• If there are injuries, call 911.
• Remain calm at the scene until emergency personnel arrives.
• If there are no injuries, contact the police department so they can create an accident report. Accident reports are useful for your insurance company and you should cooperate with the officer to the best of your ability.
• Prior to the arrival of the police officer, ask for the other driver’s contact and insurance information.
• Check to see if there are any witnesses and if so, ask for contact information to contact them later if necessary.
• Take pictures of the incident.
• See a doctor promptly to get any injuries checked, even if you feel fine after a truck accident. You want to make sure there are no injuries lurking beneath the surface.

In many cases, the insurance company will offer a settlement right away. There are reasons you should not accept the first settlement offer that is made:

• In most instances, the amount is grossly inadequate to cover all current and potential future expenses.
• You may not know the full extent of your injuries, and you may require more money to pay for additional treatments.
• Insurance companies can neglect to mention that you have a right to ask for more money and to hire an attorney. 
• It is most often in the insurance company's best interest to wrap everything up as soon as possible.
• Hiring an attorney following a truck accident can be in your best interest. An attorney can thoroughly investigate the crash to determine the ultimate cause. You may be able to ask for more money or even sue the trucking company to recover damages.

Yes, you can sue the shipping company. There is a legal doctrine known as respondeat superior, which states that the employer is ultimately responsible for the actions of employees while they are on the clock. However, some trucking companies try to get out of this by employing independent contractors rather than employees.

There may still be circumstances where the company holds greater liability. For example, an investigation may reveal that the company failed to maintain the vehicle properly. As a result of the company’s negligence, the truck ran out of control and caused a collision.

Additionally, an investigation can reveal that the company knowingly hired someone with a history of drunk driving who never should have received the job in the first place.

You need to hire an attorney immediately after the accident. Your lawyer will have the experience to think of actions that you won’t consider after being in a traumatic situation, such as:

• Communicating with the trucking company and insurance agency to ensure you do not make any errors in speaking with them directly.
• Obtaining service records and driving records from the trucking company since many companies do not keep these records longer than six months.
• Having legal representation can assure that the trucking company has to retain those records for longer, which may show a driver was fatigued at the time of the crash.

Ultimately, an attorney can help you get the most out of your claim. You may require long-term care going forward, and those who are responsible for your injuries should pay. With an attorney in your corner, you have peace of mind that someone has your best interest at heart.

• Two Year Statute of limitations in the state of Alabama on personal injury lawsuits. You must file a lawsuit against the trucking company within two years of the crash date.
• Resolving a lawsuit after filing can sometimes take another one to two years. However, each case is different, and the length of your trial will vary depending on a litany of factors.

Yes, many truckers drive from one state to the next to deliver goods. As a result, the company may not be based where you live. 

Fortunately, attorneys have the means to track down companies, no matter where they are based, and bring them to court. Leave the hard work to your legal team so that you can rest easy.

No. Throughout the investigation process, you may be contacted by the trucking company or its insurance agency. Their ultimate goal is to get you to settle as soon as possible. They may also try to get you to reveal information that can work against you.

In the event one of these companies contacts you, you should direct them to your attorney’s office. Your lawyer will handle all future communications. 

Values of claims can vary significantly based on the circumstances surrounding the collision and the nature of your injuries. Your attorneys will consider the following factors in determining the value of your claim:

• Medical bills
• Damages to your vehicle
• Cost of any future medical care
• Lost income 
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of normal life
• Scarring

Each case is different, but personal injury claims values can exceed $1,000,000.

Preventive action is essential when it comes to being prepared for truck accidents. Your vehicle should have full coverage insurance to include the following:

• Liability
• Property damage
• Medical payments
• Uninsured motorist coverage

Having full coverage may increase your monthly expense, but when you need to file an insurance claim, you will be thankful for the type coverage that will take care of a wide possibility of claims.