care and how your ability to work in the future will be affected because of the accident.
Pursuing A Personal Injury Claim After A Trucking Crash
If you have been injured in a trucking accident, you should enlist the help of a personal injury lawyer who handles trucking crash claims in the Portland-Vancouver metro area. An accident injury attorney will help you determine which damages you suffered and help you calculate a fair settlement for your claim. Common damages include property damages, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent scarring and disfigurement, and mental anguish.
To get a free case review from a Portland-Vancouver metro area personal injury attorney, call the Harlan Law Firm. The Harlan Law Firm has been helping trucking accident victims since 2006. There is a statute of limitations for pursuing a claim, so don’t wait until it is too late to get the help that you need to recover compensation for your losses.