Houston sees its fair share of truck accidents and many of these accidents result in either personal injuries or damage being done to the vehicles involved. Unfortunately, many accidents involving trucks and other commercial vehicles result in catastrophic injury to the parties involved.
What to Do Immediately After an Accident with a Truck
If you need emergency medical attention, you should always heed the advice of the medical professionals at the scene of the accident. If none of the parties involved need immediate medical attention, it is critical to gather as much information as possible. Start with obtaining the driver’s license information of the truck driver—operators of a commercial vehicle are required to have a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) by federal and state laws. If the CDL holder works for a company, it is important to get that company’s information as well. Many times, a company may be found to be vicariously liable for the employee’s actions if the employee was performing work-related duties when the incident occurred. Make sure to obtain the insurance information for all involved parties.
Documenting the Scene of the Incident
In addition to gathering driver’s license and insurance information, it is important to take pictures and obtain information from any potential witnesses who would be willing to testify. When taking photographs, make note of any nearby street signs (if any) or potholes in the nearby area. Take as many pictures as necessary to document the scene fully.
Seek Counsel Before Talking to the Insurance Company
Many people who have been in a truck accident make the common mistake of communicating with insurance companies immediately after the accident without first speaking with an attorney. Insurance companies are businesses and mainly worry about their profit margins. If there is any reason to deny or limit liability on a claim, an insurance adjuster will find a way under the policy agreement. Policy agreements can be rather lengthy and complicated to understand. An attorney will be able to properly argue the terms of the insurance policy and why they should be enforced. Saying the wrong thing to the insurance company could lead to a lower offer for settlement or flat out denial.
A truck company may claim that the accident was not the result of the driver, but instead the result of a manufacturer’s failure to properly install the brakes or a mechanic’s failure to properly service the brakes, or due to another truck defect. These types of multi-party claims can be extremely complicated and require the help of a highly experienced truck accident attorney who has handled such complex cases before.
Speak with an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney in Houston
If you or a loved one has suffered harm as a result of being involved in a truck accident, contact a Houston personal injury lawyer as soon as possible at the office of Stewart J. Guss. An experienced truck accident lawyer will be able to effectively guide you through the process of filing a claim with an insurance company and negotiating a settlement, so please call today at 800-898-4877 to discuss your situation for free.
