Car accidents are always frightening and stressful experiences. But when passenger cars collide with commercial trucks, the wreck is often traumatic for all involved. If you’ve been involved in a local commercial vehicle accident, you may be wondering, “What should be my next steps after an 18 wheeler accident in Artesia, New Mexico?” or “How do I find the right lawyer serving Artesia, New Mexico?” Fortunately, our Artesia 18 wheeler accident lawyers at Carabin Shaw are here to tell you what you need to do in the aftermath of a big rig accident, and provide suggestions on choosing the best attorney. Read on to learn more.
What to Do Following an 18 Wheeler Accident 1. Call the Authorities.Before doing anything else, you should call the police so that an accident report may be filed. Before the police arrive and if it is safe to do so, take photos of the damaged vehicles before they are moved from the roadway. This evidence will be extremely helpful to your attorney later.
2. Try to Remain Calm, and Don’t Apologize.After any wreck, it can be hard not to panic. But try your best to remain calm. Even if you believe that the wreck was your fault, do not apologize to the other driver, and do not say that you are “fine.” Sadly, both of these things can be used against you in court, because they can be taken as evidence of fault, or used to argue that your injuries are not severe.
2. Seek Medical Attention ASAP.Following your wreck, it is crucial to see a doctor as soon as possible—even if you don’t think your injuries are serious. If you are being urged at the scene to go to the hospital, it’s best to do so. Neglecting to go to the emergency room or to seek medical attention can backfire; if you develop pain symptoms later, insurance companies may claim that your injuries are not severe, since you waited to seek help.
3. Consult With an Artesia 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer BEFORE Accepting a Settlement.In many accident cases, the insurance company’s initial offer will be too low. This means there’s a very good chance you are entitled to more compensation than what the insurance company will initially offer you. Consequently, it’s crucial to speak with an Artesia semi truck accident attorney before accepting a settlement. Only a qualified lawyer with knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the accident can tell you the true value of your accident claim, and it’s important to remember that insurers will try to pay you as little as possible.
4. Follow Your Doctor’s Orders.After you’ve seen a doctor, it’s crucial that you follow his or her orders as closely as possible. Attend all follow-up visits, take medication as prescribed, and don’t skip physical therapy sessions. Failure to do so can jeopardize your legal claim, because the at-fault driver’s lawyer may try to argue that your injuries were caused or worsened by your own negligence when you did not listen to your doctor.
5. Hire a Qualified Lawyer.Commercial truck drivers are governed by both state and federal regulations, and trucking accident claims require attorneys who specialize in these types of wrecks. When choosing an attorney, it’s crucial to hire someone with extensive experience handling big rig wrecks, someone with trial experience, and someone who has a stellar professional reputation. You will also want to choose a lawyer with the resources to take on a trucking company; a firm with only one or two lawyers will simply not be able to effectively litigate one of these complex and expensive cases.
Here at Carabin Shaw, we meet all the above criteria and more. And we also offer all new clients a no cost, no obligation consultation with an Artesia semi truck accident attorney—meaning you have nothing to lose by giving us a call today. To receive a free consultation with an experienced trucking accident lawyer in New Mexico, call our office serving Artesia, New Mexico at 915-779-2301. Let an Artesia 18 wheeler accident lawyer help you get the compensation you deserve after your accident.