Truck accidents usually result in serious or catastrophic injuries. Often, a person involved in a collision with a truck driver is not in the physical or mental state to do anything at the scene of the accident other than receive medical help. However, if you are lucky enough to walk away from a truck accident without any major injuries, there are some important steps to take at the scene to ensure you have all the materials you need during the claims process. 

If you or someone you know has been injured in a truck accident, secure a skilled truck accident lawyer. Here is some important information on critical steps to take when injured in a California truck accident. 

Call 911

Immediately after an accident, call 911 for help. If you are on a highway, a 911 dispatcher will likely be the first person you speak to. Try to give the dispatcher as much information as you can, including the highway exits close to you and how many people were involved in the accident. The dispatcher will then direct your call to local law enforcement agencies and emergency responders. Even if the accident seems minor, it is still important to contact law enforcement and get a police report with accurate records of the incident.

Seek Medical Attention 

In every accident, the people involved should always seek medical attention. Even if you do not have any obvious injuries, it is still crucial to get medical evaluations for yourself and your passengers, as many conditions or injuries have a delayed onset. The longer you wait to seek medical attention, the harder it will be to prove that any injuries you have were directly related to the accident. 

Collect and Document Evidence from the Scene

This applies to individuals who incurred less severe injuries or were completely uninjured. If you are able, collect as much evidence from the scene as possible. Doing this can make a huge difference when pursuing a claim. Documenting photos of the crash, collecting contact information from witnesses, and taking pictures of the weather or road conditions can ensure your insurance company has very little room to downplay your losses. Other documentation that is important to collect includes: 

• The name, address, phone number, and email address of everyone involved in the accident
• The insurance company and policy number of any individuals involved in the crash
• The truck’s license plate number and other identifying information 
• The name of the truck driver’s employer

Be Mindful of What You Say at the Scene

While emotions run high after an accident, it is best to keep your words to a minimum. Specifically, be sure to avoid admitting fault or liability for the accident. Even if you think you were at fault, keep this to yourself. Avoiding discussing the details of the crash will help ensure you are best protected during the insurance claim process. 

These tips do not imply you cannot speak at all at the scene. In fact, police officers will ask you for a statement of what happened. In your statement, be honest but avoid admitting to any fault in the accident. 

Contact the Truck Accident Attorneys at Younglove Law Group Today

In the aftermath of a truck accident, it is easy to feel overwhelmed with stress. While it is hard to navigate essential actions, doing so will ensure you get through the claims process. Securing a skilled truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after the crash is the best way to ensure you take critical steps for your protection. 

At Younglove Law Group, we are proud to offer quality legal representation to individuals who have suffered injuries from truck accidents in Newport Beach. Our firm focuses exclusively on personal injury cases and specializes in claims involving catastrophic and fatal injuries. Our attorneys take a client-focused approach to our cases, always ensuring our clients feel prioritized and heard. Call our top-rated car accident lawyers at (844) 810-1800 or fill out our online contact form for a free and confidential consultation. 

The Brain Injury Association of America reports that more than 2.5 million adults and children suffer from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year. TBIs are measured on a scale of severity, but in many cases, they can have lifelong impacts on a victim and their family. Sometimes, TBIs can require extended hospitalizations and long-term cognitive training—both of which can alter all aspects of a person’s life. 

If you have sustained a TBI from a car accident, work with a skilled car accident attorney in Newport Beach, California, to ensure your rights are protected, and you receive proper compensation for any losses you incurred as a result of your TBI. Here are some important things to know about how life can change after a traumatic brain injury. 

What Are the Effects of a TBI?

The effects of a TBI will depend on the severity of the injury. There are three kinds of traumatic brain injuries: closed, open, and acquired. The extent of physical and psychological effects a person may experience will also depend on the classification of their injury.  Depending on the type of TBI, people may deal with changes to their memory and cognitive functioning. Some of the effects associated with certain TBIs include: 

• Frontal lobe injuries, which may cause changes in mood and personality as well as affect a person’s ability to make decisions and use expressive language. 
• Parietal lobe injuries, which may affect a person’s perception. These injuries can also make it harder for people to find and name words.  
• Temporal lobe injuries, which can affect a person’s hearing and comprehension. Other potential effects include problems categorizing information, such as objects, and short-term memory problems. 
• Occipital lobe injuries, which can affect a person’s vision and depth perception. In some cases, they can also cause difficulty with reading, writing, and word recognition. 
• Injuries to the base of the skull, which can cause difficulties with balance, equilibrium, and coordination. 

Often, acute and long-term rehabilitation for a TBI involves speech, physical, and occupational therapy. Counselors and therapists should be part of the healing process as the permanent damage can be challenging and stressful to accept and manage. 

The Psychosocial Effects of a TBI

Most of the psychosocial effects of TBIs occur when the damage is located in the frontal, parietal, or temporal lobe. In these cases, victims can struggle with decision-making, attention, comprehension, impulsive behaviors, and communication skills. All of these things can affect a person’s ability to return to a normal life. Additionally, in many TBI cases, a person may never regain their pre-injury abilities, which can cause feelings of depression and isolation. 

These are all skills that most people take for granted in their day-to-day lives. But for individuals with a TBI, the damage to these fundamental skills can damage their personal relationships and ability to live a normal life. Ultimately, the psychosocial effects of a TBI can be as damaging to the individual as the physical effects. 

Contact the Car Accident Attorneys at Younglove Law Group Today

In the aftermath of a car accident, insurance companies often prey on unrepresented people by offering them cash to settle their claims. Almost always, their first offer is less than what the person deserves or would have received if they worked with a qualified attorney. TBIs can have a lasting effect on a person’s life. It’s essential for victims of car accidents who have sustained a TBI to secure expert legal counsel. 

At Younglove Law Group, we are proud to offer the very best legal representation to individuals who have suffered injuries from car accidents in California. Our firm focuses exclusively on personal injury cases and specializes in claims involving catastrophic and fatal injuries. Our attorneys take a client-focused approach to our cases, always ensuring our clients feel prioritized and heard. Call our top-rated car accident lawyers at (844) 810-1800 or fill out our online contact form for a free and confidential consultation. 

California roads are some of the most dangerous roads in the United States, as thousands of deaths and injuries occur on them each year. Hence, traffic accidents are a serious public safety concern here. There are countless causes of California car accidents, many of which are preventable—and almost all which stem from someone’s negligence. 

It can be hard to cope with an unexpected injury, let alone grasp the seriousness of your situation. You may feel shaken up, angry, stressed, and unsure of what to do next. Here is a 7-step guide with all the details you need to collect the right information and protect yourself after a car crash in California. 

Stay Present 

Never leave the scene of an accident prematurely. If you’re physically capable, call 911 as soon as possible. If you need immediate medical assistance, do your best to get to a safe space and wait for emergency medical personnel to show up. 

Fleeing the scene of an accident involving injury is illegal in California. This is known as a hit-and-run and carries harsh penalties, including fines up to $10,000 and up to one year in jail. Even if you are not at fault and uninjured, other parties involved in the accident may have suffered injuries. 

If the only destruction is property damage, you are still legally required to identify yourself to all parties. Not doing so could result in you being charged with a misdemeanor hit-and-run, which is subject to fines up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail. 

Seek Medical Care 

When you are in a car accident, the most apparent damage is the destruction your vehicle sustains. Often, people evaluate the severity of a crash by the extent of property damage rather than looking at the bigger picture. The reality is that car accidents also cause damage to your body that isn’t always immediately visible. The most common injuries car accident victims suffer include: 

• Whiplash 
• Concussions
• Lacerations, burns, and bruises
• Brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Internal trauma 
• Post-traumatic stress disorder 

Remember to always get a complete medical evaluation as soon as possible after you have been in a car accident, whether it is clear you have been injured or not. A doctor can assess the extent of your injuries and diagnose any latent injuries you may have sustained. This is critical to protecting your health, and better yet, a proper diagnosis can help document and strengthen your car accident injury claim. 

Exchange and Document Information with All Parties 

If you did not have to be transferred to the hospital and remained on scene, there are numerous steps you can take while waiting for police to conclude their reports. The single most important thing you can do is document all other parties’ contact information, such as their driver’s licenses, insurance cards, and vehicle registration numbers. Snap a photo or jot down the numbers, whichever is easier for you. The more information the better.

Keep in mind “all other parties” includes eyewitnesses and police officers too. Ask for the names and phone numbers of anyone who may have seen what happened, and record any responding officers’ names, badge numbers, and departments. Don’t forget to provide your contact information to everyone else as well. 

Collect Evidence and Record Your Version of Events 

Next on the list comes obtaining evidence and recording your version of events. This is one of the most overlooked yet essential steps after an accident. Of course, if you are not on scene anymore, you can’t do this. But if you are, don’t make the mistake of skipping this step. 

Pictures and videos play an integral role in any car accident case and are among the best ways for you, your lawyer, or your insurance adjuster to reconstruct the accident. It is recommended to take photos and record videos of the accident scene, your injuries, vehicle damage, and any other evidence that may be relevant to your case. Be sure to also note any cameras in the surrounding area that may have recorded the accident. Such footage will certainly be useful if liability is being disputed to set the record straight.

Once you have a thorough collection and can think clearly, it is vital you write down the specifics of your accident from your point of view. Visual and perceptual information that illustrates your memories disappears with time and post-accident shock makes that process even faster. If possible, mark down the time, date, and location of your accident. 

Lastly, evaluate the moments leading up to the crash by asking yourself questions such as: 

• How fast was the other driver going? 
• What color were the traffic lights? 
• What direction was each vehicle going? 

Assessing the events could help with diagnosing your injuries and proving fault. 

Remain Calm and Collected 

The most challenging part of an accident is what comes afterward. As you can see by the length and detail of this guide, it is not easy. But the important thing is to ensure that you and anyone else in your vehicle are safe. Remaining calm and collected under such circumstances seems impossible, but if you just take a second to collect your thoughts, you have a much better chance at processing the situation clearly. 

You may be tempted to immediately get out of your car to talk to others or make a million phone calls. You may even feel so frustrated that you start crying or yelling. It can’t be emphasized enough how imperative it is to give yourself time. When your emotions are high, you are more likely to make a costly mistake. No matter what happens, keep your thoughts to yourself, do not apologize, refrain from blaming others, and follow each of the steps outlined here. 

File a Traffic Accident Report with California DMV

Under California law, you have a responsibility to complete a traffic accident form (SR-1) with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within ten days of a car accident if there was death, injuries, or property damage of $1,000 or more. You will need your driver’s license, license plate number, insurance information, and the other party’s vehicle and insurance information to complete the form. 

You can file the SR-1 accident report online or print it out and bring it to the DMV. Choose whichever method you prefer, but do not delay. Failure to report can result in the suspension of your driver’s license for up to one year. 

Contact Your Insurance Company 

Most of the time, accident victims put off contacting their insurance company because they do not want their policy rates to rise. The good news is if you are not legally liable for the crash, California is one of two states that have banned auto insurers from increasing your rates. 

Regardless, it is wise to look over your policy. Most insurers require drivers to inform them of an accident immediately. Waiting to call your insurance company could result in the automatic dismissal of your claim and bar you from seeking monetary damages under your policy. 

You should understand, however, that when you are speaking to your own insurer, or any other insurance company for that matter, to never admit fault. You have rights you can exercise—namely, the right to a qualified attorney and the right to remain silent. Furthermore, there are two things you can be sure of: 

1) Anything you say in communications with insurance companies can be used against you, and 2) Your claim will either be denied, or you will be offered a low-ball settlement right off the bat.  

Unfortunately, the majority of the time, an insurance company’s first settlement offer is far lower than what you deserve. Regardless of the grim truth, many victims still struggle to accept that insurance companies are not their friends. Do not let insurance companies minimize your losses, and do not risk saying something that could jeopardize you getting the settlement you deserve. Instead, consult an experienced car accident lawyer in California for protection and guidance. 

Call Our California Car Accident Lawyers for Help 

At Younglove Law Group, we know we can’t change the past, but we can certainly help make a better future. If you have been in a car accident, our Newport Beach car accident lawyers will provide you with timely and effective legal services. We see to it that our clients are compensated for all their losses, including medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more. 

The attorneys at Younglove Law Group are legal allies who get the results you need. We help car accident victims piece their lives back together and protect their futures after suffering injuries due to another driver’s careless actions in California. Learn more about your rights and potential case in a confidential consultation by calling (844) 810-1800 or by submitting an online contact form today.