By Juan Lucia
An accident involving a commercial truck can be frightening and confusing. Actions taken by victims after an accident can affect the claim and the amount of compensation that the injured people receive.
Below is a list of recommended steps a person injured in such a case should take.
Call 911
The first step that every victim should take after an accident caused by a large truck is to dial 911. Once the police arrive at the scene, they are debriefed on the moments that led to the collision. Ensure a copy of the police report is secured as it contains crucial information used during a collision investigation. A police report includes the following important information.
- Witness statements
- Sketch of the accident scene
- Statements from involved parties
- Contact information for involved drivers
- Police officer’s opinion of the at-fault driver
The report is scrutinized by a seasoned commercial truck accident lawyer with the help of investigators and experts to determine liability. An experienced attorney starts building the case by checking the police report and building evidence that shows the liability of the driver and the trucking company to secure fair compensation for the victim.
Document The Accident Scene
Many commercial drivers work for large corporations that have more money and resources. Commercial carriers hire a team of investigators who report to the scene as soon as possible to take possession of the company’s property and collect evidence. It leaves minimal time for victims to document the accident themselves.
While at the accident scene, it is essential to do the following.
- Take photographs of the vehicles involved, license plates, and logos
- Take note of the location of the accident using highway mile markers, street names, and nearby landmarks for reference
- Establish critical features around the accident scene, such as stop signs and traffic lights, and note their position relative to the crash
- Photograph the victim’s injuries and other vehicle occupants
Exchange Information With The Commercial Driver
Exchanging information after a truck accident is essential. Keep the following in mind when recording the information.
- Note down the driver’s name, contact information, and insurance information.
- Obtain the name and contact information of the employer of the truck driver
- Ask commercial drivers for their personal liability insurance and employer insurance information.
It is crucial to have accurate records regarding the at-fault driver. The information provided enables the attorney to pursue actions on behalf of the victims against all the at-fault parties.
Get Medical Care As Soon As Possible
Victims of a trucking accident are advised to seek medical care even if they do not feel injured. Such accidents may cause severe injuries due to extreme forces of the massive vehicle after impacting the car. Some accident injuries may have delayed symptoms, making victims think they have walked away from the scene injury-free. Many injuries may fail to be detected immediately as the adrenaline masks initial symptoms. Some victims suffer severe injuries and fail to recognize them until the following day. Victims are advised to seek medical attention immediately to complete physical and financial recovery. Medical records show when the injuries occurred and the causes. Medical records obtained directly after the accident help support the legal claim in court proceedings.
Talk To Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers
Truck drivers have to report the collision to the employer to prevent the revoking of their license. Once this is done, the trucking company’s insurance will send investigators immediately to the accident scene to build a defense case. The insurance company is likely to contact the representative to obtain a statement from the driver. Seek help from a Kuzyk Law attorney to get help when dealing with insurance companies. The attorney handles communications with insurance companies to prevent clients from making critical errors that may harm the case. The attorney follows up with the insurer to enable victims to receive a reasonable settlement.
Consider hiring a lawyer who works on a contingency fee basis, which means that payments are made only when there is recovery from compensation claims. A truck accident attorney helps clients in various ways to cover all the medical treatment bills and lost wages.
