If you have been in an accident that involved a commercial semi-truck, things following an accident might likely be looking a little different than a standard vehicle accident. While some of the basic steps about determining fault and the extent of the damage and injuries are similar, some key differences are essential to understand as you navigate your case. Of course, one of the most important steps you can take is to protect yourself and contact an experienced Deerfield beach truck accident attorney today to help guide you through the process.

Immediate Steps Following a Semi-Truck Accident in Deerfield Beach

Immediately following an accident, many people have a number of emotions, and it can be hard to follow the right steps. Making a mistake in the moments following an accident can result in further injury or difficulty in receiving compensation for your accident. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how to handle an accident before it ever happens.

Ensure You and Others are Safe Following a Truck Crash

First, you need to make sure that you and anybody around you are safe before leaving your vehicle. If you are injured, make sure that you seek emergency medical help immediately and avoid moving to prevent further damage. However, if the scene is safe and you are still able to get out of your vehicle and survey the scene, it is essential to contact the police. In addition, it is a good idea to collect information from the other parties involved in the accident. Specifically, try and get photographs of the damage to the vehicles and their license plates so they can later be identified.

Finding Truck Accident Witnesses

Many accidents that involve a commercial truck also attract more bystanders and witnesses than standard fender benders. If this is the case, try and collect the contact information of people who saw the accident. Witnesses are frequently a critical part of a case because they don’t have anything to gain by assigning blame to either party, but their information can be valuable.

Protecting Your Legal Rights After a Truck Crash

Never admit guilt for an accident. Although you may believe that an accident was partly your responsibility, it is best to say less at the scene. Instead, focus on the big issues, is anyone hurt? Are there any witnesses? Has someone called the police?

If you have already admitted guilt, it can be challenging to overcome your admission in the legal system without overwhelming evidence even if the accident was not completely your fault.

When commercial vehicles are involved in an accident, blame can also be assigned to the commercial company, the truck manufacturer, the shipping company that loaded the truck before the accident, or the truck driver.

How to Make a Compelling Truck Accident Case

If you are getting started on building your 18-wheeler accident case, you can do a few specific things to help tilt the odds in your favor:

• Review all of the information you can get your hands on. This includes the police reports, truck information, photos or videos of the accident, and any statements from witnesses.
• Compile your information. Track down all of your medical bills, get doctor statements, repair bills, rental car fees, hours of missed work, and any pay stubs that were impacted by the accident or your treatment.
• Build a list of all of the potentially liable companies and their insurance carriers.

Of course, once you compile this information, you may also find that the trucking company or other potentially liable companies have their fleet of attorneys that are working to protect their interests at your expense.

Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer in Deerfield Beach

Contact Waring Law today if you are looking for a Deerfield Beach personal injury attorney with the care and experience to represent you and get the settlement you deserve. We work hard to ensure that our clients get the support they deserve. We work on contingency, so we only get paid when you win your case! Call (954) 388-0646 or fill out our contact form today to schedule your free consultation!