Protecting Yourself After an Accident

Steps to Protect Yourself and Family after a Trucking Accident
April 2010

Soaring medical costs that hurt your family's financial stability, loss of income, loss of jobs, changed relationships, serious injuries, disability, pain and suffering, and-at worst-the loss of a loved one are some of the devastating consequences of a serious truck accident. While some of these effects are not under our control, there are ways to minimize your losses following a truck accident. Here are ten things you can do to protect yourself after a trucking accident.

At the scene of an accident:

1. Take photos of the accident scene, the damage to your car, and the injuries sustained. These can all serve as evidence if necessary in a trucking accident lawsuit to recover your losses.
2. Do not move your vehicle until a thorough investigation of the accident site has been conducted.

After an accident:

1. File a police report.
2. Contact your insurance company. The sooner you contact your insurance company the better.
3. Talk to your employers, letting them know as soon as possible if you will need to take some time off work due to your accident.
4. Seek expert medical help. Just like any business, medical care is better at some institutions than others. Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself or your loved one and assure that you get the best care from the top experts in the field. Play an active role in your care.
5. Be careful what you disclose. Any statement you make can later be used against you to reduce your compensation in a truck accident case. Limiting what you say to whom can preserve your legal options.
6. Call your medical insurer: Have your health insurance pay for medical bills instead of paying out of pocket. Compensation awarded in a case can go towards paying the insurer back.
7. Contact a qualified truck accident lawyer. Even if you are not sure about all the details of your case, if you were involved in a serious truck accident, contacting an attorney early is one of the best ways you can protect yourself and your family. An attorney employs experts in medicine and accident investigation and can evaluate your case to determine the best way to help you.
8. Surround yourself with loved ones: A truck accident is a significant and traumatic life event. Coping with all the consequences can be difficult and exhausting. The support and encouragement of loved ones can go a long way in helping you through this difficult time.