Being involved in any type of vehicle accident can be a frightening experience. When the collision involves a big rig, the resulting damages are often catastrophic. While the city of Houston and its surrounding metro area are taking precautions to keep roads safer for everyone, accidents still happen.
If you’re involved in a wreck with a commercial truck, it’s a good idea to contact a Houston big rig accident lawyer. Even though your attorney will take care of handling your accident claim, there are some things you can do to help the process move along a little more smoothly.
What To Do After a Collision with a Big Rig
There’s a chance your injuries will be too severe to do anything after colliding with a commercial truck. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), over 5,788 people were killed in accidents involving large trucks in 2021. The percentage of injuries is higher, with around 24% of victims reporting serious or catastrophic injuries.
If your injuries require immediate medical attention, don’t worry; your accident lawyer can handle all the details. However, if you’re fortunate enough to not require an ambulance ride to the emergency room, you can take a few steps to help protect your potential personal injury claim.
Get Your Bearings
Being hit by a big rig, even at a relatively slow rate of speed can leave you dazed and feeling a little confused. Take a second to get your bearings—in other words, don’t automatically open your vehicle’s door.
You may have ended up in a lane with oncoming traffic. The last thing you want to do is cause an accident simply by trying to exit your damaged vehicle. Make sure it’s safe to leave your vehicle, before opening a door.
This is also when you want to perform a quick assessment of yourself. You’re checking for any visible injuries and tender spots that may indicate internal damage. If there are passengers in your vehicle, check to see if they require immediate medical assistance.
When it’s safe to exit your vehicle, check on the condition of anyone else, including the truck driver. The more information you can provide the emergency operator the better they can respond to your accident.
Report the Accident
This isn’t a suggestion, it’s the law. Texas has strict laws governing when accidents must be immediately reported. Any vehicle accident resulting in injuries, fatalities, or property damage exceeding $1,000 must be reported to the authorities. Since vehicle collisions involving large trucks typically result in severe property damage, it’s best to presume you need to report the collision.
Failing to report the accident can result in misdemeanor charges that can jeopardize your ability to file a claim for your damages. Instead, you may be facing a hit-and-run charge, even if the collision isn’t your fault. Wait at the accident scene and be ready to answer all questions posed by the responding officers.
A quick tip when answering police questions. Don’t go into detail about events leading up to the accident, which applies even if you’re positive you’re not at fault for the collision. While the authorities may not blame you for the wreck based solely on your responses, your words can still come back to haunt you.
The insurance adjuster for the truck driver can use your statements to try and reduce the value of your claim. Keeping your responses short but truthful can help protect the integrity of your accident claim.
Make a Medical Appointment
If you can walk away after an accident involving a big rig, count yourself lucky. As we mentioned earlier, around 24% of all big rig accidents in Texas result in severe injuries. However, don’t push your luck too far—this isn’t the time to try your hand at the blackjack table. Instead, you should be focusing on making an appointment with your physician or a general healthcare provider.
You may have internal injuries that can take a while to start showing any signs or symptoms. Even your seatbelt can cause injuries that should receive medical attention.
If your accident claim lists your injuries as recoverable damages, you’re going to need to provide proof. In other words, you can’t simply claim you suffered internal injuries. You must have evidence to support each damage noted in your insurance claim. Your medical records, bills, receipts, and even prescriptions, are all considered supporting evidence.
Contact the Insurance Company
This step can be a little tricky; your goal is to only alert the truck driver’s insurance provider that you’re planning on filing an accident claim. That’s it. You don’t want to get stuck in a conversation about the accident details or even your damages.
Don’t allow the insurance adjuster to record your phone conversation. If you’re informed that it’s standard practice, simply wish the insurance adjuster a good day and end the call.
You may think this is a little paranoid. After all, how does a recorded phone call impact your upcoming personal injury claim? Remember how we mentioned that insurance companies can use your words against you? Just imagine what they can try to do when everything you say is recorded. Wait until your Houston accident attorney is present before getting into any details.
Assess Your Property Damage
Okay, you may need to take a deep breath before you fully assess your vehicle’s damage. After being hit by a big rig the damage is usually extensive. Your vehicle may not even be drivable and the repair shop is advising you to write it off as a loss.
Yes, you can recover the loss of your vehicle, including its pre-accident value, which is also when it’s helpful to have a copy of the Kelley Blue Book close at hand. This is the accepted source for all vehicle values regardless of the make or model.
Contact a Houston Accident Attorney
Before you even consider sitting down to negotiate with the insurance adjuster, it’s always wise to have legal representation. This holds true no matter the severity of your injuries or the extent of your damages.
An experienced accident attorney can help ensure that you receive fair compensation for your big rig accident by protecting your rights, handling negotiations, and presenting a strong case. Their guidance can make a crucial difference in the outcome of your claim.
