Do You Know What to Do after an 18-Wheeler Accident?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas is home to more than 180,000 truck drivers, which means our state has a higher rate of employment in the trucking industry than anywhere else in the country. Unfortunately, with more 18-wheelers on the road comes a higher risk of being involved in a semi-truck accident.

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that Texas had the highest number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes in 2013. What these numbers don’t convey is the extreme financial and emotional hardship faced by truck wreck victims and their families.

If you were injured in a truck accident, contact a Longview injury lawyer from the Cooper Law Firm. You may be entitled for compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages and non-economic damages.

Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation. You can also visit http://truck-accident.usattorneys.com/ to learn more about truck accident injury claims.

8 Steps to Take Immediately after an 18-Wheeler Crash

Truckers work long hours and often drive through the night. Even experienced CDL drivers are not immune to fatigue, and all it takes is one mistake to cause a serious accident.

As you might suspect, passenger-vehicle occupants tend to suffer the worst of the impact in semi-truck wrecks. Even a slow-speed collision can cause broken bones, spinal injuries and brain trauma.

If you are injured by a drunk, distracted or otherwise negligent trucker in Texas, then you can claim compensation for medical bills, lost income and other damages. However, your actions and statements after the accident will impact your ability to recover fair compensation.

Follow these eight steps to protect your interests after a truck crash:

1. Check yourself and other people for injuries;
2. Call the police. If somebody was injured, then request medical assistance;
3. Take pictures of injuries, property damage, skid marks and traffic signs. Your injury lawyer can use these to prove negligence and liability, and to tie your injuries to the crash;
4. Make sure a police officer compiles an accident report. Ask for a copy;
5. Record the names, phone numbers and email addresses of eyewitnesses. Your attorney may use witness testimonies to support your claim;
6. Record the DOT number of the truck and the driver’s insurance information;
7. Visit your doctor for a medical evaluation. If you put off a medical exam, then it may be difficult to tie your injuries to the crash or to prove the value of your damages; and
8. Contact a truck accident attorney who has experience litigation personal-injury lawsuits related to 18-wheeler wrecks.

It is important that you consult an injury lawyer as soon as possible. Over time, witnesses may change their contact information or relocate. Also, essential evidence such as the black box data may become unavailable.

N. Eric Cooper is a truck accident attorney in Longview, Texas who will evaluate your case, interview witnesses, gather evidence and help you fight for the maximum compensation. Mr. Cooper helps clients throughout east Texas. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation.