Astronomical medical bills that dent your finances and leave you in debt, loss of pay at work, loss of work itself in some cases, injuries that may cripple you for life, intense pain and agony, and the worst, death of a loved one – these are just a few of the after-effects of a serious accident involving a truck and other vehicles. Here’s what you can do to minimize the impact of a trucking accident on you, your family and loved ones.

  1. Seek top medical help: Medicine is just like any other business. Some doctors and hospitals are far better than others. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the experience and credentials of those working on you or your loved ones. Furthermore, don’t simply assume that the hospital is always making the right choice when it comes to treatment. You should play a role in your treatment process.
  2. Take photos: Get someone to take pictures of the scene of the accident, of the damage to your car, and of the bruises and injuries sustained. These will later prove of assistance in the event you need to prove your case before court or in settlement negotiations.
  3. Do not move your vehicle: It is important that the vehicle remain at the scene of the accident until a thorough investigation has been carried out to establish who was at fault. If you were not at fault, removing your car could cost you some of the monetary compensation you are entitled to.
  4. Get in touch with your insurance carrier: The sooner you do this, the better. Your agent will be able to help you with your car repairs or replacement as long as your insurance is in order and up to date.
  5. Call a truck accident attorney: If the accident is major, you may have a sizeable legal claim. So seek legal counsel, talk to an experienced lawyer with good credentials and background. You should be able to get a free consultation to help you decide if you need an attorney or not.
  6. Consider the fee structure: Most firms will work on a contingency basis in personal injury litigation cases where they get a percentage of the settlement or compensation provided by the other side. If you decide this is the best option for you, work out how much you will end up with before settling on the percentage your attorney will retain. Make sure it is in writing that if they lose the case then you are not required to cover any of the costs.
  7. Be careful what you say to whom: Any statement you make can be used against you as a means of reducing your eventual settlement or compensation amount. Most attorneys will recommend that you limit what you say about the case so as to preserve your litigation options later on.
  8. Call your medical insurer: Get your hospital and treatment bills paid by your insurance provider instead of dipping into your bank account. Any settlement will go towards paying your insurer back.
  9. Talk to your employers: Usually you will not be able to work for a while after being involved in a truck accident. Get in touch with your employers at the earliest and make sure they realize that you need the time off in order to resume work in full swing at the earliest.
  10. File a police report: This is a matter of course after any accident, but make sure the report is filed by following up with the officer after the accident.
  11. Surround yourself with loved ones: An accident is a traumatic incident that brings your life to a standstill. It requires a lot of concentrated effort to get things back on track, a task best done if you have the support and encouragement of your family, friends and loved ones.