Driving in Austin and Travis County can be a daunting task even for the most experienced drivers with the amount of semi-trucks traveling in and through Austin every day. Chances are very high that you may be involved in a semi-truck accident at some point in your life. Understanding what to do when you are the victim of a semi-truck accident is vital to protecting your physical, mental, and emotional well being as well as damage sustained to your property. Semi-truck companies have an experienced legal team to protect them when handling semi-truck accidents involving their company. You’ve had the unfortunate experience of being in an accident. What should you do?
Reporting a Semi-Truck AccidentNever leave the scene of the accident or hit and run, you can face criminal charges if you are found guilty of leaving the scene or hit and run. Also, you can face charges for failing to stop and render aid if you are involved in the accident. Call 911 so that a police report and/or accident reports are filed. You should obtain copies of these reports as soon as they are available after the accident. Gather as much information as possible from all the parties involved. Name, address, contact information, insurance company, policy number, and witness information. Take photographs or pictures of the accident scene including any damage to your automobile.
Medical AttentionIf you are injured, you should remain stable in case you have suffered head or neck injury and be treated by emergency personnel. If not, you should still get physical examination from a certified medical practitioner. You want to do this as soon as possible after your accident. Make sure you receive medical documentation for all your visits to any medical facility whether you were injured or not. You can suffer injuries days, weeks, or months after an accident. This does not include your mental and emotional well being which you can be compensated if the other party is found to be at fault in the accident.
Economic and Non-Economic DamagesVictims involved in semi-truck accidents have the right to recover economic (monetary) and non-economic damages. Economic damages, also known as compensatory or special damages. Common economic damages awarded in 18 wheeler law suit are past medical expenses, future medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity. Non-economic damages in 18 wheeler accidents award victims for non-financial losses and are usually harder to quantify but usually include pain and suffering. Mental anguish is another form of non-economic damage which compensates the victim for the emotional distress they have suffered as a result of the accident.
Legal RightsIf you are the victim of an accident involving a semi-truck, you should hire or retain the services of a qualified semi-truck attorney. Texas law has a 2 year statute of limitations on these type of cases. IF YOU OR LOVED ONE HAS SUFFERED AN INJURY OR SERIOUS LOSS AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT, CALL CARABIN SHAW, DAY OR NIGHT. THE CONSULTATION IS FREE 800-862-1260.