Getting Rear-Ended by a Semi-Truck Often Leads to Serious Injuries
Settling with the insurance company after an accident like this is usually a big mistake.
An experienced truck accident lawyer can make sure you aren’t stuck with unfair bills and worries after the crash.
With Michael Beliz, consultations are free, so call today.
Learn more about what you should do after a crash:
Semi-trucks, also called tractor-trailers or big rigs, can cause devastating injuries when they collide with passenger vehicles. These trucks can weight 50,000-80,000 pounds when fully loaded, up to 40 times the weight of a passenger vehicle. Unfortunately, crashes involving semis seem to be on the rise. According to statistics kept by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were over 4,000 large trucks involved in fatal accidents in 2015, almost a 10% increase over the year before. Furthermore, there were 87,000 large trucks in accidents that caused bodily injuries. If you have been rear-ended by a semi-truck, remember the following tips.
Call the Police
If you don’t call the police, you are making things harder for yourself. Once the police arrive, they will make a police report identifying the parties involved in the collision and any witnesses. The officer also might identify who is at fault for the accident. A police report is a great way to jumpstart the evidence-gathering process. If you are too hurt to call the police, ask someone else to call for you.
Seek Medical Treatment
There is no way around it—semi trucks can cause catastrophic injuries to those involved. In addition to death, they cause the following serious injuries:
- Broken bones
- Crushed limbs
- Amputations
- Head injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Pinched nerves
- Paralysis
Even if the injuries are not apparent immediately after the collision, you should seek medical attention immediately. Many types of injuries, like traumatic brain injuries and internal bleeding, may not be visible or felt at the accident site. It may take days for the pains to appear, which may be too late. Therefore you should go to a medical provider to get a thorough physical examination.
Do Not Talk to the Semi Truck Insurance Insurance
Do not talk and admit that you did something wrong that led to the crash. Anything you say can be used against you later, so always stay quiet. There is no law that says you must talk to the insurance company regarding the facts or injuries of the claim. If an insurance adjuster wants to speak to you, have them contact your lawyer first.
Collect Evidence
In order to receive compensation, you need to show that the semi-truck driver was responsible for the crash. And to prove who was at fault, you will need evidence. Remember to gather the following:
- Take pictures of the final resting place of the semi-truck and any vehicles involved. Use your smartphone and ask a bystander to take pictures if you can’t move around.
- Get the name of the driver of the semi-truck plus get the insurance information.
- Take photos of the semi-truck both of the cab and the cargo area.
- Get a copy of the police report.
- Identify witnesses if they are not identified in the police report.
Your lawyer will find this information helpful when analyzing whether you can have a case and the determination of the value of the case.
Hire a Long Beach Truck Accident Lawyer
To make a claim against the trucking company’s insurer, you need a seasoned advocate in your corner. Insurance companies play tough, trying to settle claims for as little as possible. Instead of negotiating with the insurance agent on your own, you should hire a truck accident lawyer who will fight for your rights.
At the Beliz Law Firm, we have over a decade of experience in personal injury law and have helped numerous clients reach favorable results in their cases. To schedule a free consultation, contact us today.
Michael A. Beliz, Esq., established The Beliz Law Firm in the spring of 2011. Michael has been a practicing attorney since 2006 and worked for two of the most prominent plaintiff’s personal injury law firms in Southern California. He has worked on and handled hundreds of cases as an attorney in all types of personal injury cases, including vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents and dog bites, and successfully recovered millions of dollars for his clients.
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