Being involved in an accident with a huge commercial vehicle like a semi truck can be a frightening experience for all involved. That said, it is perfectly understandable for accident victims to have questions after an accident, particularly if it involved a huge commercial truck.
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a truck accident, you are encouraged to seek legal guidance from a skilled Naples truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Time is of the essence in these types of cases, and it is important for you to know and understand your rights and legal options so you can make informed decisions with regard to your specific situation.
The following commonly-asked questions and answers are provided to help accident victims as they begin to research their options. The information provided here is not meant to replace or substitute information that a skilled accident lawyer can provide after hearing specific information about your incident. Contact Ryan Kuhl today if you have any questions or concerns about your case.
What Causes Truck Accidents?
There are any number of reasons for truck crashes. However, some of the more common reasons include driver fatigue, driver distraction, alcohol and/or drug use, poor driving conditions, driver inexperience, brake and/or tire failure and mechanical malfunctions, just to name a few.
What Are the Common Types of Truck Collisions?
Quite often, we hear of lane change truck crashes, rollover accidents, jackknife incidents, rear-end and head-on crashes and even hit-and-run incidents.
What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?
As in all types of accidents, there are a number of things that you, as the victim, should do after an accident. The most important thing to do is contact law enforcement to report the accident. If you and/or others are injured, be sure to call 911 and seek medical attention right away. Above all, your health and wellbeing should be the top priority in such situations.
Even if you “feel okay,” you should be seen by a doctor, as some injuries may not be visible to the untrained, naked eye. Additionally, seeking medical treatment will ensure that any injuries caused by the accident are properly documented, should your case go to court.
If you are able, you should also jot down notes and take pictures of the accident scene as soon as possible. Taking notes will help you recall the incident more thoroughly at a later time since some people’s memories can fade as time passes. If you or a passenger has a cell phone with camera capabilities, pictures of the scene will be very important in helping to demonstrate what actually happened. It will also help identify the roadway and weather conditions on that particular day, the location of the vehicles involved, as well as the license plate numbers.
The Trucker’s Insurer Has Contacted Me. Should I Speak With Them?
No, you should not speak with anyone about the incident, except for law enforcement who will likely have some questions for you at the scene. Even then, it is crucial that you only answer the questions asked of you — do not volunteer any additional information or facts that you might think are important.
Sure, it may be tempting to try to resolve the accident on your own by accepting the first settlement offer that comes your way; however, you are encouraged to work with a capable attorney who has experience handling truck accident cases and will ensure that you obtain the proper compensation to which you may be entitled. Contact Attorney Ryan Kuhl today.