Anyone who drives Mississippi’s highways and highways knows that we have to share our roads with large vehicles—long haul trucks and buses. Often, these large vehicles are squeezing onto roads carved into valleys or hillsides a century ago, and as a result, large trucks and buses are often involved in severe accidents with automobiles. Because of the tremendous weight difference between these large vehicles and smaller cars, the automobile and its passengers are almost always the losers in a collision, sometimes catastrophically. I am an attorney who focuses on attaining the most compensation for individuals injured in this sort of accident and can assist you if you or a loved one was injured in a large truck or bus accident. People often ask me what they can do if they are injured in this type of crash, and I wrote the following blog post to provide a general overview.
If you or a loved one was injured or killed as a result of an accident, you will need to have experienced counsel help you attain your fair share of compensation for your injury and recovery. Barrett Law has the experience to help you—contact us now at (800) 707-9577.
Focus On Your Physical Health
If you are involved in a large truck or bus accident, attain medical attention immediately. This is true even if you believe that you are not injured. First, you are likely in shock and are in no condition to judge your physical health. Second, most soft tissue injuries such as whiplash take more than 24 hours to develop, so feeling alright at the crash site may not be a reliable indicator of your actual health. Third, many severe medical conditions such as neck and spine injuries take even longer to develop and you want a medical professional to provide an unbiased assessment of your physical health.
Even if you are not seriously injured after a crash with a large truck or bus, you should seek medical treatment so that you have a baseline record of your physical condition at the time of the incident. If you fail to attain immediate medical attention, the defendant will attribute any subsequent pain or injury to events unrelated to the accident. If successful, this argument will result in you not recovering any compensation for these injuries.
Call the Police
After an accident, law enforcement plays a critical role in providing an unbiased, third-party record of what transpired at the scene. They can document the scene and take pictures before any vehicle is moved or altered. This is critical because trucking and bus companies frequently dispatch crews to an accident scene immediately to move vehicles and remove incriminating evidence. The police report will provide a trustworthy document that can be relied on later in court.
Take Photographs
If possible, take as many photographs as you can immediately after the accident. Luckily, with the advent of smartphones, we all have cameras with us everywhere we go. Take as many pictures as possible, as they will serve as critical evidence later.
Do Not Admit Fault
While you were involved in an accident, you are not an omniscient being with the power to observe what happened from a neutral viewpoint. Furthermore, you are in shock and are in no position to be making legal admissions. Taking all of that together, never admit any fault after an accident. You have no duty to disclose anything at any time. Let the attorneys and courts determine fault once they have all relevant evidence available.
What Should You Do If You or a Loved One Has Been Injured in a Bus or Large Truck Accident?
If you or a loved one was injured in a large truck or bus accident, you should seek medical attention immediately and contact an experienced personal injury attorney. Inexperienced counsel may lead you down a dead end where you receive no compensation. Instead, let experienced counsel take care of preserving medical records, attaining expert opinions, reviewing evidence, and dealing with the defendant’s attorneys. These are essential tasks that only a personal injury attorney can handle for you.
Call Barrett Law now, an experienced Mississippi personal injury law firm, to represent you if you have suffered large bus or large truck injury. Contact us now at (800) 707-9577.
