Shock is one of the most common emotions that accident victims experience immediately after a truck accident. Fear, pain, frustration, and sometimes anger quickly follows. Regardless of the emotions, it is essential to try to remain calm so that you can remember the steps to take after a crash.

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Do I Need to Call 911 After a Truck Accident in Austin?

Calling 911 is typically the quickest and easiest way to request emergency assistance after an accident. Request emergency medical services (EMS) if anyone sustained injuries in the accident. Also, ask for a police officer to investigate the accident.

Texas traffic laws require that you report any accident involving injuries or results in damage of $1,000 or more. Because it is impossible to know for sure if you were injured until a doctor sees you, it is a good idea to report a truck accident immediately. Having an official report of the truck accident can help you when you are ready to seek compensation for your accident injuries.

If law enforcement officers do not respond to the accident, you can complete a Driver’s Crash Report, which is available online. As of September 1, 2017, the Texas Department of Transportation does not keep these reports. You need to keep the report for your records. If you are unsure what to do, you can contact the Austin Police Department for assistance.

How do I Obtain a Copy of my Truck Accident Report?

If the police investigate the crash, you can request a copy of the crash report from the Austin Police Department through the mail or in person. You may also purchase a crash report online.

The traffic accident report provides valuable information about the truck accident. The other driver’s identity, vehicle information, and insurance information are included in the crash report. Also, the report indicates whether the officer indicated that one or both drivers contributed to the cause of the truck accident.

Take the crash report to your initial consultation with a truck accident lawyer. You can review the report with the attorney to determine if the information is accurate. If there are errors or mistakes, your attorney can explain the steps to have the information corrected.

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Other Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in Austin

If there are no injuries and it is safe to move the vehicles, move your vehicle to the side of the road to clear the lanes of traffic. Wait for the police officers to arrive. Do not discuss the accident with the other driver.

Gather together your driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance for the police officer. If witnesses stopped to check on the accident victims, ask the witnesses for the names and contact information. Also, try to take photographs of the accident scene, if possible.

While waiting for the police, it is an excellent time to make notes about what you remember about the accident. It is easy to forget details about the accident in the days following the crash.

When the officer arrives, tell the officer what you remember without admitting fault. Never apologize or say you are sorry at an accident scene. Those statements could be considered an admission of fault, which could significantly lower the value of your accident claim or result in no compensation for your injuries.

Seek Medical Treatment as Soon as Possible

Do not state that you are not injured. If you do not want to go to the hospital by ambulance, state that you intend to see your personal physician. Saying that you are not injured could hurt an injury claim you may file later.

Many accident injuries do not present symptoms for days or weeks after the accident. Common injuries after a car accident like whiplash or back injuries may not manifest right away. Therefore, it is best to wait to see if you are injured. Do not wait too long to see a doctor because delays in medical care can also cause problems when you file an insurance claim.

Talk to a Truck Accident Attorney

Truck accident cases can be very complicated. You may be fighting a trucking company and a large insurance company. Both entities may have large teams of accident investigators and adjusters working to protect their best interests.

You need an experienced truck accident lawyer to investigate the accident. An attorney understands the steps to take to protect vital evidence, such as a truck’s black box. Evidence of fault is required before you can recover compensation for your injuries, losses, and damages.

If you are not sure what to do next, try talking to a truck accident lawyer. It does not cost you anything to obtain the advice you need to protect your rights. Get the legal help you need to fight for a fair settlement for your truck accident claim.

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