18-Wheeler Accidents: What You Need to Know

When you share the roadway with large 18-wheeler trucks, you need to understand the impact of what happens if you were to get into an accident with one. You could face severe injuries, damages to your personal property, or worse.

If you are involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler, you may feel scared and not know what steps to take after the accident. Here are some things to keep in mind if you are ever involved in this type of accident.

Call Law Enforcement

If you are able, contact law enforcement as soon as you possibly can. Since large trucks mostly operate on interstates, freeways, or other busy roadways, a police officer needs to be on the scene as quickly as possible to control the other traffic in the area to prevent further accidents and injuries.

The police will secure the area and make sure that you and anyone nearby is safe. Once you and any others involved in the accident are secure, the police officer will interview everyone involved in the accident and take any witness accounts. Be honest and truthful with your account of the accident, but do not admit the accident was your fault. You also do not want to offer an apology.

If you do this, you can be found liable for the accident and ultimately pay for your damages and possibly those of the other drivers. You might believe your actions caused the accident, but another driver, road conditions, or other circumstances might actually be at fault.

Seek Medical Assistance

Injuries of all types can occur when you are in an accident with an 18-wheeler. While some injuries are apparent right away, others are not always noticeable until after the accident is over. You might begin to notice you have pain several hours later. This is due to the rush of adrenaline in your body after an accident. Once the adrenaline slows down, you might feel pain.

You should seek medical attention right after an accident with an 18-wheeler, even if you do not feel pain. You can have significant injuries you are not aware of that, when not diagnosed right away, can gradually get worse and result in a more significant problem.

Medical treatment will serve as part of your evidence if you intend to file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver of the truck. Your medical records will detail your injuries and their cause. Your medical records will also include the costs of your medical treatment along with any future treatment.

Call an Attorney

If you intend to file a personal injury lawsuit against the truck driver, the company the driver works for, or anyone else deemed at fault for the accident, you need a personal injury attorney on your side. An attorney will discuss your case, examine your evidence, and determine whether or not your lawsuit has merit.

Your attorney will also work with the insurance company. The insurance company of the truck driver or the trucking company can try to settle with you for a certain amount of money. You do not have to accept an offer if you would prefer to go to court. You and your attorney will discuss any offers made and decide whether or not you should accept.

If you choose not to accept an offer, your attorney will represent you in court. Please contact us at Wegner & Associates if you need legal assistance or representation. We will go over your case and help you make the best decision for your circumstances. We will work hard to get you the fairest compensation possible for your accident.