Semi-truck accidents often leave parties involved with injuries ranging from minor to fatal. When you or a loved one suffers a personal injury involving a semi-truck accident, legal representation is vital for you case.
These types of injuries may entitle you to pursue compensation for damages including economic and non-economic damages. However, in order to build your case and seek compensation you will need what to do if you’re in a semi-truck accident.
This blog is an attempt to educate those who want to know more about what they should do in situations where they could end up with a personal injury.
Steps to take if you're in a semi-truck accident
If you are involved in a semi-truck accident, it is important to stay calm and follow these steps:
Check yourself and any passengers for injuries. If anyone suffers an injured, call 911 immediately and stay on the line to receive further instructions.
If the semi-truck accident is minor and no one has an injury, move your car out of the roadway to a safe location if possible. When you’re in a situation where you are unable to move your vehicle, turning on your hazard lights can warn other drivers on the roadway.
Call the police to report the accident. Even if the accident is minor, it is important to have a record of what happened.
Make sure you collect and exchange information with the other driver. These pieces of information you should exchange include, contact information, insurance information, and your name. Also, write down the make, model, and license plate number of the other vehicle.
If you have access to a phone with a camera like most people do now-a-days, you should take pictures of the damages to all vehicles involved, as well as the scene of the accident. These photos will be useful if you need to file an insurance claim or prove what happened in court.
Unfortunately, some people can’t help but be sympathetic after an accident. Do not apologize or admit to being at fault and wait for law enforcement to determine who is liable.
If you have no visible injuries, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Just because you don’t feel like you are hurt or have visible injuries doesn’t mean that you haven’t suffered an internal injury that are not instantly noticeable.
Avoiding semi-truck accidents
There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of being involved in a semi-truck accident:
Stay alert and avoid distractions while driving. Avoid using your phone or engaging in other activities that take your attention away from the road.
Keep a safe distance from semi-trucks. Remember that semi-trucks require more time and distance to stop, so it’s important to give them plenty of room.
Be aware of semi-trucks’ blind spots. Semi-trucks have large blind spots on the sides and rear of the vehicle, so avoid driving in these areas if possible.
Be sure to use turn signals while turning and switching lanes. This will help semi-truck drivers anticipate your movements and avoid a collision.
Obey traffic laws and pay attention to speed limits. Semi-trucks are heavy and require more time and distance to stop, so it’s important to drive at a safe speed.
Avoid following a semi-truck too closely. If you follow a semi-truck too closely, you may not have enough time to react if the truck slows down or stops suddenly.
Be cautious when passing a semi-truck. Make sure you have enough room to pass the truck safely and do not cut in front of the truck too closely after passing.
Connect with Pepper & Odom
For more information, or to connect with an attorney you can contact us online or call one of our offices in Mississippi or Alabama. Call 601-202-1111 to reach our office in Ridgeland, Mississippi or call 205-250-1107 to reach our office in Birmingham, Alabama.