The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or IIHS says that about 29,989 motor crashes in 2014 in the United States were fatal. As a result of those crashes, about 32,675 deaths happened. That’s about 10.2 deaths every 100,000 people or about 1.08 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles covered.
That’s how often accidents on the road happen. And the more you drive, the more miles you cover, the higher the chances of an accident happening. So if you drive a truck for a living, know what you’ll need to do if you ever get into this situation. That way, you’ll be mentally and emotionally prepared for whatever happens every time you climb your truck and slide behind the wheel.
After an Accident
- Stay where you are. Don’t leave the crash site right away, if you can. Call the police to come over and help, if they haven’t already. Clearing the wreckage off the road is important so as to let the other drivers through.
- Get medical attention. Don’t dismiss the accident. Even if you think nothing’s wrong, have yourself checked out. You could be suffering from internal injuries that are more serious than you think.
- Get the other driver’s information. You need to know their information for when you file for your claim.
- Take pictures. Keep records of the accident. From snapshots of your car, the damage it sustained to your injuries and the crash site, take all the pictures you think you need. Better safe than sorry.
- Call your insurance provider about it. Let your insurance provider know about the accident as soon as possible. Just be careful you don’t get tricked into saying you were at fault for the accident. Otherwise, it could diminish the amount of compensation you end up with.
Hiring a Pro
Getting legal help is the best way to win your case. So don’t give in to an early settlement. You might be entitled to so much. Hire a trucking accident lawyer in West Chicago to look after your best interests and fight for your rights in court. With legal representation, you’re letting the insurance company as well as the other parties know you’re serious about seeking compensation. Also, your lawyer knows how the legal system works and can provide you with the background information you need to understand every step of the process. The more you understand, the more informed your choices would be.
By getting the services of a personal injury attorney, you don’t just get the compensation you’re entitled, you also get the peace of mind you deserve.
Woodruff Johnson & Palermo offers personal injury representation anytime you need us. Call us for more details.
