Woodland Hills Trucking Accident Attorney
When a commercial truck plows into a standard passenger car on the roadway, the results could be fatal. Commercial trucks may be carrying hazardous chemicals that could spew onto the roadway after a crash, or unsecured products that could fly off the vehicle and hit passing cars. Accidents that involve commercial trucks can be very serious, where the passenger car driver may suffer painful physical injuries that may require emergency medical care. Please read on to find out how to respond if such an accident ever happens to you.
Those who have been struck by a commercial truck may want to turn to the experience of an attorney for legal assistance.
Call 9-1-1 Immediately
An attorney recommends that any person hit by a commercial truck driver calls 9-1-1 for police and an ambulance right away. The injuries a passenger car driver may endure can include whiplash, brain trauma, road rash, broken bones, crushed extremities, excessive bleeding and more.
Exchange Information with the Trucker
Unless you feel stable in the immediate aftermath of the crash, do not worry about exchanging information with the trucker in that moment. The officer who arrives at the scene to assist with handling the situation can get the truckers information for you. It is likely that the officer will create a police report that summarizes what happened. If you feel strong enough, an attorney suggests exchanging these details with the trucker while at the scene:
- First and last name
- Current address
- Trucking company name
- Truck license plate number
- Driver’s license number
- Insurance carrier
Contact Your Insurance Company
Call your insurance company the same day as the accident, if you can. If you were hospitalized due to the wreck, contacting your insurer can wait until a later time. When you do eventually call, be sure to mention that you were receiving medical attention and were not able to submit a claim that same day. Keep in mind that after you file a claim, you may receive calls from insurance adjusters regarding the incident. While these representatives may seem innocent enough, they may be attempting to get you to say something that can hinder your claim. When in doubt, reach out to an attorney before providing a statement.
Speak with an Attorney
A Woodland Hills trucking accident attorney at Barry P. Goldberg understands just how much turmoil you may be going through after being hit by a commercial vehicle. These hefty trucks can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds. The force from this weight can be enough to smash the passenger car so badly that it becomes totaled. You may be struggling financially to pay off all of your medical bills related to the accident, as well as gathering the funds to purchase a new car. Consider contacting an attorney today to get the compensation you need and deserve.
