When you are in a truck accident, what you do right after can make a big difference in the outcome of your injuries as well as the financial compensation you receive from your losses. Hiring a trusted and experienced Pittsburgh truck accident lawyer enables you to get the legal support you need.
At any point, contact Kwartler Manus, LLC to discuss your truck accident in Pittsburgh with us. From the perspective of a Pittsburgh truck accident attorney with years of experience, we recommend taking the following steps.
Prioritize Safety Beyond Anything Else
Move yourself out of the way of further harm after an accident. Call 911 as soon as you are out of the way of trouble. Check on others involved in the accident to provide any help you can. Remember that you may not know you have internal injuries just yet, especially as adrenaline continues to keep you focused.
Wait for the Police to Arrive
Pennsylvania law requires that you stop at the scene of an accident and remain there. We suggest not leaving until the police arrive and document your injuries and the evidence of the accident. You must provide your contact information to the other party at the very least after an accident. If someone is hurt or there is more than $1,000 worth of damage to property, wait for the police.
Gather Information
As soon as you have the opportunity to do so, start gathering information. When it is safe to do so, take photos and videos of the following:
- The damage to your vehicle
- The damage to the truck
- The positioning of the trucks and your car
- The license plate of the truck
- The debris in the roadway
- Injuries you have
- Anything you see inside the truck cabin (if accessible without actually accessing the vehicle)
This information can serve as evidence in your case later. It can help your truck accident lawyer to solidify your case, proving who is at fault.
Cooperate with the Police Cautiously
Police will question you and the truck driver throughout this process. Be sure you answer truthfully but only with information you can verify as being accurate. For example, if you saw the truck driver weaving in and out of traffic, communicate that to the police officer. Do not state that the driver was drunk.
Additionally, be careful what you say to avoid self-incrimination. Do not admit that you were looking at your phone, tired, or had a few drinks before drinking.
Get the Contact Information
You will need to communicate with the truck driver. Request their insurance information and driver’s license. The easiest way to collect this information is to take a photo of it. Document any other information they offer, such as whether they are driving for a trucking company or if they own the truck. Listen to what they state caused the accident, especially for statements such as “I did not see you.”
Talk to and Gather Information from Witnesses
The next step is to request the contact information for all parties who witnessed the incident, stopped to assist, or were involved in one of the vehicles at the time of the accident. These are witnesses, and not all will want to share their information.
Be polite and ask to get their information. If they are not willing to do so, ask them to state what they saw to you and record that information.
Get Medical Care Immediately
Even if you feel okay right after an accident, you may not know what internal injuries you have, such as traumatic brain injuries, internal organ injuries, or soft tissue damage. Going to the hospital enables you to clearly document this information and connect it directly to the accident. Be sure to inform the hospital that you were in an accident, as this ensures they will provide extensive testing to ensure there are no hidden areas of trauma.
Contact an Attorney
Once you are safely at home and getting the care you need, it is time to hire an attorney. Our Pittsburgh truck accident lawyer will provide you with extensive insight and data to help you navigate the rest of the process. There are numerous additional steps to take prior to seeking a claim, but when you allow our legal team to handle it, you protect your rights.
Document Your Losses
Continue to seek care for all of the losses you have. Be sure that you go to the follow-up doctor’s appointments and avoid working until your doctor allows you to go back to doing so. In the meantime, document any care you receive, time off work, activities you cannot participate in, and the way you feel. A journal that documents this on a day-to-day basis can help you.
Follow Your Attorney’s Lead
Let your lawyer take over all conversations with the insurance company and trucking company. Your attorney will investigate, determine all parties at fault, and seek a fair settlement or go to court to fight for you.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Legal Team
Focus on your recovery. Contact Kwartler Manus, LLC to seek a free consultation to discuss your case. Our Pittsburgh truck accident lawyer is ready to guide you.