Whether you have been injured by a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, bus, or some other commercial vehicle, there are critical steps you should take immediately to preserve your personal injury claims.
Evidence of Truck Accident or Truck Wreck Scene
Immediately after a truck accident or a truck wreck, you or someone on your behalf (such as a truck accident lawyer) should gather as much evidence as possible. Besides license and insurance information, you should try to gather other information such as: the name of the trucking company and all Department of Transportation (DOT) numbers on the truck AND the trailer, as they may be different; the names of any advertisements on the truck that might identify who the truck was carrying cargo for.
Find Witnesses
In addition to identifying the owner, operators, and responsible parties for the truck, try to obtain any witness information that may be available. Likewise, try to determine if there are any nearby stores that may have video surveillance cameras.
Take Photos
Take as many photographs of the truck accident scene as possible from different angles and perspectives. Even if the photos are taken with a cell phone camera, they can be particularly valuable. When taking photographs, pictures of skid marks, or lack thereof, can be very helpful. Also, taking pictures of the damages can assist truck accident lawyers in establishing the significance of the impact.
Immediately Seek Medical Care and Follow the Doctor’s Instructions
In addition to establishing who is at fault in a truck accident, truck accident lawyers will need to establish the extent of your personal injuries. The primary method for a truck accident lawyer to establish your personal injuries is through medical records and medical testimonies.
Consequently, if you are injured, you should immediately seek medical treatment. It is important to not only seek timely treatment, but to follow your doctor’s instructions. If you do not follow your doctor’s instructions, then many insurance adjusters and potentially judges or juries will interpret that failure to follow instructions as your admission that your injuries no longer exist. To avoid this challenge and increase the chances of getting better the quickest, carefully follow your doctor’s care.
Do Not Give Any Statements, Written or Oral, Recorded or Otherwise, without First Consulting with a Truck Accident Lawyer
At some point in our lives, almost all of us have seen our words twisted or misused. When you have been involved in a truck accident, it is important that your record and version of the events are clear and interpreted accurately. As such, it is critical that you don’t give any statements to anyone without first consulting a truck accident attorney. A truck accident attorney will make sure that your statements are not only clearly interpreted, but also truthful, accurate, and helpful to your case.
How long do you have to File a Suit for a Truck Accident?
Evidence starts disappearing as soon as the vehicles are moved at the accident scene, so it is never wise to delay hiring a truck accident attorney. Typically, the sooner you get someone on your side, the better off you will be.
In California, you generally have two years to file a lawsuit for personal injuries. However, there are many statutes and laws that shorten that time period, some to as little as six months. The time period that you have to file a lawsuit is often referred to as the Statute of Limitations. In most situations, if you are one day late on the Statute of Limitations, your case is forever barred. Consequently, you should never delay in seeking advise from a truck accident attorney in Sacramento following a truck wreck.
