Being in an accident is always a traumatic experience. When you are involved in an accident with a commercial truck there is a whole new group of questions to consider. In most situations, the truck company is responsible for the harms and losses its truck driver causes under the theory of Respondeat Superior. In Maryland, commercial trucks must carry a mandatory minimum of $1 Million for bodily injury/liability coverage. It is extremely important to contact an experienced truck accident attorney to assist you with your accident.
If you are in an accident with a truck, there are a few steps you must take to ensure the safety of yourself and the other parties involved.
Take a deep breath and call 911.
An accident is a stressful and traumatic experience, which is why it is best to take a deep breath and try to focus on your next steps. Always call 911 so that a police officer can help with documenting the accident and gathering information for a full police report. Regardless of the severity of the accident, it is important to let the authorities fill out a proper report of the accident.
Document the Accident
Most people these days have a cell phone with a camera. Use your cell phone to take pictures of the accident so that you have evidence of the damage that was done. When contacting a lawyer, photos of the accident will help with smoothing out the details of your case.
Seek Medical Attention
If you are injured in a truck accident, you need to seek medical attention for your injuries. Even if you feel slight discomfort it could be a deeper medical issue. When involved in an accident or any experience of this magnitude, your body will release adrenaline and endorphins to help cope with the situation. A slight discomfort you may be feeling at the time of the accident could be a major medical issue. Make sure you go to the emergency room, your primary care doctor, or a walk-in clinic.
Call an Experienced Accident Attorney
With a commercial truck accident there are more legal issues that can arise compared to a normal car accident. Not only could the driver of the truck be liable for the accident, the company that driver works for could also be held accountable in some situations. It is important you seek the advice from an experienced lawyer to help communicate with the insurance agencies. Your most important concern is your health. You should focus on getting better and let an attorney handle the details of the case.