After a Commercial Vehicle or Truck Collision in New Mexico
When you’re involved in a commercial vehicle accident in Hobbs, New Mexico, what you do afterward is vitally important. Often, the steps you take after a commercial vehicle or truck collision in New Mexico will largely determine the outcome of your case. Knowing everything you need to do and how to properly do it is vital to winning compensation.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial vehicle or truck accident, you should speak with a New Mexico truck injury lawyer about what to do. New Mexico attorney James Shaw has spent nearly three decades fighting for victims of trucking accidents to make sure they get justice after an injustice was done to them.
What To Do Following a Commercial Vehicle AccidentAfter an accident, you want to take care of your health and maximize your potential for compensation. Below are the steps you should take after a commercial vehicle accident:
1. Get to safetyAfter a trucking accident, your safety is the number one priority. Most likely, your cars could be in harm’s way. If you’re able, it’s important to move your vehicles to the shoulder or off the main road to avoid putting yourself in danger.
2. Call the policeWhen you get into an accident, you are required by law in most instances to contact the police and remain at the scene of the accident. When the cops arrive, they will create an accident report that will document important information about the crash such as vehicle descriptions, license plate numbers, witness contact information, a crash diagram, their assessment of who’s responsible, and other relevant details.
The police report will be one of several key pieces of evidence your truck accident lawyer in Hobbs will use to build your case.
3. Seek medical attentionWhether you’re seriously injured or feel totally fine, it’s essential that you pay a visit to the doctor or hospital as soon as possible. A professional medical evaluation will diagnose any injuries you’ve suffered and get you on the right track for optimal recovery.
Your doctor’s visit will be documented in your medical record, which will be useful for winning damages for your injuries. Be sure to be seen by a doctor sooner than later—if you wait too long, the negligent party may argue that your injuries weren’t actually caused by the trucking accident. To learn more, talk to a lawyer.
4. Document evidenceIn addition to the police report and medical record, you’ll need other evidence. At the scene of the accident, try to take pictures of the damage to vehicles, any skid marks in the road, the area the wreck took place in, and anything else you think may be relevant. If there are witnesses, be sure to get their contact information. Also, write down your own account of the accident that you can share with your attorney later.
5. Valuate your property damageInsurers will send someone to inspect the damage done to your vehicle and give you a damage valuation. If you are unhappy with their valuation, you should get independent quotes from trusted body shops in your area.
6. Don’t settleSometimes, it may seem like less of a hassle to take the insurance check and be done with the accident. However, insurance agencies are profit-driven, so their job is to settle with you for less than you deserve.
Many people do not get the damages they’re rightfully owed because they don’t know what their case is actually worth. To get what you should, consult a New Mexico truck injury lawyer.
How to Get The Justice You DeserveCommercial vehicle accidents can cause serious damage to your vehicle, your body, and your life. To get justice, you need an experienced truck accident lawyer in Hobbs to fight for you. New Mexico attorney James Shaw knows what it takes to make trucking companies pay for the damage they’ve done. Call today to schedule your free case evaluation at 1-800-555-0101.