What to Do After a Truck Accident
Thousands of trucking industry-related accidents occur each year, resulting in serious effects ranging from inconvenient repair expenses to devastating personal injuries, property damage, and death.
Accidents can be distressing and overwhelming, particularly when large trucks are involved. Nevertheless, as soon as possible, you should try to collect relevant evidence that will be beneficial later in the process of filing a personal injury claim.
Following an accident, it’s also essential to call the proper authorities for professional assistance and for the sake of safety.
Take the following steps if you’ve been hurt or your property has been damaged in a truck accident.
1. Call 9-1-1.
The safety of all those involved is the primary concern in the case of an accident. If you or anybody else appears to be hurt, dial 9-1-1 for emergency medical assistance and to report the accident to the authorities.
Following a truck collision, medical documents and an official police report can be important evidence to support a personal injury or property damage claim.
Any person who appears to be injured should seek medical attention immediately. Even seemingly small injuries, such as a bump on the head, can lead to more serious complications if not treated promptly. Any injuries sustained in an accident should be evaluated by a medical professional.
2. Collect information
The next step is to start obtaining information from other drivers, passengers, and accident witnesses. Names, phone numbers, insurance information, and license plate numbers should all be written down. This information will come in handy when it comes to recouping accident-related losses.
3. Get photographic evidence
Having photographs of your injuries, the accident scene, and property damage can help you file a legal claim for accident-related damages.
4. Consult with a Truck Accident Lawyer
It’s vital that you feel confident in expressing your legal rights following an accident. However, you are unlikely to be in the right frame of mind to do this without help.
Contacting a truck accident attorney, who can protect your legal interests and advise you through the next stages, is the best course of action.
Frequent Causes of Truck Accidents
A range of circumstances, both within and outside your control as a driver, might impact truck accidents in the United States.
Drivers of large trucks are susceptible to many of the same challenges that other drivers experience, such as bad road conditions, distracted driving, and other common dangers. They may, however, experience challenges that are unique to their profession. One of these is fatigue. Professional drivers are frequently required to transport loads from one location to another over long stretches of time.
The following are some more factors and circumstances that can contribute to truck accidents:
- improperly loaded cargo
- poorly maintained vehicle
- brake problems
- equipment failure
- speeding
- alcohol use
- over-the-counter and prescription drug use
- traffic law violations
- level of driver training
Accidents involving large trucks are rarely caused by a single factor, according to crash experts.
Our attorneys at Cunnane Law have decades of experience in personal injury cases. In the aftermath of a truck accident, we can provide you or a loved one with a free case consultation to explore your legal options. Contact us today.
Note: This information was provided not for any specific claim and is written in broad and general terms and may not be the right path to follow for a particular claim or case. This information is not intended to create an attorney client relationship. It is always best to receive direct legal counsel for your legal issues. It is never too early to call the attorney, but it can be too late.