The biggest mistakes drivers make after experiencing a truck accident include failing to gather information and evidence at the accident scene. It’s easy to take pictures with your phone or record video footage. Photos and videos confirm the damage of any vehicles involved in the accident, and you can save time by photographing all the relevant license plates.
As we all know, commercial trucks can weigh more than 20 tons. According to state and federal regulations, that makes upkeep and maintenance critical duties of care. Imagine the force that a 20-ton truck traveling 70 mph generates. If you were involved in such a collision, you need to stay calm and do everything the law tells you to do.
According to the information published by the NHTSA, the latest safety equipment upgrades can also result in advantages if the accident case goes trial. For example, you could prove the recent installation of an advanced air brake system that reduces stopping distance by 30%.
Other mistakes to avoid after a truck accident include the following errors of judgment:
Leaving the Scene Without Communicating with Police
It’s important to communicate with both the police and other involved drivers. Regardless of being scared or angry, you have a duty of care as a professional driver to avoid extreme emotion. Notify the police before seeking medical attention if possible. Leaving the scene is a crime, and you might face criminal sanctions.
That doesn’t mean you have to discuss with the other driver or witnesses who was at fault or other privileged information. Just include the basics of your name, name of the company, contact information, and insurance information. Keep your description of the accident as short as possible so that you don’t inadvertently reveal anything about your legal strategy.
Failing to Gather Information
If there are no serious injuries that send you to the hospital, you should take your time to gather as much information as possible at the scene of the accident. Make notes about the damage to your vehicle, any weather-related issues, and the road conditions. Ensure you record panoramic views of the scene and damage to the vehicles.
The photos can confirm any weather problems. Take the contact information of other drivers, and back up the information with photos of license plates, driver’s licenses, vehicle damage, etc.
Failing to Seek Medical Attention
If you only have minor injuries, it’s common to ignore them based on all that’s going on at the time. If possible, you must secure your vehicle and cargo, and minor injuries don’t seem very important. However, minor injuries often result in major symptoms and expenses later.
Go to a doctor’s office or hospital to confirm your injuries, discover hidden trauma, and get an internal checkup. The medical records of your visit comprise critical documentation. Don’t refuse any offers of transport to the hospital because emergency service providers or police officers have enough experience to recommend transport in cases where it appears to be needed.
Failure to Track Expenses
Failure to keep track of any expenses after the accident could result in not being reimbursed for expenses like tow trucks, repairs made to keep your vehicle running, and dozens of miscellaneous expenses. In addition, keep records of all medical treatments, prescription drugs, physical therapy, and medical equipment you had to use after the accident.
Accepting a Quick Settlement Offer
Fueled on adrenaline and worried about what happens next, you’re unable to make major decisions about your case. You might worry about the financial costs of the accident, but don’t accept any insurance company offer before discussing it with your attorney. Instead, your Ohio truck accident claim needs to be thoroughly studied by an expert legal team.
You might receive a dated letter offering a settlement with a request to sign it to prove that you saw the offer. Don’t sign anything. Insurance companies prey on inexperienced drivers by offering low-ball settlements that don’t begin to cover all your expenses.
Failing to File Your Lawsuit on Time
The Ohio Statute of Limitations for vehicle injury lawsuits is usually two years from the accident date. Missing the deadline can happen easily when you’re recovering from an injury. If you miss the filing deadline, the courts in Ohio won’t consider your case. Contact and hire an attorney to ensure your case meets all necessary deadlines.
Hiring an Attorney
It’s very important to hire an attorney to help negotiate all that’s involved in a truck accident. There could easily be wrongful death lawsuits, testing for drugs and alcohol, and multiple defendants sharing responsibility for the accident. In addition, you need an attorney whether a car driver hit you or if you collided with another traffic participant. In some cases, your lawyer will investigate the truck company you work for. Finally, it is sometimes possible to sue it in a civil lawsuit if it was responsible for your accident.
With a BA in communications and paralegal experience, Irma decided to make the best of her writing skills. She decided to turn complicated legal matters into something more palatable for the masses. Therefore, Irma became a law communicator who writes about everyday problems so everyone can understand them and take the appropriate action. She specialized in personal injury cases, as they are more common than anyone thinks, but her areas of expertise also include civil law, criminal law, insurance-related issues, and more.
