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What to Do After a Semi-Truck Hits Your Car

January 6, 2020

There are plenty of large commercial trucks traveling through the state of Kentucky. These vehicles pose a higher risk of serious injury in the event of an accident than crashes involving only traditional passenger vehicles. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a fully loaded semi-truck can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. If you or somebody you care about has been involved in an accident with a semi-truck, there are several steps you can take in order to make the process of receiving compensation a little easier. Speak to a Lexington truck accident attorney to go over your case.

What To Do After a Semi-Truck Crash

Seek Medical Care

The most important thing you can do after a truck accident is to seek medical attention as soon as possible. If your condition did not require emergency transport to the hospital, you still need to go see your doctor (if possible, do this the same day as the accident). Not only does this ensure your well-being, but it establishes that your injuries were caused by the truck accident.

Make Sure Police Are Involved

Make sure that the police are called to the truck accident scene so they can conduct a preliminary investigation. This will allow you to obtain a police report that should include findings of who the police determined to be at fault for the incident. This will also include information about the driver and trucking company’s insurance.

Report the Incident

You need to report the incident to your insurance company. However, the only thing you should be telling your insurance carrier is that the accident happened. Do not make any statements about your injuries and do not talk to the insurance carrier representing the truck driver or trucking company until you have spoken to an attorney.

Decline to Sign

If the truck driver was at fault for the incident, an insurance adjuster for the trucking company will likely contact you asking for many things. They may try to tell you that you have to make a recorded statement or that they need you to sign a medical records release form so that you can obtain a quick settlement. Please understand that these insurance adjusters are working to protect their bottom line. They are not your friends, and they will do what they can to ensure a low payout on their part. You need to decline to sign anything and decline to make any recorded statements.

Talk to an Attorney

As soon as possible after a truck accident, speak to an attorney for a free personal injury consultation of your case. A skilled accident lawyer in Lexington will guide you towards the path that will secure the maximum compensation for your case. Most truck accident attorneys will take your case on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you will not take any legal fees until compensation is secured through a favorable settlement or verdict on your behalf.

Kentucky Truck Accidents Can Be Dangerous

During the latest reporting year in this state, the Kentucky Department of Transportation says that there were 9,898 total collisions involving trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds. Out of these incidents, 110 people were killed, and 2,039 people were injured. The main causes of large truck accidents in Kentucky include:

  • Driver inattention/distraction
  • Loss of vehicle control
  • Failure to yield right of way
  • Following too closely
  • Driving too fast for conditions
  • Driver fatigue
  • Overcorrecting/oversteering
  • Alcohol impairment