A car wreck can be a frightening ordeal to experience, especially if your car is significantly damaged or you or your passengers are injured. And even if there is little to no vehicle damage and no one in your car sustains an injury, you can still walk away from the incident mentally and emotionally scarred.
An accident with a tractor-trailer can increase the trauma exponentially, considering the major size differences and the magnitude of the damage a semi-truck can cause upon impact.
If you ever experience a tractor-trailer accident in Georgia, here are the first steps you should take:
Report the Wreck With 911
It can be disorienting and confusing to be struck by a tractor-trailer. If you are able, contact 911 immediately. Georgia law states that drivers must report accidents involving injury, death, or property damage that exceeds $500. And the likelihood of sustaining an injury and major property damage during an accident with a tractor-trailer is high. By calling 911, you will ensure that the police will arrive to evaluate the situation and complete the report. Plus, first responders will be dispatched to offer medical assistance.
In addition to taking care of your reporting obligation and ensuring everyone receives proper medical attention, your call to 911 can help strengthen your case should you need evidence in an insurance claim or a lawsuit.
Assess Yourself and Your Passengers
You may do this while on the phone with 911, but it is crucial to ensure you and your passengers are either okay or receiving first aid. While on the phone with the 911 operator, they may ask questions regarding the medical status of those in your car. Should you or anyone else need first aid, the operator will likely talk you through administering the needed service.
Possible first aid services your dispatcher may help you through can include:
- Performing CPR
- Stopping bleeding
- Reducing further damage if a bone is broken
Do not hang up with 911 until responders have arrived. If someone is injured, do not hang up until the EMTs or other medical care comes.
Talk to the Police and Your Insurance Claims Department
The responding officer or officers will want to speak with you about the accident. If you are well enough to do so, talk to them to explain the accident from your perspective. Be honest in your account—do not elaborate, dramatize, or point fingers. It’s better to lay out the facts of the accident and only include relevant details.
For instance, if you noticed the truck driver driving erratically before the accident, speeding and swerving between your lane and theirs, explain the behaviors, but do not dress up the account by overstating the facts.
An example of what you could say in a scenario like the one mentioned: “We noticed the truck was driving erratically for about two miles before the accident. The truck traveled much faster than we were while we were going the speed limit, and it rode the line between our two lanes for a while. Eventually, they slowed down to where we caught up beside them. Then, they began to swerve in and out of our lane. Before we could safely merge away from the truck, it made impact with us.”
An example of what not to say in a scenario like the one mentioned: “The driver was speeding faster than a bullet and moving all over the lanes. By the time we made impact, the truck might as well have toppled over, the driver was swerving so hard.”
While example #2 paints a vivid picture, it is dramatized and does not help establish the facts of the accident. Try to be as thorough but factual as possible in your statement.
Additionally, you must contact your insurance carrier as soon as possible to report the accident. Again, stick to the facts and do not point fingers or intentionally or unintentionally blame yourself. Your carrier’s goal is to pay as little as possible, so avoid incriminating statements and just provide the facts.
Don’t Be Afraid to Wait to Talk to Your Attorney Before Talking to the Police
Your accident could cause you to enter a state of shock where you are not able to give a proper, accurate account or you do not feel comfortable doing so. It is okay to wait, speak with an attorney, and then provide a formal statement for the police report. When the police begin asking you questions, politely explain that you would like to wait to make a statement until after you’ve consulted with your lawyer.
Hire a Trusted Semi-Truck Accident Attorney
If you want to pursue legal action following your accident, it is essential to choose more than a personal injury lawyer—you need to select a firm that specializes in semi-truck accidents. Your attorney will be able to guide you with sound advice and fight for optimal outcomes from your case. Your attorney will also be the point of contact with your insurance company and the trucking company or truck driver involved in the accident. Let your legal team handle communication, evidence collection, negotiations, court filings, and all other acts needed to advocate for you thoroughly.
The Truck Accident Lawyers at Clark, Smith & Sizemore Are Ready to Fight for Your Case.
A tractor-trailer accident can be detrimental. If you are a victim of a semi-truck accident, talk to our attorneys at Clark, Smith & Sizemore. We will thoroughly investigate your case and fiercely represent you in the fight for justice. Call us today for a free consultation: 478-254-5040.
Thank you for reading our 6-part series on semi-truck accidents. If you missed any of the previous articles or want to revisit them, check out the links below:
- Safety Tips for Driving Near an 18-Wheeler in a Construction Zone
- Avoid These Moves When Sharing the Highway with a Semi-Truck
- Warning Signs of Erratic Driving: Semi-Truck Edition
- Maximize Road Safety by Recognizing These Semi-Truck Blind Spots
- Can Bad Weather Increase My Chance of a Semi-Truck Accident?
What to Do if You Experience a Tractor-Trailor Accident