Commercial trucks, 18-wheelers, and semi-trucks are often responsible for some of the most devastating accidents in California. Just thinking of the sheer size & weight of a commercial truck should give you an idea of the damage it can cause to other vehicles, especially passenger cars and motorcycles. If you were hurt in a truck accident in Stockton, you need to be proactive and find the best ways to recover a settlement. Keep in mind that you cannot expect to deal with the circumstances alone. You need a Stockton truck accident attorney on your side, and in this post, we share five things that need your immediate attention.
Seek prompt medical care
Even when you believe that your injuries aren’t severe, you need to see a licensed physician immediately after the truck accident. Many injury symptoms don’t show up before days have passed, and if your injuries are serious, you may need to spend months or even years in recovery. Find the nearest emergency room or call 911 from the accident scene. Getting checked by a doctor will ensure you have all the required documentation, which is essential and critical for your injury claim.
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Report and document the accident
Firstly, don’t run away from the scene. You need to call the local law enforcement or the California Highway Patrol (CHP) immediately. If you feel okay about the situation and don’t have a major injury, you should consider taking pictures and videos of the accident scene. Make sure you document the truck, ask for the driver’s license, and if there were witnesses at the site, get their contact details. The more evidence you have, the better your chances of recovering a fair settlement.
Truck accidents are unique
Typically, when another car rams into your vehicle, you know who is at fault. However, truck accidents are inherently complex. Besides the driver, the trucking company or the service responsible for loading the truck could be liable parties. In many situations, the at-fault party could be a truck maintenance company or the manufacturer. Investigating truck accidents is often tricky, and it is challenging to recover evidence.
Insurance companies don’t care
Because California is a fault state, you typically file a claim with the truck company’s commercial insurer. However, don’t believe the claims adjuster if they try to undermine your injuries or offer a lower payout. They may even ask you to give a statement. Instead, let your attorney take over. They know what tactics and means insurance carriers use and can counter them effectively.
Not all injury lawyers are equal
Personal injury lawyers handle a wide range of cases, from medical malpractice to car accident claims. However, not many can claim to have worked on truck accident lawsuits. From the investigation to contacting experts and gathering evidence from diverse sources, lawyers have a prominent role and must make the most of their expertise and resources. A competent truck accident attorney should have a proven track record, and more importantly, they must have been to court. When you file a lawsuit, you are up against gigantic trucking companies and their legal teams, and you don’t want to risk the situation.
Final word
If you aren’t sure how to choose an attorney for your truck accident claim, we recommend you start with reviews and ratings. You can also schedule meetings with top law firms, and most of them won’t charge a fee until you win, which is a significant advantage. The first consultation is usually free, and you can discuss all aspects, such as the damages you can recover, the experience of the attorney, and the available legal options.
