What to Do After a Truck Accident in North Carolina? 2024

Truck collisions are quite deadly, and sometimes, they create severe physical, psychological, and financial issues for the injured parties. When you know what to do after a truck accident in North Carolina, you will protect your medical and legal rights. You should seek medical attention, acquire documentation, and consult with an attorney, all of which can have an impact on your recovery and future claims.

Immediate Steps to Take After a Truck Accident

If you are in an accident involving a truck, it is important that you take the necessary steps immediately following the accident. These steps can help you not only quickly receive help but also make a difference in any future claims you may make.

1. Be safe and reach out to emergency services. There’s nothing more important after an accident than being safe. Move to a spot out of traffic and dial 911 if you can. If you notify the emergency services of the crash, officers and doctors are sent out to the location. If you have been in a truck crash, there can be some major injuries so professionals should be able to review the accident and report it.
2. Seek medical attention. Even if you’re fine at first, get medical advice. Truck accident injuries don’t show up immediately, and they can show up as late as hours or days later. Having your medical record from the accident also helps when you need to file any legal or insurance claim because it shows that there was a direct relationship between the accident and your injuries.
3. List details of the accident scene. Gather as many details from the accident scene as possible. Capture photos or videos of the cars involved, the road, any injuries that you see, etc. These records will prove useful to your claim as a visual document of the crash. Obtain contact information from witnesses because testimony from them may support your evidence.
4. Exchange information. Exchange names, contact information, insurance details, and vehicle information with the truck driver and any other involved parties. Do not talk about the details of the accident, as this is testimony at the scene that could be used against you. Just do the research and have the necessary facts in hand for later.
5. Notify your insurance company. Contact your insurance company and report the accident. Be credible, but concise and talk only about the essential aspects of the accident. Avoid speculating or admitting fault. You’ll need your insurance company to go investigate the accident so by being detailed, you can get them started.

Additional Steps for Protecting Your Rights

In addition to the above steps, these additional steps can further protect you, your rights, and your future claims.

• Consider consulting a lawyer. Truck accidents can be legal and insurance issues complicated due to a lot of factors, including the trucking company, their insurers, and others. You need a lawyer who knows what to do and who can communicate with insurance carriers and obtain evidence to help you. An attorney can help lift the burden off your shoulders if you’ve had a terrible crash.
• Track your medical treatment and fees. Keep a log of all your medical treatments, prescriptions, doctor’s appointments, and other costs that you may incur because of the accident. When you chronicle your recovery, you can figure out exactly what you lost, including the cost of future medical treatments. You’ll need that information if you sue for damages for your injuries and costs.
• Never talk about the accident on social media. Some people share personal life happenings on social media, but you shouldn’t post about a truck crash on social media. Insurance companies or opposition lawyers might keep track of your accounts to see if they have any data they can turn against you. Never mention that you have injuries, are recovering, or were in an accident until your claim is settled.

FAQs

What Should I Do If I Think the Truck Driver Was at Fault?

If you think the truck driver was at fault, gather as much evidence on the spot and notify the police officers. Liability in a truck accident can be multi-faceted, including multiple defendants, including the trucking company, loaders, or repair servicemen. A lawyer can also help you find the blame and analyze things such as driver logs, maintenance records, and truck inspections.

Can I Still File a Claim If I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?

With contributory negligence in North Carolina, you are disqualified from receiving payment if you are found at fault even at 1%. It is a tough rule that can make it difficult to try a claim if there is some sense of collective fault. You should contact an attorney because they can collect evidence to diminish or rule out responsibility for it and defend your claim for compensation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, you’ve got three years from the accident to bring a personal injury lawsuit. This can be impacted by specific conditions, though, in the case of commercial trucks. You should talk to an attorney if you want to ensure that you still have your right to a payment, and he or she can advise you on what you need to do within the legal framework.

What Compensation Can I Seek After a Truck Accident?

When you are injured in a truck accident, you may be able to seek damages for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, injury to property, and future medical bills if the injuries have serious implications. Punitive damages might also be enacted for extreme negligence. It’s important to consult with a lawyer who knows what it takes to obtain all compensation available for your specific injuries and damages.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?

A: Liability in truck accidents may extend beyond the truck driver to include the trucking business, cargo loaders, vehicle manufacturers, and maintenance suppliers. Truck maintenance logs, driver hours, and accident scene data are frequently reviewed to determine liability. An attorney can undertake a thorough investigation to determine all parties accountable for your injury.

Contact a North Carolina Truck Accident Lawyer

A truck crash can be devastating, with catastrophic injuries and costs to the victim. You can count on Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, for your every recovery and legal need. Under our knowledgeable counsel, we fight for you to receive compensation for your damages, medical bills, and injuries. Contact us now for a consultation, and let our lawyers be your team when you rebuild and heal from your truck wreck. We are proud to serve the residents of Burke County, Catawba County, Caldwell County, and the surrounding areas.