The average weight of a large, fully loaded semi-truck is roughly 80,000 pounds. Even an unloaded truck can exceed the weight of a traditional car by roughly 30,000 pounds. When you see those numbers and consider the sheer size and weight of these vehicles, it is no surprise that victims are extremely likely to suffer catastrophic truck accident injuries—ranging from severe whiplash and lacerations to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and even amputations.
That said, properly documenting these injuries is crucial if you and your family intend to take legal action and seek the compensation you deserve. Even if you feel okay after the crash, some injuries may not show symptoms at first, making early documentation all the more important. But what does that documentation look like, exactly? Let’s discuss this in today’s blog post.
7 Steps To Properly Document Truck Accident Injuries
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Seek immediate medical attention
Your health and safety are the priority immediately after a trucking accident. Even if you are not in pain or feel as though your injuries are minor, it is better to relax and allow medical personnel and law enforcement to be the judge of that. Injuries such as whiplash or internal trauma may not be evident at first and could cause additional complications if left untreated. Plus, a medical evaluation creates a medical record linking your injuries to the accident.
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Document all medical records
To go a step further, you or a loved one should request copies of these records from every doctor, hospital, or clinic you visit. Furthermore, do not deviate from whatever treatment programs and medications you are given. Keep track of follow-up appointments, medications, and all therapy sessions, including dates, times, and locations.
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Maintain a journal
If possible, keep a detailed but private journal of everything that happens next with your recovery to prove pain and suffering accurately. This can include rating your daily or weekly pain levels on a scale of one to 10, any physical limitations (trouble walking or standing up, sleep issues, etc.), forced time off from work, and any depression or PTSD you might be facing.
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Take plenty of photos
If you or a loved one is physically able, you or they should gather as much photo and video evidence as possible. This can include cell phone photos and videos of cuts, burns, broken bones, bandages, visible signs of pain or mobility, etc. Do not stop at day-of evidence. Continue taking photos to document your recovery from start to finish. Doing so shows how your injuries progress over time and if any new symptoms or pain develop during recovery.
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Save all bills and receipts
Throughout your recovery, you will undoubtedly be overwhelmed by a lengthy list of hospital, therapy, pharmacy, and clinic bills. These and many other out-of-pocket expenses can add up quickly and should be documented.
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Gather witness statements
Have your friends and family document anything they notice. This can be valuable information added to document truck accident injuries, as they may be able to spot changes in your health or mobility that you didn’t notice or cannot verbalize on your own. Not to mention, their observations can add additional credibility to your claim.
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Call a truck accident attorney
Unlike traditional car accidents, large truck accidents can involve legal and regulatory issues, multiple liable parties beyond the truck driver, and aggressive insurance companies looking to protect their best interests. Navigating this requires more than general knowledge and should not be performed by someone who is nursing injuries. You deserve specialized legal expertise to determine how this happened, who is responsible, and what should happen next. Your attorney can also help you organize and present your medical evidence in the most efficient and effective ways possible.
At Keys Law, we will work tirelessly to investigate your case, identify all responsible parties, and hold them accountable for your injuries and losses. We will also work with accident reconstruction specialists and other experts to build a strong case that supports your compensation claim. The bottom line is that you deserve compassionate and knowledgeable legal advice, and we are here to help.
Call Keys Law Offices Today!!
Large truck accidents can occur for various reasons, including fatigue, distracted driving, speeding, inadequate training, and drug and alcohol use. Sometimes, the truck company can be liable for the accident if it fails to maintain or inspect the truck properly or violates federal or state regulations. At Keys Law Offices, we are dedicated to representing victims of truck accidents and their families, including those involving semi-trucks.
We understand the complex legal and regulatory issues involved in truck accident cases, and we know how to investigate and litigate these cases to ensure that our clients get the compensation they deserve. Please do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation.
Our staff is always available. Call us today!