Trucking accidents on South Carolina roads often happen at high speeds and result in catastrophic personal injuries or death. Tractor-trailer companies are well-versed at handling accidents because they know there are millions of dollars on the line. Their truck drivers are trained explicitly on exact procedures to follow in the aftermath of any collision. Most likely, the truck driver will contact their dispatcher before they even get out of the vehicle and have contact with other parties. If the truck is disabled, they will send a tow truck to move it from the scene as quickly as possible.
If you are a victim, getting law enforcement to the scene as soon as possible is essential. Call 911 and tell the dispatcher where you are, and that you’ve been involved in a collision involving a tractor-trailer. Police or highway patrol will investigate the cause of the crash, record the road and weather conditions, preserve evidence, and witness contact information. They can also dispatch ambulance and emergency medical personnel to transport you to a local emergency room or trauma center. If it is safe to do so, take photos of the damage before vehicles are moved. If you experience any injuries, get medical care immediately. Documenting all injuries is vital for obvious medical benefits and establishing a record of your injuries and the treatment you received.
As part of the terms of your insurance agreement, you will need to report the accident to your insurance company. If you provided your insurance information to the trucking company, they may contact you to ask questions and obtain a recorded statement. It is generally not advisable to give any information, as the insurance company will use the information provided to attempt to establish you were not severely injured.
Insurance companies and their investigators will scour your social media accounts for any evidence that you were not seriously injured. For example, if you attend a baseball game two weeks following your accident and post a photo, they may attempt to use this as justification that you can function just fine. Insurance companies have even gone so far as to create fake profiles to send friend requests to injured individuals in an attempt to gain access to private data. It is advisable, and if you are in a personal injury claim, you should post nothing on social media until your claim is resolved.
An experienced and knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help you following a serious trucking accident in South Carolina. At The Law Offices of Steven M Krause PA, we handle all cases on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no fees unless we recover money for you. Contact our South Carolina personal injury law firm today at (864) 932-3001 for a free consultation of your potential case.
Steven Krause is a personal injury, auto accident, and workers’ compensation lawyer who practices in Anderson, SC. He graduated form the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law and has been practicing law for 40 years now. Steven Krause believes in fighting for the injured. Learn more about his experience here.