What To Do After Equipment Accident in Arkansas
If you work in a profession with dangerous equipment and heavy machinery, you already know the risk you face every day. Yet, when you are injured on the job using that same equipment, what can you do to protect your future? Where can you turn?
Fortunately, Arkansas law allows injured workers to seek legal recovery in many ways. You could be entitled to worker’s compensation, or you might have a suit for negligence, depending on the circumstances. An experienced attorney at Rainwater, Holt & Sexton can help you through this difficult time. We can explore all legal options to help maximize your recovery.
Steps to Take After a Heavy Equipment Accident in Arkansas
While we can handle the legal aspects of your case, there are steps you can take to help improve your chances of obtaining maximum compensation. If you’ve been injured in a heavy equipment accident in Arkansas, take the following steps.
Seek Medical Attention
Immediately after your accident, it is crucial to get medical attention. Even if you do not believe that you are injured, getting help is the first step towards building a case for workers’ compensation or injury claim. A doctor will evaluate your injuries and examine you. Their evaluation and diagnosis will help your attorney make your case.
Safely Disable the Heavy Equipment
As you get medical help, ask a coworker to safely disable the equipment so that someone else doesn’t suffer an injury. This equipment will also be an important part of your case and is considered evidence. They should approach the equipment cautiously in case it is defective. If the equipment is not safe or is not on stable ground, have your coworkers focus on removing everyone from the accident scene.
Report Your Accident
It is important to report your accident immediately to your supervisors. They will need to file an incident report and document your accident carefully. This is critical to filing a workers’ compensation claim. If you do not report your accident, the insurance companies will claim that you suffered your injury elsewhere.
Take Photos
If you are able, take photos of the accident scene and the equipment. These pictures can help establish a defect or capture the seriousness of the accident. If you are unable to take photos because of an injury, ask a coworker to document the accident scene as best, they can. Have them take pictures from multiple angles and include any critical details that might help us paint a clear picture of the accident. These pictures will help us build a case for you and show insurance companies the true extent of the accident and the injuries you suffered.
Speak to Witnesses
After you have received medical attention, speak to any witnesses and obtain their stories. Have them write down statements if they can, so they don’t forget important details. It is equally important for you to write down the details as you remember them.
Do NOT Speak to the At-Fault Party’s Insurance Company
The insurance company has one goal in mind — to pay you as little as possible. As such, they will want to talk to you and obtain a “recorded statement.” Adjusters are skilled interviewers, and they know how to ask questions that they can use to reduce your claim. Do not speak to them at this time until you have spoken with a knowledgable equipment accident lawyer. It is important to focus on your recovery and your case. Let them know that you will need to talk to your attorney before answering any of their questions.
Hire an attorney
Once you’ve taken the necessary steps to seek medical attention, report your injury, and ensure documentation of the injury and location, you should discuss your accident with a personal injury lawyer at Rainwater, Holt & Sexton. We can help you avoid any traps or pitfalls and protect your rights to compensation every step of the way.
The Hazards of Heavy Machinery
Heavy equipment is necessary to complete many jobs, including construction and farming jobs. Yet, this equipment is dangerous, and when accidents occur, it can cause serious and fatal injuries.
Some of the types of heavy equipment used on job sites include:
- Forklifts
- Loaders
- Cranes
- Mixers
- Logging equipment
- Cherry pickers
- Compactors
- Warehouse machinery
- Backhoes
- Graders
This machinery can cause serious accidents in many ways. Perhaps your employer failed to service or maintain the equipment safely. Maybe another coworker was negligent while operating this equipment. In some cases, the heavy equipment may have been manufactured incorrectly, leading to a serious defect.
Contact Our Arkansas Heavy Equipment Accident Attorney
If you were injured in a heavy equipment accident anywhere in Arkansas, get in touch with a Little Rock equipment accident lawyer to determine what legal options are available to you.
With eight offices in Arkansas - Little Rock, Little Rock-Corporate Hill, Springdale, Conway, Hot Springs, Bryant, Jacksonville, and Jonesboro—our heavy equipment accident lawyers are here to help you through whatever comes your way.
Fill out a free contact request form, which only takes a minute, or simply dial (800) 767-4815 and tell us your story.
