8 steps you must take immediately after a truck accident in Atlanta
Atlanta, GA – By definition, an accident is something that happens suddenly, taking you by surprise. A serious truck accident is most likely to result in severe injuries, but also to cause shock and confusion. Unfortunately, you cannot afford to be confused during the critical hours and days after a crash as you may compromise your chances of getting fair compensation for your damages.
Knowledgeable Atlanta truck accident lawyers say that you must be very careful what you do and what you say in the aftermath of a crash. Here’s a quick list of time-sensitive steps you must take after a truck accident in Georgia.
Dos and Don’ts after a truck accident in Atlanta
The first thing you must do is get out of harm’s way. Get out of the car as you never know if the truck will catch fire or explode. Take a deep breath, try to calm down, and assess the situation.
Seek medical attention: If you or anyone involved in the accident is injured, call 911 or seek medical attention immediately. If you don’t require immediate medical care, stay at the scene until the police arrive. However, make sure to see a doctor as soon as possible because you will need medical records to prove that you were injured in the crash.
Contact law enforcement: Call the police and report the accident. The police report will play a crucial role in your future accident claim. Make sure the officer hears your side of the story and that the facts they enter in the report are true.
Collect information: Collect the contact and insurance information of all parties involved in the accident, including the truck driver and the trucking company he works for. Take photos of the accident scene, preferably before the vehicles are moved to the side of the road, and any injuries and damages to vehicles or property.
Have a good look at the trucker: The police will probably test the trucker for drugs and alcohol. You can help your case by watching to see if the trucker disposes of alcohol containers or drug paraphernalia before the police arrive. Also, see if the driver seems unusually tired. Driver fatigue is one of the most common causes of truck accidents in the US and, in many cases, you may also hold the employer accountable.
Contact your insurance company: Notify your insurer of the crash, as required by most policies sold in Georgia. As Georgia is an at-fault state, you will however have to file a claim with the insurance company representing the trucker or his employer.
Do not talk to the other party’s insurance representative: After the crash, the first thing the trucker will do is call his employer. It’s standard procedure. The trucking company will dispatch its lawyers to the scene of the crash and notify its own insurer. All these are meant to minimize their accountability. If you get a call from the other party’s insurance company, do not give them any details. Don’t tell them anything they may use to accuse you of negligence. Under Georgia’s modified comparative negligence rule, if you are somewhat responsible for the crash your damages will be reduced by a percentage corresponding to your share of the blame.
Consult an attorney: Look up the best accident lawyers in Atlanta. You must have your lawyers on the scene as soon as possible. An attorney needs to intervene quickly to preserve crucial evidence before it is lost, destroyed, or overwritten. This refers to driver’s log data, black box data, maintenance records from the trucking company, surveillance camera footage, etc.
Don’t sign anything: In the days to come, the insurance company representing the other party may try to get you to accept a quick settlement for your truck accident. Do not sign anything even if they promise you can always come and get more money. That’s a lie. Once you sign a release form, you won’t be able to get additional damages to cover medical treatment, physical rehabilitation, or lost wages.
If you were recently injured in a truck accident in the Atlanta area, schedule a free consultation with the experienced lawyers at the Hooker Law Group, LLC. Their team will use their formidable professional expertise to help you get the damages you are entitled to.
Contact info:
Address:
659 Auburn Avenue; Suite 116
Atlanta, Georgia 30312
Phone: (470) 523-4665
Email: [email protected]
