What to Do After Getting in a Truck Accident in Houston

Being involved in an 18-wheeler collision can certainly be a frightening and hectic experience, especially if you have no clue how to react to the situation in the heat of the moment. With Houston having a particularly high rate of truck accidents per capita, the aftermath of a collision on the highway can easily have you in a frantic state as you struggle to recuperate and level your thoughts if you are without a Truck accident lawyer in Houston. Whether you’re a trucker driver who recently got into an accident, a manager of a truck fleet, or just a cautious driver who wants to be prepared for any future incidents, here are a few tips you can use to respond optimally after a truck accident in Houston:

1. Contact a Truck Accident Attorney after the Initial Emergency Response

Obviously, the first thing you’re going to do after any accident is dial emergency services (911). When the police arrive, they should be able to steer most of the process from there, but there are still some steps you’ll need to take yourself. The first thing you should do when you get home is contact a truck accident lawyer in Houston – that is, one that specializes in taking cases related to accidents that happened within the city’s limits or the surrounding county. Dealing with an attorney who has extensive experience in this region will maximize your chances of gaining optimal compensation for your claim. 

2. Collect Insurance Information from Other Involved Motorists

Before you leave the scene of the accident, make sure you collect the contact and insurance information for any involved motorists, especially those who might have been at fault in the collision. If you’re involved in a pile-up or multi-car collision, you may need to request the assistance of the first responding officers to gather up everyone’s insurance info. 

3. Cooperate with the Authorities and Do NOT Leave the Scene

The police report can play a major role in any court case or insurance claim review that follows, so you want to be on the good side of the authorities throughout the process. Even if you know you were at fault, it’s imperative that you stick around and face the music in a responsible manner. Refusing to cooperate, lying, or leaving the scene of the accidentwill only hurt your chances of obtaining due compensation. 

4. Take Note of Important Accident Details

Once you’ve calmed down a bit and your thoughts are no longer racing, try to jot down a complete recollection of the events that occurred before, during, and leading up to the accident. It’s best to do this on the same day as the accident, as that’s usually when your memory will be the clearest, as it just happened minutes or hours earlier. However, if you’re badly injured and are unable to stress yourself with remembering that moment, it may be best to give yourself a few days of rest before you revisit the event inyour mind.