Truck Accident - Procedures

If you are in a Indiana truck accident, it is important that you do everything you can to document the events surrounding the accident. Your observations, photos, relevant eyewitness accounts, doctor diagnosis, and more are essential elements of your truck accident claim. And if you decide to hire an experienced Indiana truck accident lawyer, this information will help to strengthen your case against the negligent party of the truck accident.

At the Scene of the Collision:

Make observations.
Talk to everyone involved in the truck accident for information. Write down names, phone numbers, and insurance information for every driver. For the driver of the large truck, also record the name of the company he drives for.

Also identify the witnesses so there will be someone to support your case if it goes to court. Write down their names and addresses and interview them. Ask them what they saw and make a note of phrases they used like "slammed into," "plowed," "speeding," or "he ran the red light." And make sure you take down the contact information for all emergency personnel that respond to the scene of the truck accident, because they are witnesses who are key to the truck accident as well.

Take notes.
In addition, take note of the scene of the truck accident. Write down exactly what happened as soon as possible, while it is still fresh in your mind, and take pictures if you have a camera available for your use at the time. Make a point to remember, especially:

• Weather conditions at the time of the truck accident; rainy, windy, dark, etc.

• Road conditions at the time of the truck accident; under construction, traffic, potholes, debris, etc.

Immediately After the Collision:

See a Doctor.
If you are injured in a truck accident in Indiana, schedule an appointment with your own doctor as soon as possible. Don’t let the insurance adjuster choose a doctor for you. You have the right to a doctor of your choice.

Photograph the scene.
As always, time is of the essence. As soon as possible, take pictures of everything involved in the accident, including detailed pictures of the accident scene. Take note of anything that may have been involved in the accident that can be recorded on film:

• Sight distance and obstructions; take pictures that illustrate where the truck accident began and where it ended

• Traffic conditions existing at the time of the accident; take pictures while on the accident scene or return to the scene at the same time of day during similar traffic conditions.

• Signage in the area; take note of constructions signs or paraphernalia, traffic signs and signals, etc.

Photograph the vehicle.
Take pictures of your vehicle as soon as possible after your involvement in a Indiana truck accident. When the adjuster asks for proof of damage, it is difficult to dispute a picture taken of your vehicle at the collision scene. Pictures of the damage will help you and your Indiana truck accident lawyer tell your story. If possible, take pictures of the truck and any other vehicles involved in the truck accident as well. These pictures will help supply information about the severity of the impact associated with your truck accident collision.

Photograph your injuries.
Take pictures of your Indiana truck accident injuries before they heal. In many cases, the seat belt strap will bruise a client across the shoulder and chest, but after several weeks, those bruises heal. Months later, when the insurance adjuster is arguing that the truck accident was not very significant, pictures of your bruises and other injuries will help solidify your personal injury claim. Your truck accident lawyer will have solid, justifiable evidence to seek compensation for you.

As Time Passes:

Write down your observations.
Keep notes about your injuries from your Indiana truck accident. In 6 or 7 months, you might forget how it hurt just to get dressed, and the adjuster will try to make it seem like any description you give is an exaggeration. Write down your pain medications. These kinds of written documents can be very valuable to you and your truck accident lawyer when presenting your personal injury claim to the insurance adjuster or to a judge and jury in court.

Keep records of expenses.
The adjuster will ask for proof of anything you claim as an expense. Be sure you keep receipts for prescriptions, household services like lawn mowing and getting someone to cook for you, car rentals and so forth. Keep each of those receipts so you can document every expense.

Free Consultation

Have you or someone you care about have been injured in a truck accident? Contact a Indiana truck accident lawyer at Woods and Woods. Our main office is located in Evansville, Indiana including Jasper and Vincennes. Complete a Free Online Consultation Form or call us at 812-426-7200 for an immediate and confidential evaluation of your case.

© 2006 Woods and Woods Evansville, Indiana Injury Lawyers.
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