What To Do If You’ve Been Hit By A Truck, And How We Can Help
Have you been hit by a truck and wondering what to do next? Call A Personal Injury Attorney that specializes in trucking accidents. (May 16th 2018)
Truck accidents are on the rise due to drowsiness from overworked drivers, speeding, driving under the influence of drink or drugs, and even improperly packed trailers. Although regulations are in place to ensure truck drivers get an appropriate amount of breaks and time to sleep, studies find that drivers are ignoring these regulations in order increase their productivity. In an era where online shopping has exploded in nearly all industries, truck drivers are more likely to speed and skip breaks in order to meet shipping deadlines and deliver all their packages. Increased home delivery also means increased truck traffic, which raises the likelihood of an accident involving a truck.
The first thing to do after a truck accident is to make sure everyone is okay. How do you feel? Do you have any passengers? Are they hurt? Don’t move anyone who has neck or back pain as such pain could be a sign of a spinal injury. Call emergency services for anyone who is injured, and then call the police. When the police arrive, ask them to file a police report. Don’t make any apologies to anyone about what happened, as often the cause of an accident is ambiguous and you don’t want to inadvertently admit guilt. Take pictures of the damage to your vehicle so your insurance adjuster knows how much compensation you need for your car.
Trucks are usually affiliated with a company that is bound to specific state and federal regulations. If any of those regulations have been violated by or relating to the truck driver, the company will likely be held liable. These regulations include appropriate licensing of drivers, obeying traffic laws, driver work hours, keeping yearly records of driver performance, and testing for substance abuse. Trucking companies are often successfully sued for negligence on any of these issues.
At Weinstein, Chase, Messinger & Peters, we make it our priority to fight for every bit of compensation to which you are entitled after a truck accident. It is important for you to document all damages incurred at the site of the accident, as well as keep all medical records relating to any injuries you have sustained. In addition, document any loss of wages you experience for work missed while you are healing, especially if you are unable to return to work at all due to your injuries. We consult with life care planners to determine the extent of costs related to your injuries, including home care, physical therapy, and lowered quality of life.
Contact us before you call any insurance companies so we can make sure you don’t get taken advantage of. The statute of limitations in New York for collecting compensation due to truck accidents is three years, so don’t wait to give us a call.
