An accident with another vehicle can be catastrophic, not to mention stressful. Being involved in a wreck can affect your life in a split second. Consider medical bills, missing work, your damaged car – not to mention the physical injuries you may suffer. The chances of serious injury can increase with the presence of an 18-wheeler truck or big rig. The average sedan weighs between 3,500-4,000 pounds. The average 18-wheeler, on the other hand, weighs 80,000 pounds. In a car vs. 18-wheeler crash, the smaller car normally bears the brunt of the impact.
In most states, it’s the law to call the police after an accident involving injury to persons or property. When you call the police, their officers should investigate the crash and issue a police report to document important information such as the parties involved, witnesses, insurance, property damage, tag numbers, VIN numbers, and the like. Even if you only exchanged information with the other driver at the scene, you should consider reporting the accident to the police so that they will issue a police report.
Injuries in an 18-wheeler crash can range in severity. You may suffer whiplash or forms of soreness, tightness, or stiffness. Severe crashes can lead to broken bones, disabling conditions, or even death. If you feel pain after a truck accident, you should have a licensed medical professional assess your condition. Seeking prompt treatment can help you recover as quickly as possible. Depending on what the doctor sees, you may need to be referred to a specialist, such as an orthopedic doctor for disc injuries or neurologist for headaches or head injuries. Without medical records documenting your symptoms and condition, it can become difficult to prove they are causally related to the wreck.
Commercial carriers and their employees must follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s rules. An experienced truck accident attorney can take action on your behalf in an effort to protect your legal rights. Some of these steps include, but aren’t limited o consulting with witnesses, retaining accident reconstruction experts, inspecting the truck’s “black box” data and pursuing damages such as medical bills, loss of income and pain and suffering. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the sooner the legal team at HURT-511 can begin conducting an investigation on your behalf.
Preserving relevant evidence is critical in a case. If you notice evidence of physical injuries, such as bruising or scarring, take pictures so your harms are documented. You can also take photos of the scene and any physical evidence that remains, such as skid and tire marks. Pay close attention to cameras, either at traffic lights or nearby businesses. If someone witnessed the accident, get their name and number so that they can be contacted later on to provide a statement of what happened. Also, be on the lookout for any company logos on the truck or commercial vehicle, as there could be multiple parties who bear responsibility for your damages.
At HURT-511, our personal injury lawyers help injured workers recover the benefits to which they are entitled by law. For a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer, call us toll-free at 800-4878-511 or complete our online form. Our firm handles accident and injury claims throughout all five boroughs of New York.
HURT-511 operates in all boroughs of New York including all Bronx neighborhoods, namely: Bedford Park, Belmont, Fordham, Highbridge, Hunts Point, Jerome Park, Kingsbridge, Morris Park, Morrisania, Mott Haven, Parkchester, Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Throgs Neck, University Heights and Woodlawn.
Trusted Reviews
