What to Do if You’re Involved in a Truck Accident in Virginia Beach

A lot of drivers hate to share the road with truck drivers. That’s because tractor trailers can be quite intimidating. They’re powerful machines that tend to drive faster than they should – especially on the highway. If a truck driver makes a simple mistake, it can be involved in a deadly truck accident. Truck accidents are some of the most dangerous of all motor vehicle accidents. A passenger vehicle simply doesn’t stand a chance against a tractor trailer. This is why it’s really important that you know what to do in the event you do get into a crash with a truck.

Your Virginia Beach truck accident lawyer needs to make sure you take the following steps after a truck accident. If you don’t, you could jeopardize your chances of receiving damages. If you’re involved in a truck accident, you need to do the following things:

  • Call 911
  • Go to the hospital and seek immediate medical treatment
  • Make sure the cops come to investigate the accident scene
  • Contact your truck accident lawyer right away so they have time to prepare your case

If you do these things, you’ll preserve your legal claim. You don’t want to make your truck accident lawyer in Virginia Beach’s job any harder than it already is.

Always Call the Police

Some people think it’s okay to not call the cops if the accident is minor. There are very few truck accidents that don’t cause some type of serious injury. So, if the truck driver asks you not to call the cops, don’t agree to it. There is never a good reason for anyone to not want to call the cops.

Some of the reasons the tractor trailer driver may want to avoid calling the police include:

  • They don’t have their commercial driver’s license
  • They have active warrants or are afraid they’ll lose their job
  • They have no insurance
  • They are driving a stolen truck
  • They’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol

The police will do a thorough investigation of the accident scene. They’ll collect the necessary evidence to help both drivers protect their legal rights. Some of the evidence they’ll collect includes:

  • Copies of the truck’s maintenance logs
  • The truck driver’s hours log
  • Pictures of the accident scene
  • Statements made by both drivers
  • Description of the road conditions
  • Notes about whether either driver was drunk or high at the time of the crash

You Must Seek Medical Treatment

It’s very rare that someone hit by a tractor trailer will walk away with no injuries. This is because trucks are so larger and powerful. When they crash into a passenger vehicle, the results can be deadly.

This is why you need to seek medical treatment immediately after your crash. You have no idea if you’ve been injured or not. You could be hurt and not know it. Some of the injuries that don’t show up right away include:

  • Internal injuries
  • Back injuries
  • Neck and head injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Broken bones and lacerations
  • Facial disfigurement

Your Virginia Beach truck accident lawyer is going to need to prove your injuries. The best way to do this is with your medical records. When you go to the hospital after your crash, they’ll conduct the tests to determine your injuries. These tests may include any or all of the following:

  • X-Rays
  • CT scans
  • MRSs
  • Physical Examination
  • Neurological Exam

Nobody should refuse medical treatment following their tractor trailer accident. There’s simply too much that can go wrong. Worst case, the doctor checks you out and declares you injury free. It’s worth the few hours in the emergency room to determine your injuries.

Handling Your Own Lawsuit Can Be Difficult

There’s no rule that says you have to hire a truck accident lawyer at Virginia Injury Law. You can certainly try to handle your case by yourself. That may not be the best move though. You don’t have the experience necessary to handle your own lawsuit. Navigating the courts can be difficult, even for seasoned attorneys.

You should contact an experienced truck accident lawyer in Virginia Beach. They’ll deal with the insurance company on your behalf. If your claim is denied, they’ll try to negotiate payment with the insurance adjuster. If this isn’t possible, they’ll have no choice but to file a lawsuit on your behalf.

Contact an experienced Virginia truck accident attorney today and schedule your free initial consultation.