What Should You Do After Getting in a Truck Accident?

Truck accidents are commonly caused by driver negligence. When you get caught in an accident involving a bus, semi-truck, or any other commercial truck, the next steps and decisions you take are vital. Often, you will have to simultaneously attend to your injuries while seeking legal counsel to get the just assistance and compensation that you are due.

Aside from bringing yourself back to good health, you should also work to obtain justice and get the maximum settlement from the truck and insurance company. To do that, you need to employ a focused and strong strategy with the help of an established injury lawyer. Part of this strategy is taking these steps after getting in a truck accident:

Do Not Leave the Crash Site

Leaving the accident scene may constitute a hit and run. If you are the victim in an accident, there is no reason for you to immediately leave the crash site. You should wait for the arrival of the medical rescue team and authorities.

If really needed and you can still do it, you may move the car aside to ensure your safety and that of your passengers. However, it will be best not to move the vehicle. This allows for the preservation of evidence, giving authorities an unaltered look at what may have caused the crash and how much damage the accident has caused.

Dial 911 ASAP

Truck accidents, particularly those involving huge vehicles, often result in severe injury. In more unfortunate cases, there may be fatalities as well. If you can, dial 911 to report the accident and seek emergency services. Often, both medical and police teams will be dispatched to the crash site at the same time. The police will be able to gather eyewitness accounts that will help in the investigation.

Check Your Passengers and Other Vehicles

After giving attention to your own injuries and needs and you are able to move or get out of the car, check your passengers to see if they sustained injuries. Furthermore, accidents involving large vehicles may also involve other vehicles and properties. If possible, check passengers of other vehicles that may have been affected by the crash. Watch out for pedestrians who may need medical assistance as well.

Take Photos, Videos, and Audio Recordings

If your body and mind permit it, take photos and videos of the crash scene immediately while waiting for authorities and investigators to arrive. This is best done while the vehicles are still in their original positions right after the crash.

Capture photos of your vehicle as well as other vehicles that may have been involved in the accident. You should also take photos of the truck and its position. A long shot that shows the position of the vehicles must be taken as well. It’s also advisable to take photos of the landmarks and intersections, as well as other details such as skid marks that will help strengthen your case for a claim.

It will also help to record your thoughts and everything else that will happen after the accident. You can use your phone’s camera to capture a video with audio. This way, you can describe what happened as you observe the scene and state what you remember before and after the crash. This recording will help keep a fresh, real-time account of the accident, since details may be forgotten over time.

Share Information With Other Parties Involved

It’s also important that you exchange necessary contact information with others involved in the accident, including other drivers, pedestrians, and property owners. You may need to get in touch with them as the investigation of your case proceeds.
Make sure you get the following information:

● Name
● Contact numbers
● Driver’s license number
● Vehicle license plate number
● Insurance provider
● Insurance policy number

Do Not Instantly Give a Statement

As the old adage goes, anything you say can be used against you. So, even if you feel you may also have a responsibility, don’t make any statements right after the accident, especially not in the presence of a lawyer. After all, you might still be shaken up by what just happened, and you may not be in the right state of mind to answer questions and make a statement.

Consult a Trusted Truck Accident Attorney

If you want to get the compensation you deserve to cover the liabilities and damages incurred to you by the truck accident, you need experience and expertise on your side. Going against commercial truck companies and their insurance providers can be taxing and draining for individuals. It’s vital that you work with a lawyer that has successfully protected the rights of parties involved in truck accidents.

All Injuries Law Firm can provide you with reliable legal assistance. Contact us today and let us help you recover from that damaging truck accident.