If you drive on the highway in states such as Mississippi, Louisiana, Colorado, Alabama or Tennessee, then you are used to sharing the road with 18-wheelers and log trucks. And if you are like me, every time I am near one, I hold my breath a bit — and for good reason.
18-wheelers cannot respond to traffic as easily nor stop as fast as regular vehicles. If there are poor weather conditions or the 18-wheelers are improperly maintained, disaster can occur. Also, some drivers can be overworked, untrained, sleepy, inattentive, intoxicated, and the list goes on.
There are about 500,000 18-wheeler accidents nationwide every year. So, what should you do if you are in that unlucky number of people injured by an 18-wheeler in Mississippi, or even in Louisiana, Colorado, Alabama or Tennessee?
- Call 911 -After you have made sure that you and the people in your vehicle are safe, call 911, request an ambulance, and get evaluated to make sure you do not have any injuries.
- Take pictures and/or video – if you are able to safely, get footage of the damage to your vehicle, damage to the 18-wheeler, the scene of the accident (only if it’s safe!), the name of the employer or logos on the truck, (anything that can be used to identify the owner of the truck), and pictures of your injuries.
- Talk with witnesses- get their name and contact number. Ask for their permission to video or record their account of what they saw.
- Call a Mississippi, Louisiana, Colorado, Alabama or Tennessee licensed 18-wheeler accident attorney as soon as you can – insurance companies often call their lawyers and investigators immediately and have them come to the scene of the accident. The longer you wait to talk with an attorney the more evidence disappears, sometimes forever. Insurance companies are in the business of making money, not giving it away. Talk with an attorney BEFORE talking with the insurance company. You can damage the value of your case just in the initial conversation with an insurance adjuster.
Discussing your case with our Personal Injury team is free – There are no strings attached. Having an experienced Personal Injury Attorney is essential for getting you the compensation you deserve. If you have been injured in an 18-wheeler accident in Mississippi, Louisiana, Colorado, Alabama or Tennessee, the experienced attorneys at Chhabra & Gibbs are here to help. We believe in doing everything in our power to deliver you the results you deserve and will be by your side every step of the way when dealing with the insurance company. Contact our team today by calling 601-948-8005 or by using our live chat on our website.
