Travel ranks highly on the list of adventurous hobbies. It is a welcome escape from the humdrum routine hassle of daily life. Travelling expands the horizons of your perspectives through interactions with several cultures and people. When you get on a flight or bus to visit another city or country, all that is in mind is the new experiences and memories you will add to your portfolio. Unfortunately, an inattentive driver can quickly change the trajectory of your trip. A truck accident is enough to ruin a potentially exhilarating trip. And the worst thing is that you may be confused about what to do to protect your rights and health. And that is because you are within the boundaries of a new country or state. Well, you do not have to. Here are the steps to take when hit by a truck as a tourist walking:
Keep calm
A cocktail of emotions usually accompanies any accident- with anger, worry and frustration at the centre stage. However, the wisest thing to do would be to suppress the urge to curse, shout or lash out at the driver. That only makes the situation tenser and worse. In the heat of the moment, you risk saying something that could implicate you. Keep your cool and focus on moving to a safer spot. You could try deep breathing exercises to calm you down so that you can analyse the situation with a sober mind.
Get the driver’s info
Ensure that the truck driver does not leave the location before the police arrive. At the very least, ensure to gather crucial details about the driver. Collect their insurance information, name, address and the truck licence plate number. That should cover you if the truck driver decides to run away. Never make the grave mistake of releasing the truck driver, even if you think the accident is nothing.
Call the cops
Once you move to a safer location, the next course of action should be calling the police. You need to get the police involved even if you think your injuries are negligible. The police will evaluate the accident scene, collect an official statement and talk to the witnesses. They could also help dispatch medical help if your injuries are serious.
Give the police a detailed statement
When the police get to the accident scene, ensure that you give them a detailed account of events and your side of the story. Do not leave out any details you assume are unnecessary. Include information about where you were when the truck driver hit you.
Talk to a lawyer
Laws vary in different countries and states. You may not be conversant with the rules and rights since you are not in the comfort of your native land. Also, being a tourist exposes you to manipulation by a rogue truck driver trying to get away with their blunders. Work with a team of truck accident lawyers who have your best interest in mind to fight for your rights. The attorneys will help find out who was at fault and work to protect your best interests. Also, top attorneys with adequate knowledge of the local laws will ensure that you get the most appropriate compensation for any injuries you sustain from the accident. They will help you handle the insurance companies that may try to use unethical means to get out of paying compensation. They will also notify you of the dos and don’ts of your situation as you build your case. A skilled attorney with a proven track record will make a world of difference in your case.
Documents and take lots of photos
A photo is worth a thousand words. It may be worth more when you need solid evidence to corroborate your account of events. Photographs come in handy when the case goes to court. They help the jury make more informed decisions if you decide to sue the truck driver after the accident. Take pictures of the street name, truck position and any injuries. If you are too shaken by the incident, request a bystander or witness to help you. Videos also come in handy in bolstering your evidence.
Seek medical attention
It is good practice to seek medical attention even if the injuries do not seem severe. The adrenaline pump in your body after the accident may make you unaware of your injuries at the time of the accident. A healthcare practitioner will help assess if there are any sustained injuries you may not have known existed. Furthermore, medical records come in handy as part of the evidence to reinforce your claims if you decide to sue the driver.
Conclusion
Any accident is devastating. Even more so if it is happening in foreign quarters. You get a much needed upper hand with the knowledge of the correct steps to follow,
Leave a Reply