Truck accidents are scary experiences. So many things happen in the blink of an eye. Yet the situation doesn’t necessarily get easier after you leave the scene of the accident. You may have to deal with painful injuries. There may be a lengthy accident reconstruction by the police. The truck company’s legal team may want to blame you for the accident. At Fales & Fales, we’ve gathered answers for the important questions that clients commonly ask after a truck accident. If you have any further questions or concerns about your specific accident, reach out to our law office so we can provide a personal consultation.
What are the first things I should do after a truck accident?
What if the truck driver tries to leave the scene before the police arrive?
When should I give out accident statements?
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim?
What type of lawyer should I contact?
Q: What are the first things I should do after a truck accident?
The very first thing you should do is check for injuries to yourself and your passengers. If nobody is injured in your vehicle, check the truck driver in case he or she needs medical assistance and cannot contact anyone. Call 911 and report that an accident occurred. Seek immediate medical attention for injuries. Pain and other symptoms might not appear until hours or days later. See your doctor promptly if you have pain or other symptoms.
Take pictures of the accident scene. Write down pertinent information while it is fresh because you or surrounding witnesses may forget details later on. Stay at the accident scene until the police arrive to make a report unless your injuries require you to be removed sooner by medical responders.
Q: What if the truck driver tries to leave the scene before the police arrive?
The truck driver should also stay at the accident scene unless he or she needs to be transported to the hospital to get medical care. Before the truck driver leaves, get their contact information, insurance information and license plate number. Truck drivers are required by federal law to carry insurance to operate across the country. The state of Maine also has laws concerning insurance for truck drivers. If the truck driver insists on leaving without giving you the required accident information, do not get into a confrontation. Provide the police with the truck’s license plate number and a description of the driver.
Q: When should I give out accident statements?
You will more than likely be asked to give your version of events to the police officer at the scene. A few days later, you may be contacted by the truck company’s lawyers or insurance carriers asking you for a statement. What you want to avoid is giving inconsistent statements that the company’s lawyer or insurance company later tries to use against you. Think about contacting a lawyer before volunteering to give statements to the truck company, its lawyers or its insurance companies. At Fales & Fales, we can help protect your rights after a truck accident.
Q: How long do I have to file a personal injury claim?
Maine legislature allows many claims to be filed within six years from the date of the accident but under certain circumstances a shorten or longer time limitation may apply. Contacting a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible allows the lawyer to investigate, gather evidence, read reports and collect witness statements while the information is still available. You can also learn how long you have to file a personal injury claim under the particular circumstances of your accident.
Q: What type of lawyer should I contact?
Attorneys can concentrate their law practice in different areas of the law. If you or a loved one has been in an accident and sustained injuries or damages, you should contact think about consulting an experienced lawyer who handles personal injury cases.
It’s understandable that you may be under stress after a truck accident. You may be suffering from painful injuries. You may be unable to work. When the truck company hears about the accident, its team of investigators and lawyers will be working on a defense. If you believe the truck driver may be at fault for the accident, consider contacting the law offices of Fales & Fales as soon as possible. We will evaluate your case. We can provide a consultation so your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you are entitled to under the law.
