What To Do Immediately After a Truck Accident in Texas

Truck accidents can be chaotic and overwhelming. In the minutes after your accident, you may not be able to think straight, let alone figure out your next steps. 

However, the minutes after your truck accident are incredibly valuable because they are critical for documenting and collecting evidence to show what really happened. Using this time wisely can assist your truck accident case and ultimately increase your chances of success in an insurance claim or lawsuit. 

So what should you do immediately after being injured in a truck accident in Texas? Follow the steps below to gather evidence to support your case after a truck accident, then consult a Texas truck accident lawyer for personalized assistance with your accident case. 

Move to Safety, If Possible

Your first order of business should be to move your vehicle to safety if it is still driveable. If it’s not, and you’re able to exit the vehicle safely, do so and move to the shoulder or away from traffic. 

If you can’t exit your car safely, keep your seatbelt on and wait for someone to assist you. It’s important at all times to ensure your personal safety. 

Request an Officer 

Calling the police after any car accident is a good idea, but especially after a truck accident. These collisions can produce severe damage and significantly disrupt traffic, and you need at least one police officer present to prevent further damage and investigate what occurred.

As soon as you’re able to, call your local Texas police department or dial 911 to request an officer. Remember to start your call by stating your location. Help won’t be able to arrive until you’ve specified where you are. Try to stay calm and answer all of the questions asked by the dispatcher. 

Most likely, the police officer will create a report detailing the accident circumstances and who was at fault. This report is invaluable because the insurance adjuster will likely use it to determine the outcome of the insurance claim, if any. 

Undergo Medical Treatment

Immediately after the accident, you may be in shock and not notice injuries or pain. Because of this, it is not uncommon for people to find themselves suffering significant pain and injuries that they did not notice at first. Therefore, getting evaluated by medical professionals is critical. You should seek medical attention as soon as possible. You want to make sure that you aren’t overlooking potentially serious injuries. Furthermore, treating all injuries as soon as possible can prevent them from worsening.

Seeking medical attention can also help you maximize your compensation from an insurance claim or lawsuit. You’ll have proof of your injuries and your medical bills, which your Texas truck accident lawyer can use to assist in maximizing the value of your case.

Take Photos and Collect Evidence

It is likely that a towing company will arrive at the accident scene to move your vehicles. As a result, you need to preserve the evidence as well as you can by taking pictures of the accident scene. Your photos can help the insurance company reconstruct the accident to determine who was at fault. Once the tow truck moves the vehicles, this valuable evidence will be lost.

Of course, taking photos may not be doable if you’re in the back of an ambulance and experiencing significant pain. If you can’t snap the photos yourself, try to ask a bystander or witness to take them for you. 

Additionally, if possible, you should ask for any witnesses to give you their contact information before you leave the scene. You may need them to testify down the road. 

Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Texas

Truck accident claims for an injury or wrongful death can get complicated quickly, as trucking companies do everything in their power to disprove their liability for the accident. You can assume that the truck company will have professional legal representation on its side to make you look like you were at fault.

Don’t jeopardize your case by attempting to pursue compensation alone; instead, rely on the experienced truck accident attorneys at FCHC Law to assist you. Call 806-763-9377 for a free case evaluation with a Texas truck accident lawyer at Fadduol Cluff Hardy & Conaway P.C.