Truck accidents can be some of the most devastating vehicle accidents. Due to their shape and size, trucks may have more blind spots, and if they do not see the other vehicle, they may fail to take steps to avoid the accident or mitigate the damages. Plus, since trucks are larger and heavier, they may collide with objects or other vehicles with more momentum, leading to more serious crashes and a likelihood of worse injuries.
If you were involved in a truck accident, insurance may not be enough to cover all of your damages. Filing a personal injury lawsuit may be necessary to help you recover medical bills, lost wages, and costs related to future care. To get the most helpful advice, talk to an experienced Scottsdale truck accident lawyer who can help you develop the most effective strategy.
Seeking Medical Attention After a Truck Accident
When accidents happen, it can be hard to remember all the things that you should do in the heat of the moment. However, these steps are very important to protect your health and any evidence you might need if you decide to file a lawsuit in the future.
The first and most important thing to do is to seek appropriate medical attention, including calling 911 if necessary. Accident victims don’t always notice their injuries right away, and something that seemed minor at first could turn out to be something major later. Truck accidents may cause serious injuries including:
- Broken bones and lacerations
- Concussion and traumatic brain injury
- Whiplash
- Soft tissues injuries like bruises and sprains
- Spinal cord, neck, and back injury
- Paralysis
- Blood loss
In addition to making sure victims get the medical care they need, this also creates medical records that can help establish that the accident caused the injuries in question. Otherwise, defense attorneys or insurance companies may claim that the injuries victims suffer are due to preexisting conditions or other causes to avoid liability.
Preserving Evidence After a Scottsdale Truck Accident
After they are checked out medically, truck accident victims should preserve as much evidence from the scene of the accident as they can. Photos and videos of the accident and of the scene, eyewitness statements and contact information, official law enforcement reports, and forensic evidence including things like skid marks, broken glass, traffic hazards, and more, are all critical for demonstrating fault and establishing liability.
Working with an attorney even at this stage can be helpful, and can take some of the stress off the accident victim, who may be homebound or hospitalized. A Scottsdale truck accident lawyer will also make note of the date of the accident to help ensure that the victim’s lawsuit is filed before the statute of limitations expires.
The statute of limitations creates a legal time period during which claims may be brought. If a victim files their lawsuit after the time period expires, then their claims will be barred, regardless of how valid their claim may be otherwise. In Arizona, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date the injury occurred. However, there may be exceptions which affect this time period, making it important to check with an attorney.
Contact Our Attorneys in Scottsdale For Help After a Truck Accident
After being in an accident, life may feel upside down. You may be struggling with healing from your injuries, missing work, and worried about bills. Bringing a lawsuit may feel like more than you can handle.
If you are facing a legal situation like this and you need guidance, our team at Valiente Mott Injury Attorneys can help. Our attorneys offer thoughtful, professional advice to Scottsdale truck accident victims and others who have suffered injuries. Contact us today to set up an appointment.
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