What Should I Do If I’m in an Accident with a Truck?
Collisions between cars and trucks often involve serious injuries or fatalities. If you are physically able, call the police and document the aftermath of the accident by taking photos of the scene. The New York City car accident lawyers at Douglas & London understand that your world has turned upside down– you are worried about the changes in your life regarding mobility, employment, and caring for family members.
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You should obtain legal counsel as soon as possible. We will hold those parties responsible for the accident accountable and help you receive the compensation you deserve.
Document the Accident
If possible, along with taking photos or videos of the accident, get the contact information of any eyewitnesses. You must also obtain the driver’s license and insurance company of the trucker, as well as the name of the company who owns the vehicle.
Record or write down your memories of the crash immediately. Trying to remember what happened, later on, may not be as useful.
When it comes to settlement negotiations or a trial, documentation is critical. Even though you have just been through an accident, the more documentation you can provide for your personal injury lawyer, the better.
Seek Medical Attention
Because these injuries are usually severe, most people end up in the emergency room. However, you may think you were lucky to survive such a collision– which is true– and may not believe you were hurt. Many injuries are not apparent right away, and seeking prompt medical attention is crucial.
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Failure to receive a prompt medical examination will hurt your claim, as the insurance company may allege the injuries did not result from the accident.
Trucking Regulations and Liability for Truck Accidents
Tractor-trailers are heavily regulated on both the federal and state level. Your attorney will review the logs kept by the company and the truckers to see if the drivers were on the road more than the maximum number of hours, or any other violation.
Further, some trucking companies do not train their employees correctly, taking shortcuts or allowing drivers they know are substandard behind the wheel. They must also ensure their vehicles are in good working order while on the road.
Maintenance records should also reveal any potential issues with the vehicle, as well as whether it was overdue for repair or recently had work done. In the latter case, it is possible the repair was not done correctly and may have been a factor in the accident.
Also, the multiple parties often involved in these lawsuits may include not only the driver and trucking company, but repair shops and perhaps the manufacturer. Your personal injury attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to determine which parties are potentially liable.
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Negligence in Truck Accident Cases
Proving that the truck driver or the trucking company was negligent is essential in your claim. Truck drivers may cause accidents due to various causes, including:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Following too closely
- Improper passing
- Not checking blind spots
- Speeding
- Unsafe lane changes
Finally, a truck driver may not prove 100 percent liable. If you were the victim of a rollover or jackknifed truck– it is probable that there were issues with the freight. It may not have been secured properly, or the weight was not correctly balanced. Liability, in this case, would then include the freight company.
Contact a New York Car Accident Lawyer
If you were seriously injured in a truck accident, contact the skilled and experienced New York City personal injury lawyers at Douglas & London. Submit our online form or call or text us 24/7 to arrange a free consultation. Since trucking companies often have powerful attorneys and insurance companies working for them, it is imperative to find a lawyer with the experience to negotiate with them. At Douglas & London, our lawyers have recovered more than $18 billion in settlements and verdicts for clients. Once you have good legal representation in place, you can focus on your recuperation. There is never a fee unless we win compensation. Hablamos Español.
