Have You Been Involved in a Commercial Trucking Highway Accident?
Many people have a misconception that professional truck drivers cause most highway accidents. This is not true. Tractor trailers are involved in about 500,000 highway accidents per year, which is only 2.4% of all car accidents that occur every year. 75% of these accidents are caused by the driver of the passenger vehicle – not the trucker. Only 16% of these accidents are caused by the trucker.
The fact is that truckers are seriously injured every day in highway accidents caused by other drivers. This trend does not appear likely to change any time soon as drivers are more distracted today than ever before by talking on their cell phones, sending texts, changing radio stations, their iPods, and even watching DVDs with their children.
We know from experience that truckers often do not realize the full extent of their injuries immediately after a highway accident. Sometimes truckers walk away from the accident thinking they have not been injured at all only to discover days or weeks later that they have severe neck or back pain, headaches, or other injuries. This delay in symptom onset is common.
What Should Truckers Do If Involved In a Highway Accident?
If you or a truck driving family member has been in a highway accident, the following tips are very important to your case:
- Take pictures of the vehicles and the scene.
- Gather the names of witnesses.
- Find out who was driving the other vehicle and their insurance company.
- Go to the hospital or make an appointment with your doctor.
- Cooperate with the police and if subpoenaed, appear in court.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions and keep all medical appointments.
- Don’t talk with an insurance company until you have talked with your own attorney.
If you have been in a highway accident, you need to contact a trucker personal injury attorney. After the accident, you will likely be contacted by an insurance adjuster. The insurance adjuster’s job is to pay you as little as possible for your claim. The insurance adjuster does not represent you, and the questions the adjuster asks you are often designed to damage your personal injury claim. Do not talk to an insurance adjuster without first talking to a trucker personal injury attorney.
Contact a Truck Driver Accident Lawyer
If you have experienced a highway accident, contact Hurt Trucker Attorneys by form, phone, or email for more information on how we can help you pursue a personal injury claim and receive the maximum compensation you deserve. There is no cost or obligation for your free consultation.