Being a construction worker can be challenging and risky job. Even if you’re cautious, it’s likely that you’ll experience an accident on the site. This is especially true if there are many trucks moving around the site to haul construction materials from one place to another.
Fortunately, being prepared and knowing what to do when a truck accident happens can make a big difference. If you’re involved in a truck accident on your project site, here’s what you need to do:
- Call Emergency Services
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident on a construction site, it’s best to call 911 to seek for emergency medical attention immediately. While getting into any type of accident can be terrifying, being in one that involves a commercial truck may come with serious injuries—that’s one of the reasons why safety tips are in place to avoid accidents when using a construction vehicle. If an unexpected accident has occurred on-site and it causes you injuries then you should get yourself treated right away to avoid further complications.
- Report the Accident to Proper Authorities
If the truck accident occurs on a construction site, you need to report what happened to proper authorities. For instance, you should notify the construction manager and other supervisors about the accident as they know what steps to take in handling this situation. They’ll be the one to coordinate with the investigators and instruct you on what your next actions should be after the accident.
- Consult a Lawyer
If you’ve been seriously injured in a truck accident, it’s best to call an experienced lawyer so you’ll know the legal options available to you. As mentioned, being involved in a truck accident can be more complicated than any other type of crash. For example, while most commercial trucks carry liability coverage which is enough to cover most reasonable situations, it also means that the insurance company will employ aggressive legal teams to safeguard their financial interests.
Thus, when this happens, you should work with the best legal professional you can afford to help you navigate the situation effectively. Luckily, most truck accident lawyers have the experience and skills that can help you handle the legal aspect of your accident and. This can mean negotiating with the insurance company or filing a personal injury lawsuit claim in court to receive the right amount of settlement or compensation.
- Document the Accident
To increase your chances of getting the right amount of compensation, it’s important that you gather essential pieces of evidence by documenting the accident. For instance, you should take pictures of the accident with your mobile device. These photos can be used as evidence to establish the fault of other parties involved and know the extent of your injuries. Besides, presenting photographic evidence can help determine exactly how the accident happened.
If you have been injured, be sure to take photos of your injuries. You can also ask for a copy of your medical report to show how serious your injuries were and how long it may take to physically recover from them. This type of evidence can help you calculate the amount of compensation you’ll obtain.
The Takeaway
Again, working in the construction industry comes with a lot of risks, including potentially truck accidents. Thus, if you get yourself injured in a truck accident on your project site, follow the tips mentioned above and you’ll be on the right path. By doing this, you can safeguard yourself and your rights, and get your life back after recovering from what happened.