Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. They can happen at any time due to a variety of reasons. Hundreds of thousands of people get harmed by Taxes each year because of speeding, driving under the influence, changing lanes, failure to yield, fatigue, drunk and distracted driving, etc.
In states like Texas, larger vehicles such as trucks have more presence on the road due to logistics operations. However, with more trucks on the road, there is room for more truck accidents.
Any motor vehicle accident can be terrifying. But getting into one with a truck may result in more extensive trauma.
So what do you if you’re involved in a truck accident in Texas? Continue reading to learn the series of steps you should take.
Table of Contents
Immediately Call 9-1-1
One of the first things you should do after a Texas truck accident is checking for any injuries and call 9-1-1. It’s imperative that you and your passengers receive medical treatment quickly. This is the fasted method to report the truck accident and acquire emergency medical help.
Even if you don’t think things are too severe, make sure that you call for help. You may overlook other injuries that you or others may have.
It is significant to contact 9-1-1 to record the occurrence of the unexpected accident. Depending on where you are, the police or Texas DPS will arrive at the scene to offer additional assistance. File an incident report with the responding officers and get a copy for your records.
Exchange Contact Information and Insurance
After ensuring that the parties involved haven’t suffered significant damage, you’ll need to exchange contact information and insurance with the other driver.
Tensions may be high, so do your best to remain cordial to get the necessary information. Also, make sure that you don’t apologize for the accident or talk about it. That could harm your future claim.
Take Pictures of the Accident
Taking pictures is one of the most important steps after being involved in an accident. It may be the only reliable evidence that you have for your claim.
Photography of the scene is important information that would help you in explaining your side of the story. You can take photos or record a video of the scene such as mid-range and close-up shots of accidental damage, roadway images, traffic signals & signage, vehicle position, and license plates to identify the owner.
Walk around each vehicle, and document the damage to both. Also, get an overall view of the scene to give a clearer idea of who caused the accident. These photos help in providing significant information on potential witnesses, how things contributed to the truck accident and finding the root cause of the incident.
Call Your Lawyer
Trucking companies will have their lawyers and investigators on the case to try and reduce settlement costs if they’re responsible. So you’ll need to hire a lawyer. Proper legal representation is valuable when it comes to an 18-wheeler. You must go for the best practicing and experienced truck accident attorney to get knowledgeable assistance for the settlement of the matter.
Texas truck accident laws can make both parties responsible for the damage. So it may be challenging to recover damages from the wreck. But you can view here for more information about Texas truck lawyers and how they can help your claim. The legal representative would consider both local and federal level factors to minimize your risk, guide you in the necessary paperwork, and communicate from your end to claim the insurance process.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
Being involved in a car accident no one plans for but if that happens insurance claim is the one hope for the vehicle owner to get maximum recovery after accident loss.
Once you have enough information about the accident and the driver, it’s time to notify your insurance provider. Let them know how the accident occurred and give them other necessary details.
Ask your insurance agent to pass all the important information to the company’s claim department. The insurance company has the right to check your medical & work records and to inspect your vehicle.
However, make sure that you don’t make any statements to your insurance provider without speaking to your lawyer first. It could hurt your potential claim.
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Follow These Steps After a Truck Accident in Texas
Now you know what to do if you get in a truck accident in Texas. No one wants to get into collisions, but it’ll make the situation a little less complicated if you follow the steps above. Continue to practice safe driving techniques to avoid potential accidents.
Hopefully, this article has been helpful. If it has, feel free to check out our other posts for related content.
