Injuries from a crash involving a tractor-trailer, or semi-truck, can be devastating, even in a relatively minor accident, due to the size and weight of these commercial vehicles. Coping with life-altering injuries while also trying to pursue a personal injury claim can feel nearly unmanageable.
Our team at Wofsey Rosen may be able to help you with what to do after an accident with a semi-truck. The process can be complicated and you shouldn’t have to shoulder the burden alone.
Stamford Truck Accidents
Every year, Stamford and the surrounding areas see all kinds of motor vehicle accidents. The Connecticut Crash Data Repository shows that over 11,000 crashes occurred in Stamford over a two-year period. While this number includes all vehicle crashes, many involve large trucks. The Connecticut Department of Transportation and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) report nearly 20 fatalities from accidents involving commercial trucks in Connecticut in the last reporting year alone.
Truck accidents can become more complex than standard car accidents due to the multiple parties involved, such as the driver, trucking company, and trailer owner, as well as the regulations that apply to them, of which the failure to adhere to create many avenues of possible liability. A thorough investigation from an experienced trucking attorney will help build a strong case.
Steps to Take After a Semi Truck Accident
The immediate aftermath of a truck accident can be fraught with pain, anxiety, and chaos. You may be uncertain of what exactly happened or how to proceed in the immediate minutes, hours, and days following your accident. While every situation may have slightly different needs, our team at Wofsey Rosen consistently encourages a few courses of action, including:
Get to Safety
The first steps after a collision involving a semi-truck should always be focused on safety. This includes assessing any injuries, the surrounding area, and all vehicles to check for immediate safety concerns, such as proximity to traffic, fires, or similar threats. If possible, you should move your vehicles from traffic, turn on your hazard lights, or put out safety cones. If you cannot get to a safer location, it is often safest to remain in your car.
Call 911
Once you have addressed immediate safety concerns, your next step should be to contact 911. Under Connecticut law, you must report the incident in most cases of semi-truck accidents, but calling 911 also helps you by ensuring you get help from medical services. Additionally, law enforcement officers will do an initial investigation of the accident and complete a police report that may serve as critical documentation for your case later on.
Document the Scene
If you are able, it may help to document the accident scene. This includes taking pictures of the vehicles, the surrounding area, and your injuries. The photos can provide important information to our attorney and anyone else investigating the scene.
Seek Medical Evaluation
Regardless of how you feel, evaluation from a qualified medical professional should be high on your list of priorities after an accident with a semi-truck. This can ensure that hidden injuries do not go undiagnosed, potentially leading to life-threatening conditions or death.
Many types of injuries, like soft tissue damage, traumatic brain injuries, or even post-traumatic stress disorder, can have elements of delayed onset, and having these injuries evaluated immediately will help you get the best care possible.
Call an Attorney
Once your immediate safety has been accomplished and medical needs have been provided for, you should call an experienced truck accident attorney. Truck accidents are often incredibly complex, and getting an attorney involved early allows him or her to act quickly to take steps that can preserve critical evidence.
For example, many trucks include a type of ‘black box’ that stores data like speed, braking, location, and activity hours. However, if you do not know how to request this information and do it quickly, it could be deleted or more difficult to recover. Your truck accident lawyer will take steps to secure this information and use it for your benefit when possible.
Schedule a Free Case Consultation Today
Managing significant injuries is difficult enough when you don’t have to oppose a large corporation and its insurance provider to get your medical bills paid. At Wofsey Rosen, our truck accident attorneys are prepared to handle negotiations to get fair and appropriate compensation for your injuries. We pride ourselves in offering high-quality, aggressive advocacy to our clients, helping them recover from their injuries and return to their lives.
We offer free case consultations, which you can schedule online. During these consultations, you can meet with us and share the details of your situation with one of our attorneys. Call us today and let us help you get justice.