The reality of driving an automobile is that you are always at risk of getting into an accident. Though many drivers tend to follow safe practices and avoid collisions, car accidents are a leading cause of injuries and death across the country. This means that every time you are on the road, there is a level of danger.
One of the most dangerous types of accidents that can occur is with a large truck. From delivery trucks to eighteen-wheelers, getting into a collision with these large vehicles can result in massive damage to your car and severe injuries to those involved.
If you have been in an accident with a large truck, you must understand how to take care of yourself in the aftermath physically, emotionally, and financially. Here are some steps that you should take to look out for your best interests.
Document Everything About the Accident
Vehicle accidents become complicated once insurance companies get involved. Who is responsible for the accident? What other entities, such as the trucking company, may be affected by an insurance claim? These questions and others will be important during the investigation of the collision.
For this reason, you should collect as much data as you can to protect yourself and back up your case when filing a claim. Ask for the other driver’s insurance information, their license ID, contact information, and employer. Additionally, ask for a copy of the accident report from the police, get contact information from eyewitnesses, and take pictures of the scene. To use this data effectively for filing a claim, contact a Clarksville truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident.
Seek Medical Attention
Our bodies are complicated systems with millions of interconnected parts. Even if you escaped the accident unscathed and cannot feel any pain in the immediate aftermath, there is a chance that you have experienced less obvious damage like internal injuries.
You may have even been treated at the scene of the accident and given the okay by paramedics. However, they do not have the necessary equipment to detect everything. You should see your doctor as soon as possible after a vehicle accident to check for internal issues or other hidden injuries. If you skip this step, debilitating health concerns could pop up later in life as a result of the accident.
If Possible, Get Back on the Road Soon
One of the hidden side effects of getting in a car accident is your hesitancy to get back on the road. Some people will experience terror when they start driving again or be unable to focus because of the recent trauma. However, the longer you wait to return to normal driving habits, the harder it can be to finally do so.
Start with short and easy trips like to the nearby grocery store or down the block. This will help you ease back into the routine and help you overcome any fears about being on the road again. Don’t rush back into it with a two-hour trip to visit family as your first drive after the collision. Take your time and follow some helpful tips for driving after an accident.
Track Any Bills/Payments Associated with the Accident
An accident with a truck can have many financial ramifications. Your injuries could lead to high medical bills that drain your resources. Your insurance may not be able to cover the property damage that occurred, or you could be out of work for a while as you recover.
Tracking all of the expenses and financial losses that directly resulted from the accident will be important if you choose to file a personal injury claim. This process allows injured victims to pursue fair compensation in the event of an injury caused by someone else’s negligence. If you have data compiled that demonstrates your financial struggles, you will have a better chance of winning a fair settlement.
Take Care of Your Needs
Depending on the severity of the truck accident, there could be injuries, property damage, and emotional trauma that you have to overcome. It can be tempting to try returning to normalcy as quickly as possible and pretending like the whole thing never happened.
This could be a mistake. You have just gone through a life-changing ordeal that could affect you in ways that you may not understand. Follow these steps to look out for your well-being physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially after being involved in a truck accident. It may take more time than you think to recover and get back to a state of normal, so do not rush through it. Give yourself the time that you need and take care of yourself with purpose.