A Handy Guide on How to Hold a Negligent Truck Driver Accountable for Your Injuries

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Holding people accountable for their actions is important in life in general. However, when it comes to truck accidents, it’s even more so. Because of their size, trucks pose a great danger on the road, and to prevent accidents, truck drivers have to be more careful than most other motorists. This is why it’s important to know what you can do to hold them accountable – and there are some steps you can take.

1. Contact A Lawyer

The first person you should call in the event of a truck accident is an attorney. Because they are experts when it comes to crashes with big rigs, their job would be to make sure that the negligent party will be held accountable for your injuries. As an experienced commercial truck accidents lawyer from Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C notes, in order to hold someone accountable for your injuries, you have to prove not only negligence but also liability. When it comes to commercial trucks, it’s not always clear who the liable party is. It could be the driver himself, but also the company he works for, the business that leases the trucks, the people responsible for maintaining the vehicles, as well as the truck manufacturer. Apart from that, unlike regular car accidents, chances are that a company the truck driver works for will already have an established legal team, which is why it’s important that you have someone that knows the law and that will fight for your rights on your side as well.

2. Gather Evidence

As a general rule, the more evidence you have, the easier it is to prove a case. While taking pictures of your injuries, the damage done to your vehicle, as well as the accident scene in large may seem like common sense now, people react differently in high-stress situations, which is why it’s important to underline this step. Apart from taking photos, make sure you save all paperwork related to your medical treatment, insurance payments, lost wages, and everything else that you could use as evidence later on. By doing so, not only will it be easier for a law firm to prove a truck accident case, but you’ll also increase your chances of getting the proper compensation in a settlement, or in court if it comes to it.

3. Report It

Reporting the accident to the police as soon as it happens is one of the best ways to ensure the negligent party will be held accountable. Apart from that, reporting an accident is a legal obligation in most states. In other words, leaving the scene of an accident is against the law. When talking to the police and medical staff on the scene, it’s important that you provide details of what happened, as well as how you’re feeling. If you experience nausea, any physical injuries that can be treated on the spot, or strong pain – don’t hesitate to let the authorities know and get the medical assistance you need.

4. Take Proactive Steps

While you are still in the midst of dealing with everything, it’s important to take some proactive steps towards your recovery. Apart from seeing a doctor, and contacting a lawyer, taking steps to reduce your monthly payments of an existing auto loan, or even taking out a loan in order to be able to get around is important. By doing things that will help you get back to your normal routine as soon as possible, you’ll make things easier for yourself and your family. Aside from that, it will show that while you’re more than willing to move on, the accident has caused a disturbance in your status quo, which is why you’re taking steps to get compensated.

TruckClaiming personal injury compensation after a truck accident is important in order to ensure you have the means to focus on making a full recovery. At the same time, holding negligent truck drivers accountable not only deters them from causing future accidents but also ensures they meet the state’s standards when it comes to road safety.

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of The World Financial Review.