Large trucks usually make up a small percentage of the total number of vehicles on a road at any given time, however, accidents that involve trucks cause twice as many damages as regular-sized cars. According to the studies conducted at Louisiana State University in 2019, there were 108 fatal truck crashes and 2,700 injuries. The recorded fatality represented 15% of all fatal traffic accidents in the state. 

Depending on the severity of the injury, the medical bills for the treatment of ruck accident injuries may be very high. However, the injuries that are sustained from truck accidents are often severe, e.g. brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and paralysis, therefore, medical bills are often high. 

If you’re a victim of a truck accident in Lafayette Louisiana, there are several parties, such as the truck driver, trucking company, truck manufacturers, cargo and loading company e.t.c, who may be liable for your injuries and other damages such as missed wages. It is the job of Lafayette truck accident attorneys to gather evidence from the crash to determine the liable party. 

That said, there are some important steps to take after a truck accident in Lafayette, Louisiana. They include:

Calling 911

The first thing to do after a truck accident and any other automobile accident, if you’re able to, is to notify the right authorities. The police must make a report of the accident, and this involves interviewing the people who were involved in the accident and others who witnessed it. Furthermore, contained in the police report is the party they believe to be at fault for the accident. This will prove helpful when it is time for you to prove negligence and seek compensation for your troubles. 

Gather Evidence of Your Own

If your phone is intact and you’re well enough to move around after the accident, you should take pictures of the scene, the vehicles involved, and your visible injuries. The picture will have a timestamp, therefore, they will serve you well as evidence of damages sustained during negotiations. 

In addition, you can also try to obtain the contact information of the people who saw the accident happen. Should you need to call upon witnesses in the future, it’ll be easier for you to reach them. 

Seek Medical Treatment for Your Injuries

Your health comes first, therefore, you have to get your injuries treated as quickly as possible. Truck accident injuries are often severe, so, the earlier you see a doctor, the greater your chances of recovery. 

Also, just because you can’t observe any visible injuries doesn’t mean you don’t have to see a doctor. You should still make the trip to the hospital because the damage may be internal. Furthermore, your hospital records detailing the extent of your injuries, the treatment, and the bills will serve as evidence when you file an injury claim. 

Hire a Truck Accident Attorney

Although it is easier to get compensation after a truck accident than regular car crashes, you’ll still need the services of a competent attorney to interview witnesses (if need be), and negotiate an appropriate compensation fee for you. Furthermore, you may be unfit to move around, therefore, your attorney will serve as your representative in every meeting. Hiring a lawyer that you trust can also help you recover from your injuries faster because you will not have to worry about the case. 

In conclusion, it is important to note that the statute of limitation for filing an injury claim in Louisiana is one year only.