Traveling on Virginia highways can make you feel like your life is at risk, and it may very well be. It’s not uncommon to share the road with numerous big rig trucks, which can be highly dangerous, especially if the operator is dealing with distractions, fatigued or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Additional issues increase the risk of collision, such as hauling too heavy of a load, exceeding posted speed limits or failing to adjust speed for inclement weather. If you’re hit by a truck, you’ll need immediate support.
Sadly, many truck accidents are fatal. If you survive a truck hitting you, you might have severe, even life-threatening injuries. When attached to a fully loaded trailer, a big rig can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. The impact of a truck, especially while traveling at highway speeds, often results in brain trauma, spinal cord damage and other catastrophic injuries.
Never decline medical attention if a truck hits you
Obtaining emergency medical care is always a top priority in the immediate aftermath of a truck accident. If you’re unconscious, rescuers will automatically transport you to the nearest hospital or trauma unit. You might be awake and even coherent after sustaining the blunt force impact of a truck accident. If so, it is always best to request medical attention at a hospital.
Emergency medical care provides triage services, meaning assessment of your condition to determine the urgency of your condition. It also documents the collision, which becomes evidence that you can use if you later pursue a legal claim.
Building a strong support network during recovery
Following a truck accident, you’ll want to contact your insurance agency, as well as get the truck driver’s relevant information. If a truck hits you, it is not only the operator who may be liable for your injuries. In certain situations, truck owners, manufacturers or trucking and loading companies may be culpable for damages, as well.
In addition to your medical team, trusted friends and family members, your employer (if applicable) and perhaps a licensed counselor, you’ll also want to have an experienced legal team in your support network.
Virginia law allows you to seek justice if a truck hits you. To do so, you must file a personal injury claim in civil court. You may also do this if you lost a loved one due to a truck driver’s negligence. If you’re an immediate family member, you can file a wrongful death claim because your loved one would have been eligible to file an injury claim if he or she had survived. A legal advocate can also help you investigate, gather evidence and negotiate a settlement with the appropriate insurance agency.