What to Do After A Truck Accident

Call the police and advise if there are injuries, even if your injuries seem minor. A police report can be helpful in any potential legal action. The police will also investigate and interview all parties involved, including witnesses. Obtain a copy of the police report for your records.

Get Contact Information for All Involved Parties

While waiting for the police to arrive, exchange contact information with all parties. Get insurance information for the truck driver and other drivers involved in the accident.

Also, please take note of any witnesses to the accident and get their contact information—including their full name, phone number, and address. It’s also important to note the license plates of all vehicles involved in the accident.

You might wonder why you should exchange information if the police are on their way. It’s imperative to speak to any witnesses, as not all parties can wait around for the police to arrive.

A witness may need to get to work or have an appointment. If they leave the scene before you get their contact information, you might miss out on a crucial witness that supports your version of the events.

Document the Scene

Use your phone to take pictures of the damage to the truck, vehicle, and other cars involved. Take photos of any skid marks, debris, or other physical evidence at the scene.

Also take note of the location of the accident, weather conditions, and further relevant details about the scene. All this information can be helpful when pursuing a personal injury case.

Seek Medical Attention

Even if you think you feel fine, it’s essential to get checked out by a doctor. Some injuries, such as whiplash, may not show symptoms until hours or even days later.

Other injuries, such as organ damage, won’t be visible to the naked eye. Going to the emergency room or urgent care immediately after the accident is best. Accidents involving large trucks typically involve serious injuries.

Don’t take any chances by delaying medical treatment. The other driver’s insurance company will use any treatment delays against you in the claims process.

The adjuster will allege something else caused your injuries or that your injuries weren’t that severe since you waited so long to seek medical treatment.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Notify your insurance company of the accident right away. You might need to file a claim with the truck driver’s insurance, or your insurance company might do it for you.

Remember that the truck driver’s insurance company is not on your side. Be very cautious about what you say to any other parties’ insurance companies about the accident. They are looking for anything to use against you in a liability argument.

Don’t give a recorded statement to the other insurance company or sign any documents without consulting with an attorney: The trucking company’s insurance company may contact you shortly after the accident and ask you to give a recorded statement or sign documents. It’s best to consult with an attorney before doing so.

Keep a Pain Journal and Preserve Evidence

Start an accident journal tracking how the accident has impacted your life. This information can be helpful to refer back to should your claim be litigated.

You might give a deposition one or two years after your accident. You’ll want to review all your notes to ensure you didn’t forget any crucial details.

Keep records of all medical treatments, bills, and other expenses related to the accident. These will be necessary if you decide to pursue legal action.

This evidence includes any medical treatment you receive, such as doctor’s visits, tests, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, or other expenses related to your recovery.

Retain a New Mexico Truck Accident Lawyer

Meet with a New Mexico truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. The Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C. lawyers can help you navigate the legal process and fight for fair compensation for your injuries and damages.

We will also deal with insurance companies and handle all settlement negotiations.

Who Is Liable in a Truck Accident?

Determining liability is one of the most challenging aspects of a truck accident claim. That is why you should contact a lawyer right after the accident to help determine who is liable in a truck accident.

The sooner you retain a lawyer, the sooner we can build a case against all responsible parties. It’s important to note that New Mexico is a pure comparative negligence state.

That means you can be partially or even primarily at fault for the accident and still receive a portion of your damages. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.

What Is the Average Semi-Truck Accident Settlement?

Determining a range for average truck accident settlements is nearly impossible. All truck accidents differ, which means settlements can vary widely.

So, what is the average semi-truck accident settlement? Several main factors impact a potential truck accident settlement. These factors are:

The type of severity of your injuries—the more severe your injuries are, the more your case might be worth;
Who is liable—even similar injuries can settle for vastly different amounts depending on who was at fault for the accident;
Damages—your overall damages total plays a significant role in potential case value; and
Available insurance coverage—if your case is worth significantly more than all available insurance coverage, you might receive less than you would if the defendants had higher limits.

Rather than focus on potential average settlement amounts, please speak with one of our experienced lawyers to discuss your case value.

How Much Will a Truck Accident Lawsuit Cost Me?

How much will a ruck accident lawsuit cost me? Understandably, you are concerned about the cost of hiring a lawyer to represent you. Fortunately, we work on a contingency basis.

That means you won’t pay legal fees or expenses up front. We get paid only if we recover compensation on your behalf. Our fees work out to a fixed percentage of your settlement amount, so you don’t need to worry about any out-of-pocket expenses.

Contact Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C.

If you have questions on what to do after a truck accident, the experienced lawyers at Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C. are here to help.

We have years of experience assisting injured victims in New Mexico, including those involved in semi-truck accidents. We’re passionate about helping our clients get the compensation they deserve.

Contact one of our conveniently located offices to schedule an initial consultation and learn more about how we can assist you.

James Tawney

James Tawney is a native of the Southwest dedicated to serving his community. He was born and raised in Arizona, where he attended Northern Arizona University and graduated summa cum laude.