What Should I Do After a Truck Accident in New Jersey?
Truck accidents usually cause significant damage to both you and your vehicle. A study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Administration found the average cost to the victim of a non-fatal injury collision with a tractor-trailer was almost 200K. In the aftermath of an accident, take care of your health, speak to your insurance company, and contact a lawyer.
At Harrell Law Firm, we are dedicated and tenacious when advocating for our clients. Consult with one of our New Jersey truck accident attorneys. They can fight for your rights because insurance companies work hard to protect their profit margins. Having a compassionate and skilled attorney on your side ensures that you get the compensation you need to rebuild your life. In the meantime, here’s what to do after a truck accident.
Call 911
New Jersey requires that you report an accident if it involves injury, death, or over $500 worth of damage to property. Pull over onto the shoulder of the highway if you are able. Then, call 911 immediately because ensuring your safety is essential. Even if you do not think you are hurt, common crash injuries like whiplash or internal damage can take some time to become noticeable. Seeking immediate medical care will aid your recovery, and those records will also help prove that your injuries are related to the collision.
Gather information and evidence
If possible, speak to other drivers in the crash and get their contact and insurance information. File a report with police who are on the scene. It is also helpful to note the trucking company’s name since many parties can be involved in determining truck accident liability. Call your insurance company and report that an accident happened, but do not discuss liability. In addition, do not talk about the accident with other drivers involved or admit fault. Off-hand comments could be used against you in the future.
Save potential evidence:
- Take photos of the scene, your vehicle, and any injuries
- Write down any information that may be important later, like weather or road conditions
If cannot do any of this because you are too badly hurt, focus on recovering your health. A New Jersey truck accident lawyer can find the information you need from law enforcement and medical providers to build your case and ensure you receive compensation for your losses.
Follow the Treatment Plan from Your Provider
After seeking medical care, it is essential that you follow your doctor’s treatment plan and ensure you see them for follow-up appointments. Do not hesitate to return to them as often as necessary. If you need to change doctors or see other specialists, update your lawyer with their names and addresses.
While you are recovering, keeping a medical or pain diary can be helpful to both your healthcare providers and your lawyer. Document what you and your doctor speak about at your appointments, any prescriptions you take, treatments you undergo, and how you feel every day. Describe how your injuries are affecting your life, especially your work. Be sure to keep all of your hospital bills, receipts from appointments, as well as your prescriptions.
Be Selective with Who You Talk About the Accident
After contacting law enforcement and your insurance provider, be selective with who you talk to about your accident. Do not post anything on social media because it can be misconstrued later. In addition, during communications with your insurance, do not downplay your injuries. In the aftermath of a truck accident, it’s easy to become intimidated by all the different parties who are involved. These cases can include the truck driver, the company that hired the driver, the owner of the truck, and the cargo loaders or manufacturers. If the negligent party’s lawyer contacts you, call your attorney immediately.
Contact us at Harell Law Firm for a Free Consultation
Don’t be intimidated into accepting a settlement from corporate lawyers. Having a New Jersey truck accident lawyer working for you while pursuing a lawsuit or settling out of court means you have a better chance at recouping what you are owed after a traumatizing accident. Schedule a free consultation with Harrell Law Firm today. Put experience on your side and send a message to the insurance company that you are not going to settle for less than your claim is worth. We work on a contingency basis, so there are no upfront legal fees. We look forward to hearing from you.
