Truck accident is generally the worst type of traffic accidents. Given that these are enormous vehicles, any crash with another car can have deadly consequences. We also need to mention the spillage of liquids, waste of resources, and other items the truck was transporting.
Due to the sheer magnitude of an accident, it’s sometimes hard to establish guilt. Unfortunately, you must provide evidence of what has transpired to protect your legal rights. By following the step-by-step process disclosed in this article, you can get total compensation from the insurance company while avoiding any penalties.
1. Contact the Police
While the laws slightly differ from state to state, you can never go wrong by contacting the police. Calling the authorities is vital in case of injury or death, as well as in case of significant property damage. Given the price of the cargo and the truck, this practically means you’ll have to call the police in almost every situation.
After contacting the dispatcher, you need to explain what has happened. Authorities record these calls, so be careful what you’re saying. Information provided during the call can also help you if you forget some of the details later on. Once the police come around, they’ll make a report, the first legal record of the crash.
2. Get Medical Assistance
The next logical step is getting medical assistance for yourself and others injured in the crash. Tell the dispatcher if any of the participants incurred injuries and how severe they were.
Even if you don’t receive assistance while at the scene, make sure to ask for help soon afterward. In many cases, a person doesn’t know the extent of their injuries as they’re full of adrenalin. Only when you cool off and the body starts aching, will you realize there’s something amiss.
Seeing a doctor right away creates medical documentation you can use in a court of law. This report is vital when dealing with insurance agencies as they might deny you your rights. In some cases, they might even claim that the injury occurred after you’ve had the accident.
3. Taking Photos
Photos and videos are additional proof that you can use in your favor. It’s vital that you make a document right after the mishap, as this information might be vital to establish what transpired.
Among other things, you should take a photo and video of the entire scene. Place special attention to the vehicle and their positions. Take photos of injuries, whether they’re yours or other participants. You might also consider filming witnesses if you have to call upon them later on.
4. Contact Your Lawyer
Most people are unaware of the legal procedures after truck accidents. Still, you’re probably aware things can get quite messy in these situations, especially if you’re the one responsible for the crash.
To stay on the safe side, we suggest you contact a trucking accident lawyer immediately after taking the photos and contacting the police. These experts can take a look at the details and suggest how you should behave in the following hours and days.
5. Exchange Information
Even if you had a minor crash, you should always exchange info with other participants. As there’s always a chance that the other person will flee the scene (even after you face them), it’s best to get their information so you can use it with insurance companies and police.
You’ll have to get your physical address, phone, email, and full name. Getting a driver’s license is even better as it would help the police track the culprit. Writing down the license plates also helps if the person lied to you regarding other personal data.
6. Talk to Witnesses
Similar to taking photos, you need to talk to witnesses and take their statements. When it comes to accidents, especially minor ones, people tend to disperse soon afterward. In fact, most witnesses don’t even realize they could be potentially relevant to the case.
As with taking photos and other evidence, we suggest you make a video interviewing the person. Take their names and personal information so the police and insurance agencies can track them down. In most cases, just making a video will likely be sufficient, as authorities can use facial recognition to find the person.
7. Mind Your Comments
Soon after a crash, especially a big one, people tend to be out of sorts. They might ramble about the accidents, trying to justify themselves by inadvertently providing information against their case. A completely normal behavior is to apologize to another person, even if you didn’t do anything wrong.
While all of this might seem humane at first, it will get you in trouble later on. Specifically, the police might ask you why you would apologize if you did nothing wrong, pinning the blame on you. Because of that, it’s critical that you only talk about these things with your legal representative.
We also recommend that you don’t post anything online. In this day and age, people have a problem of oversharing, which can come back to bite them in these situations.
Conclusion
If you have a truck accident, try to remain levelheaded. Remember this article and go down the list point by point. Only by doing so will you cover all the angles and protect your rights.
