At the scene of a Columbus truck accident, you should contact the authorities and ensure you receive the medical care you need. If possible, move yourself and your vehicle to a safer location. Additionally, you should exchange information with the other involved parties and preserve crash evidence if you are physically able.
Taking these steps can protect your rights should you decide to pursue compensation for your damages from the responsible party. Read on to learn more about what you should do after a truck accident in Ohio and how a Columbus personal injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation from those at fault.
Get Emergency Medical Care for Your Truck Accident Injuries
If you need emergency medical care, call 911 so an operator can dispatch an ambulance and emergency service technicians to the scene of your crash. These responders can stabilize your injuries until you arrive at the hospital for extensive medical care.
If you do not need to leave the scene for emergency medical care, you should still see a doctor as soon as possible after your truck accident. A doctor can diagnose and begin treating any injuries you may have. Furthermore, seeking treatment creates a record of your injuries that can serve as evidence if you pursue a truck accident case.
Without a medical record, a plaintiff may be able to argue that your injuries came from some other source. Getting medical treatment also helps you understand the scope of your injuries and their potential economic impact. You need this information so you can pursue adequate compensation for your medical bills and other injury-related losses.
Call Police to the Truck Accident Scene Immediately
Even if you are not requesting an ambulance, call the police to the scene to document the details of the collision. Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10 § 5502.11 makes a crash report mandatory when injuries, fatalities, or property damages over $1,000 occur.
If a negligent truck driver or another liable party caused your collision, an official crash report may become important evidence in your case. A personal injury lawyer with our firm can use this and other information to establish financial responsibility for your truck accident.
Exchange Information with Others Involved in the Truck Accident
Ohio Revised Code Section 4549.02 legally requires all Ohio drivers to stop at the scene of an accident and provide law enforcement officers and others involved in the collision with:
- The vehicle operator’s name and address
- The vehicle owner’s name and address (if different from the operator’s)
- The vehicle’s license plate number
- Proof of insurance
You should also note the year, make, and model of the truck and any other involved vehicles. Collecting and exchanging this information not only follows the law but also ensures you can identify the at-fault driver and their insurance company if you decide to file a personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit.
Take Pictures at the Truck Accident Scene if Possible
Another thing you should do at the scene of a truck accident is to take photos of your injuries and damage to the vehicles. Like your crash report, pictures can help tell the story of the accident and can be evidence in your case.
If your injuries prevent you from taking pictures, ask a friend, family member, or bystander to take pictures for you. In addition to pictures, try to obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident.
If you cannot collect this information at the scene of your truck accident, a lawyer with our firm will work to gather evidence for you at a later date. We can obtain police reports, identify and locate eyewitnesses, visit the crash site to take photos and collect physical data, and work with accident reconstruction specialists and other experts.
We Will Be
There To Help
You All The Way
Recoverable Damages in a Truck Accident Case
If a negligent driver, trucking company, or another party caused your crash, you may be able to collect compensation for your injury-related financial expenses and losses.
Depending on the details of your case, recoverable damages may include:
- Current and future medical costs
- Injury-related lost income
- Property damages
- Pain and suffering
- Physical disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Compensation for the wrongful death of a loved one
You do not have to decide at the scene of a truck accident whether to take legal action. However, Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10 generally limits your window to file an injury lawsuit to two years, though exceptions exist. We can tell you more and help you get started right away.
Call The Fitch Law Firm LLC Today
Suppose you or someone you love suffered injuries in a truck accident caused by someone else’s negligence. In that case, The Fitch Law Firm LLC may be able to help you file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. We can also handle all communications, deadlines, and paperwork in your case when we represent you.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation on your case with a member of our team. We take many cases on a contingency-fee-basis with no upfront payments required. In this arrangement, you pay no attorney fees until and unless we recover compensation via a settlement offer or court award.