What To Do After an 18-Wheeler Accident in Louisiana
Truck, 18-wheeler, and semi-truck trolley accidents are the most devastating and horrific traffic collisions because they are extremely massive. If such an unfortunate vehicle crash happens, it can be devastating and injurious as it involves huge trucks that go on highways at high speed.
In such an event — be sure to get in touch with an 18-wheeler accident attorney in Louisiana so legal actions can be taken against the liable party.
This detailed article solely focuses on what steps you should take immediately after getting into a truck accident. This way, you’ll be able to get the potential compensation you deserve after getting into an 18-wheeler accident in Louisiana.
Get in touch with the best truck accident attorney in Lafayette, LA for a free case review.
Table of Contents
10 Things You Should Do After a Truck Accident
See below 10 things you should do after getting injured in an 18-wheeler accident:
- Call 911
- Check your injuries and other injured parties
- Move to the safest point
- Report the accident
- Identify other parties & exchange information
- Document the accident with photos & videos
- Talk to the witness
- Be careful with every word you say
- Get your vehicle appraised
- Hire a truck accident attorney
Let’s dig one by one into each step and find out what you should do after getting into a truck accident.
Step 1: Call 911
Be sure to report the accident to the police right after it has happened. The state of Louisiana requires you to report an accident that causes someone injury, death, or property damage. This helps the officers to make the initial report of the truck accident which can help the victims later.
You can call 911 and tell the operator that you have been in an accident. When officers respond at the scene, they prepare an accident report of what happened. This is crucial as it creates initial documentation of the crash.
Step 2: Check Your Injuries and Other Injured Parties
Check yourself and others for injuries. Seek immediate medical attention if anyone is injured. Also, you can look for the possibility of first aid that could be given to the injured parties.
Even if the injury doesn’t look serious, call the police, and ambulance. The officer will prepare an accident report that your personal injury attorney can use to prove the fault and liability of the driver.
Related Article: Why Is It Worth Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney in Lafayette, LA
Step 3: Move to the Safest Point
Once a crash has happened and you have managed to move out of the vehicle despite your injuries, you are highly recommended to move towards the safest point.
Trucks are quite enormous in size and could have been carrying any dangerous liquid that could burn after an accident. So, it’s safe to move a little far from the crash scene.
Step 4: Report the Accident
Once the Police department has arrived, it’s now your responsibility to report the whole accident to the officers. From the exact time to the exact location and scenario, tell the police how the crash happened.
If the victim of the crash is unconscious and severely injured, other eyewitnesses can report the whole accident to the Police on his behalf. This will help the officers prepare the case and legal statement.
Step 5: Identify Other Parties & Exchange Information
Share information with other crash drivers while waiting for the police to arrive. Obtain and verify all relevant information as there is always the risk of another driver doing hit and run. The instant moments after the crash are crucial when you must exchange the following information with other drivers:
- Full name, address, phone number, and email address.
- Driver’s license number.
- License plate number.
- Auto insurance company name and policy number.
You will also need to obtain the name, phone number and address of the truck driver’s employer. In the case of a truck accident, both the carrier and the driver may be involved, so information must be collected from both.
Step 6: Document the Accident with Photos & Videos
Photos of the accident scene give you an idea of how the crash unfolded. Do everything you can to document the immediate aftermath of the accident. One of the best ways to do this is by taking pictures. You can take pictures of;
- Entire accident scene.
- Location of all relevant vehicles.
- Your injuries and those of everyone in your vehicle.
- Damaged vehicle.
- Anything else that helps understand the scene and show what happened.
If the weather caused the accident, be sure to also get a picture of the sky and weather conditions.
Step 7: Talk to the Witness
Eyewitness testimony can be incredibly helpful in a truck accident and other people may have seen your accident. Speak with those eyewitnesses and ask them what they saw. If they had seen the crash, ask for their names and contact information.
The responding officer also speaks to the witness, and the truck accident attorney later contacts the witness to confirm the details. Make sure you have valid contact information for them.
Step 8: Be Careful with Every Word You Say
Trucking accidents are often catastrophic and complex. From the moment you are injured, insurance companies will begin pressurizing you to sign a quick and easy settlement. By signing a settlement quickly, they’re often able to save hundreds of thousands of dollars.
But never sign anything without first speaking to an experienced Louisiana 18-wheeler / truck accident attorney. From the moment you are injured, your lawyer can help protect your rights to compensation and ensure that you are not taken advantage of during this difficult time.
Step 9: Get Your Vehicle Appraised
Do not get any work done on your vehicle until you have resolved the issue with your insurance company and evaluated the damage.
Even if your car looks clean from the outside, it may have internal damage that costs more.You want to know exactly what kind of property damage is involved. Once you have received your compensation, then you may give your vehicle off for the service.
Step 10: Hire a Truck Accident Attorney
Truck accident attorneys can help you gather evidence, interview witnesses, calculate damages, and fight for the best possible compensation. Make sure to find the best 18-wheeler and truck accident injury attorney with extreme knowledge, previous wins, resources and litigation experience to represent your claim.
Are You Injured in an 18-Wheeler Accident?
Whether the trucking accident occurred on highways of Louisiana, or streets of Lafayette, it is important to talk to an experienced lawyer.
Contact our truck accident attorney immediately to protect evidence and get the right settlement. Call us now at 337-205-5803 or fill out the free consultation form and discuss your case!
Mistakes to Avoid After Getting into a Louisiana Truck Accident
Victims of truck accidents may be entitled to compensation, but it’s easy to accidentally damage a case. Victims can be bombarded with calls from insurance adjusters demanding clarification or pressure to accept settlements.
Understanding some common mistakes to avoid after a truck accident can help Lafayette truck accident victims defend their right to compensation.
As an established law firm working successfully for the past 30 years, we have seen a lot of truck accident victims making common mistakes after getting injured in an 18-wheeler crash.
Here are a few mistakes to avoid after getting into a Louisiana truck collision.
1. Don’t Apologize
Do not apologize or admit mistakes after a truck accident in Lafayette, LA. If the victim says sorry, the other person may take this as an admission of guilt. After a truck crash, it’s best to put those manners aside and apologize for nothing.
2. Never Make a Confession Right After Collision
Never admit guilt at the scene of the Lafayette truck crash. A confession of guilt may lead the victim to prosecution in court or when negotiating with an insurance adjuster. When a person says they are at fault, insurance companies use the term to oppose that person, making it more difficult to settle claims, pay medical bills, and compensate for pain and suffering.
3. Avoid Giving Any Statements
Insurers often ask tough questions because their goal is to pay victims as little as possible. They will do anything to undermine claims and underpay victims. Once the insurance company has the statement on file, it can be used later in litigation. So, avoid giving any statements initially.
4. Don’t Sign Any Document
Do not write or sign anything that requires your signature, especially documents or agreements pertaining to your personal affairs, such as insurance or estate planning documents, without consulting your attorney.
Pro Tip from Welborn & Hargett Injury Attorneys
As experienced Accident Attorneys, Welborn & Hargett recommends that you must not accept any initial offer from the liable party. Especially, if the victim is still receiving treatment or the full extent of the injury has not been assessed. Victims should not accept offers or cash checks until they have consulted an attorney who can advise them of the full value of the case.
If you want to discuss your case for free, call us at 337-205-5803.
Featured Article: Pursuing Legal Action After A Traumatic Brain Injury
What Compensation I Can Be Entitled to For My Damages in a Louisiana Truck Accident Case
A lot of truck accident victims are often found worried about how to pay medical bills and get compensation for destroyed vehicles. Well, luck and law both are on the victim’s side if he/she has suffered the loss and is coping up with the injuries.
Enough damage can be recovered if you choose to hire an experienced attorney from a winning law firm near you. Your attorney should be sound enough and must not shoot blank when it comes to presenting your claim.
Here are the economic damages you may claim:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost or reduced wages from being unable to work
- Lost earning capacity
- Property and vehicle damage
- Other accident-related calculable financial losses
Now let’s look at the non-economic damages you may claim:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of quality of life
- Disabilities and disfigurements
- Inconvenience
- Loss of enjoyment in unusual activities
- Depression and anxiety- need counseling
- Consortium
To win the verdict as per your injuries and losses, look for a truck accident attorney in your area who is well versed in dealing such cases.
A lot of victims fall for the jack of all trades, master of none, and end up losing the claim or getting very little compensation. This usually happens if the attorney is not skilled enough in dealing with truck accident cases. Bear in mind not to settle for the less and inexperienced truck accident lawyer.
Are you seeking legal advice after getting into a Louisiana truck accident?
Our experienced and highly qualified 18-wheeler accident attorneys are right here to help you out. Do not miss out your chance of receiving million dollar settlement from liable party
Contact our truck accident attorney immediately to protect evidence and get the right settlement. Call us now at 337-205-5803 or fill out the free consultation form and discuss your case!
Final Verdict
This article encompasses all the details that you need to know after getting into a truck accident. Ensure to follow all the steps mentioned in this article if you ever meet an 18-wheeler accident in Louisiana. By following these steps, you will be able to file a strong lawsuit against the liable party, and you are more likely to get the compensation you deserve for your traumatic injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Steps Should I Immediately Take After a Louisiana Truck Accident?
Follow these steps immediately after a car or truck accident;
- Call 911
- Take photos
- Seek medical help
- Hire an expert truck accident attorney
2. What Are the Few Mistakes to Avoid After an 18-Wheeler Crash?
Do not make these three mistakes after getting into a Louisiana truck accident.
- Never say sorry as it may get used against your claim.
- Do not sign any initial offer letter.
- Don’t delay hiring an 18-wheeler accident attorney.
3. What Are the Most Common Types of Truck Accidents?
The following three are the most common type of trucking accidents;
- Jackknife
- Rollover
- Underride
4. What Compensation Can I Receive After an 18-Wheeler Collision?
The victim of a truck accident may be entitled to receive compensation for;
- Pain and trauma
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property and vehicle damage
