Truck accidents often lead to severe consequences, including life-altering injuries and fatalities. To seek compensation for medical costs and other injury-related expenses, the injured person or their family needs to take immediate action after a collision involving a truck.
Time is of the essence. Get guidance on the first steps to take after a Memphis truck accident with the board-certified personal injury lawyers from the Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs. Working with a qualified semi-truck collision attorney, familiar with Memphis driving laws and regulations, helps you avoid missed deadlines and costly mistakes so you can get the money and justice that you deserve.
Step #1: Seek Medical Attention
The first step to take after a truck crash in Memphis is to report the accident—call 911 if there are injuries or, if it’s a non-emergency, contact the Memphis Police Department’s Traffic Bureau at 901-636-4679—and seek medical attention. Many people mistakenly believe that they must collect evidence immediately. While the evidence on the accident site is valuable, the person’s health is a priority.
Keep all medical records while receiving assistance. This includes doctors’ reports, prescriptions, referrals, and any other relevant documentation that can become major evidence in a personal injury case.
If injuries seem minor at first, medical evaluation is still necessary. Many issues may not manifest themselves immediately after a crash, especially after a collision involving a large vehicle like a truck. Meanwhile, failing to seek medical assistance can serve as the basis for claim denial.
Step #2: Hire a Local Personal Injury Attorney
One of the most important steps to take after a Memphis 18-wheeler collision is to hire a personal injury attorney. Once the person who sustained injuries is in a stable medical condition, find a qualified lawyer who has handled truck accident cases in Memphis before. A well-practiced attorney can:
- Collect key evidence such as traffic camera footage, truck driver logs, and black box data from the trucking company
- Assess the full extent of damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering
- Handle negotiations with insurance companies
- Represent the injured person in court if a settlement cannot be reached
Since trucking companies have strong legal teams protecting their interests, injured parties need an experienced lawyer to level the playing field. David and Elissa can start building a strong case from the start. The faster an attorney begins working with the injured person, the easier it is to achieve the desired results.
Step #3: Delegate All Conversations and Negotiations to Your Lawyer
After a semi-truck wreck in Memphis, insurance companies usually reach out to the injured person for a statement. While these people may seem helpful, their primary goal is to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether.
Injured people should refrain from admitting their fault and avoid signing any document. Insurance adjusters receive special training that allows them to find inconsistencies and reduce liability. All these interactions should be handled by an attorney.
Overall, close collaboration with the personal injury attorney is key to avoiding mistakes and claiming fair compensation.
Discuss the First Steps to Take After a Truck Accident with an Attorney in Memphis
When you know exactly which first steps to take after a Memphis truck accident, you have the best chance of obtaining compensation for your injuries. Since the expenses related to truck accident injuries are usually significant, it is necessary to do everything in your power to seek a fair payout.
The legal team from the Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs can help you navigate the truck accident case and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us for a free consultation today.
