Legal•Info

What Should You Do If You Are Involved In A Truck Accident

Call (888) 471-3714 to speak with a car accident attorney.

If you have been involved in any kind of an auto accident, namely one involving a large truck, you know all about the shock and fright involved. No matter how hard it is for you to think clearly following an auto accident, there are a few key things you must do.

1.Never run away from a truck accident site. If someone has been injured in the accident, and you do not stop, you may face criminal and civil proceedings in a hit-and-run truck accident.
2.Report the accident. Call 911 and notify the police of the truck accident, giving the necessary details. It's important to call the police, even if the other person involved in the accident says that they can help and take care of the accident and can fix your car. This way you can have official documentation of the incident.
3.If anyone has been seriously hurt, call an ambulance to help them. Do not move the injured person on your own.
4.Do not move your damaged vehicle. If there is any doubt about why the truck accident was caused, experts can reconstruct the accident scene by taking into account the position of the damaged vehicles, skid marks, tire tracks, etc.
5.Once the police arrive, co-operate fully with them, but do not divulge any unnecessary details. Try not to make comments such as, I did not see the other car, or I was not speeding a lot, or anything else that may indicate that you are to blame for the truck accident.
6.If any insurance adjusters are at the scene, other than your those from your own insurance company, do not say anything to them. Never give any statement in writing or sign anything without first retaining the services of an attorney. Notify your insurance carrier about the truck accident and take down the details of the other party's insurance company and their name and address. It's also important to have your own insurance information on hand and to know what your policy is, so you know how you are protected.
7.Note the license plate numbers of all the vehicles involved in the truck accident and also take down their vehicle identification numbers. If there are any witnesses to the truck accident, take down their personal details as well.
8.If a camera is available, try and take pictures of the damaged vehicles and the accident site. A useful tip is to always leave a camera disposables are cheap and effective in the glove compartment or some other safe place in your car, so just in case an accident does occur, you can have it easily on hand. A cell phone with a camera accessory can also work.
9.See a doctor for any injuries that you may have sustained. Even if there are no apparent injuries, it is best to get a medical examination done after a truck accident, in order to rule out any internal injuries or other problems which may not be immediately apparent.
10.Once you have completed the immediate requirements after the truck accident, you need to consult with an experienced truck accident and personal injury lawyer. U.S. law protects people who have been injured in any kind of truck accident, or if you have lost someone to a truck accident.

Only a qualified and competent attorney will be able to advise you of all your legal options and direct you towards the best course of action to take. There are many parties involved in a truck accident, and it can become quite complex to determine who the responsible parties are for the truck accident. In such a situation, an attorney will be able to help you figure out who can be sued in order to receive compensation for damages.