As a driver, you know that sharing the road with large vehicles, such as commercial trucks, is part of your daily life.
Unfortunately, truckers don’t always take the same approach. Instead, since they are in the larger vehicle, they don’t feel the need to share the road and respect those around them.
When a passenger vehicle and truck are involved in a crash, the end result can be serious injury or even death. Taking this one step further, it’s typically the person or people in the smaller vehicle who are at a disadvantage.
How to Prevent a Truck Accident
It goes without saying that you never want to be involved in a truck accident. While there is no guarantee that you will avoid this, there are steps you can take to prevent trouble.
Above all else, and as noted above, make sure you are willing to share the road at all times. When everyone does this, the likelihood of an accident is much smaller.
Also, keep plenty of distance between your vehicle and the many trucks on the road. This is easier said than done, but there are steps you can take to achieve success in this area.
For example, if you’re in the left lane and a truck wants to pass, move over and let the person through. This is better than the alternative, which is having a truck tailgate you for a long period of time.
What to do After an Accident
While you may take several steps in an attempt to avoid a truck accident, this is not always good enough. Even if you’re driving in a safe manner, a trucker could make a mistake, such as texting and driving, that causes an accident.
If you’re involved, it’s imperative that you take the right steps at the right time.
First off, your health should be priority number one. If you’ve suffered any type of injury, make sure you call for an ambulance.
Tip: even if you feel okay after the accident, it’s better to be safe than sorry. There is always the chance that you could have suffered an internal injury.
Secondly, check on others in your vehicle (if you’re able to do so). Just because you made it through the accident uninjured doesn’t mean that your passengers were as lucky.
Along with an ambulance, it’s always a good idea to have the police on the scene. If you are unable to call yourself, ask a witness or passerby to do so on your behalf.
Not only can police help everyone involved in the accident, but the responding officer will create a report. This may be something you need in the future when making an insurance claim or filing a lawsuit.
Once you’ve recovered, it’s time to focus on the cause of the accident. In short, you need to determine who was at fault. If you feel that the trucker was acting in a negligent manner, such as by speeding, you may be able to hold him or her responsible for your injuries and other damages.
Unfortunately, a truck accident can put you in a bad spot in regards to your health and finances. Not only do you have medical bills related to the accident, but it’s not out of the question that you could also have long lasting health concerns that require treatment and ongoing therapy.
Conclusion
You have rights and you should do whatever you can to protect them. From negotiating with insurance companies to filing a lawsuit, there will be a lot on your plate. For this reason, don’t hesitate to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney.
At our law firm, we understand that a truck accident can change your life forever. This is why we take so much pride in helping people who find themselves in this situation.
It’s never easy to deal with the aftermath of an accident, but there are steps you can take to feel better about what the future will bring.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact us as soon as possible. From there, we can provide you with advice and do whatever it takes to protect your legal rights while helping you receive the compensation you deserve.
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