What Are the Steps I Should Take After a Truck Accident?
The steps you should take after a truck accident in New Hyde Park will include, first and foremost, considering your safety. If you have sustained any injuries during the collision, you need to contact emergency services as soon as possible. The first responders will get you the medical attention you need.
Further, the responding police officers will start taking statements from the different parties involved in the crash—in addition to collecting any physical evidence left behind at the accident scene. The evidence they collect may prove useful if you decide to take legal action against the liable party after you recover from your injuries.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
According to our Long Island semi-truck accident lawyer, after an accident anywhere in New York, you should call the police, even if you consider the accident to be minor. If you suffered an injury, the police presence at the scene is vital. Your attorneys will use the police report to conduct a parallel investigation, use experts to reconstruct the accident, establish liability, understand your case better, and advise you on your legal options. In other words, having the police at the scene and getting a copy of the report might make or break your case. Here are several other steps to consider taking after a truck accident, including the following:
Get Witnesses’ Contact Information
If you are able, you should gather contact information from individuals who witnessed the crash. Our team will interview them to get details about what occurred.
Take photos and videos
If it is safe to do so, take pictures or videos that showcase the damage to your vehicle, the other driver’s license plate, the weather conditions, the roadway conditions, and any other factors that may have played a role in the accident.
Report Your Accident to Your Insurance Company
Reach out to your insurance company and inform them about your accident. We recommend that you only report the facts of the accident (e.g., when and where the accident occurred, the type of accident, whether there were any passengers in your car).
Continue Following Your Doctor’s Orders
You should obey your doctor’s orders until you have recovered or reached maximum medical improvement. A failure to follow your doctor’s orders can give the insurance company the opportunity to deny your claim or allege that you are contributing to your injuries.
Keep Evidence in a Safe Place
Be sure to gather any documents, photos, or videos and keep them safe. This can help us investigate your accident and gather evidence more quickly.
Avoid Speaking to the Other Party’s Insurance Company
The other party’s insurance company will likely call you soon after the accident. Anything you say during this call can be used against you. Instead of risking your right to compensation, you can direct the insurance adjuster to discuss your accident with a member of our team instead.
Call Our Firm to Discuss Your Case
Consider working with a New Hyde Park truck accident lawyer and ask them about your legal options moving forward. Your attorney may advise you against giving any statements to the other driver’s insurance company until they learn more about your case.
Recovering Damages After a Truck Accident
The types of damages you qualify for may change depending on what state your accident occurred in. In New Hyde Park, truck accident victims may receive compensation for the following hardships:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Disfigurement
- Disabilities
- Lost income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain
- And other losses
Your lawyer can also explain how the insurance claims process will work in your case.
The Role of a Truck Accident Attorney
Retaining a truck accident attorney gives you the freedom to focus on your recovery while your attorney dedicates themselves to your case. Attorneys can be there for you during all the crucial parts of your legal battle, from start to finish.
These services are especially useful if you have suffered serious injuries that require extensive rehabilitation or around-the-clock care. Truck accident attorneys have dedicated their lives to learning the legal system, so you do not have to.
Some of the many services of truck accident attorneys include:
- Negotiating settlements
- Calculating case values
- Offering legal guidance
- Obtaining evidence
- Proving liability
- Filing insurance claims
- Handling insurance companies
- Civil litigation
- And more
Ultimately, a truck accident attorney can give you peace of mind during an otherwise turbulent period of your life.
Our New Hyde Park Truck Accident Lawyers Fight for Your Rights
Our attorneys proudly offer our personal injury services for victims in Nassau, Queens, and Suffolk Counties, as well as New York City. At the end of the day, we are here to help fight for your right to compensation so you can move past your truck accident with a newfound sense of confidence.
Among our many other legal services, we can help you keep track of important statutes like New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (CVP) §214, which gives you three years to file a personal injury lawsuit after your truck accident.
Call us Today for a Free Consultation
To learn more about the laws and guidelines that may affect your truck accident claim, contact our team today to receive your free consultation. A representative at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP will be standing by at (866) 878-6774.
We handle cases on a contingency-fee-basis, which means you pay us no attorney’s fees unless and until you recover compensation.
