What Should I Do If I Am Involved in a Truck Accident on the Highway?
If your job requires you to travel on the interstate, you have likely come across a number of commercial trucks during your daily commute. In 2022, large trucks contributed to about 120,200 injury-related crashes, an 18% increase from 2016. If you are involved in a truck accident, you are likely to feel frozen, overcome by a mixture of panic and fear.
While completely understandable, you will want to take appropriate measures to protect yourself and your legal rights. In this article, our Florence personal injury lawyer would like to discuss what steps should be taken following a truck accident to preserve your right to pursue compensation.
Move Out of the Way of Traffic
Following your truck accident, if your vehicle can still be driven, pull over to the side of the road. Remaining in the way of traffic puts you at risk of being involved in a secondary collision.
Seek Medical Attention
If you believe that you have been injured, it is paramount that you call 911. Known as the silent killer, internal bleeding is common after truck accidents. Symptoms of internal organ damage involve abdominal distension, lack of bowel sounds, abdominal rigidity, and tenderness when pressure is applied.
Besides saving your life, acquiring immediate medical attention can preserve your ability to recover compensation. If you wait to receive medical attention, the insurance company may claim that your injuries were due to something else.
Call the Police
Under South Carolina automobile law, you are required to call the police if anyone sustains injuries or if there is at least $1,000 in property damage. Do not leave the scene of the accident until the officer arrives. The officer who responds to your call will file a collision report, which you can access in person, online, or by mail.
A collision report will include pertinent details of your accident, including the date/time/location of your accident, the parties involved, and which party the officer believes is at fault. At Swilley Law Firm, LLC, our truck accident lawyer can request this report on your behalf to include as part of your demand package to insurance.
Do Not Admit Fault
Even if you believe that you caused the accident, never admit fault. Admitting fault will prevent you from recovering compensation. Given the complexities of a truck accident, you may think that you caused the crash when the truck driver’s actions are the actual reason for your collision.
Exchange Information
Be sure to exchange your contact and insurance information with the truck driver and any other parties involved in the crash. Since South Carolina is an at-fault state regarding motor vehicle claims, it is important that you take down the name of the insurance carrier and the policy number of the trucking company. This will come in handy later when you need to submit claims to their insurance company.
Contact a Florence Truck Accident Lawyer
Recovering the maximum amount on your bodily injury claim or property damage claim requires competent representation. At Swilley Law Firm, LLC, Attorney Matthew Swilley dedicates a large portion of his practice to helping injury victims recover the compensation they deserve. Do not attempt to negotiate with insurance on your own. If you believe that insurance does not offer you fair compensation, give our firm a call.
A Florence Personal Injury Lawyer with Proven Results
At Swilley Law Firm, LLC, our Florence personal injury lawyer is devoted to helping truck accident victims acquire just compensation. If you or a loved one have recently been involved in a truck accident, do not hesitate to contact us. No case is too big or small. We treat every case with the same importance, regardless of the damages at stake. To schedule your free consultation, contact us online or by phone today.