Any accident involving a commercial vehicle such as a bus, van or truck can be extremely serious and more likely deadly than an accident between smaller cars. While truck drivers are required to follow and obey strict regulations regarding the time spent driving, distance covered, amount of rest breaks, etc., accidents are common. If you have been a victim in a commercial vehicle accident, it is crucial that you understand your rights. Reach out to a skilled commercial vehicle accident attorney today with Steinberg Law Firm. We can help you reach the compensation you deserve.
If you have been in a commercial vehicle accident, there are steps you should take following an accident:
Receive medical attention immediately. It is likely that you and your passengers have suffered from injury during the accident. Even if you feel that you do not require immediate care, it is important that you get medical attention right away to determine if you have an injury. Injuries do not always appear immediately, especially internal ones; you need a skilled physician to determine your health status. If you do not go to the hospital, you may find issues with your insurance company or the commercial vehicle’s insurance claiming that your injuries were not received during the accident.
Gather evidence at the scene. Providing medical evidence is not the only information you will need to make a strong case. If you or a passenger are physically capable, gather all evidence possible at the scene of the accident. This can include pictures, videos and contact information from witnesses. If you are unable to do so, request that the police take pictures before the scene is cleared. It is likely that the commercial truck’s company will have a team of attorneys and experts at the scene as soon as possible to take pictures before the debris is cleared. You want to ensure that you have the necessary information.
Contact a lawyer. The company that owns the commercial vehicle will have attorneys and other vehicle experts on their side. In the incident of a truck accident, there may be extreme property damage and injuries. The truck’s company wants to limit their responsibility as much as possible in regards to these damages. You need an experienced team on your side as well. By hiring a lawyer, you will have access to investigators, knowledge about preserving evidence and a high level of communication with the trucking company and police. There is no reason to take on a case alone.
The highest fatality rate in any large truck accident comes from the occupants of the passenger vehicle. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in 2016, there were 3,986 fatalities from large truck accidents where 66 percent of these deaths were passenger vehicle occupants and 17 percent of the fatalities were truck occupants.
If the other party is responsible for the accident, it is likely that you are entitled to a certain amount of compensation. This can come in the form of covering past and future medical bills, any property damage to your car and belongings, past and future lost wages. and pain and suffering.
If you or a loved one is a victim of a commercial vehicle accident, you may want to reach out to a skilled commercial car accident attorney today. Steinberg Law Firm has experience in handling commercial vehicle accident cases. We are prepared to help you in yours.