semi truck accident

What To Do After a Collision With a Semi-Truck

When involved in a trucking accident, it’s crucial that you don’t leave right after the crash. It’s important to stay at the scene until the police have arrived and authorize you to leave. This is especially important in cases where a person has been injured or killed, leaving the scene without reporting the incident constitutes a criminal offense.

If you have sustained injuries, wait for the emergency team to arrive. If you try to move too much, you could further the injuries. Unless the situation demands immediate moving, it’s best to wait for first responders to arrive.

If there are zero injuries, try moving to a safe location nearby. See if anyone has been hurt. Call 911 immediately and ask for medical assistance. 

What Information Should You Exchange?

Do not reveal any details about the insurance policy; especially the limit amount. After that, it’s best to write down the following information:

  • Address, phone number, name, and email addresses of occupants, witnesses, and drivers. Particularly in case of a collision with a commercial or industrial vehicle such as a sem-trick or a large truck, it’s imperative that you get the details of the truck driver and trucking company since most of the time, there are several parties involved.
  • Note the exact location where the collision took place.
  • Take photos of all the vehicles and the accident scene.
  • Policy number, phone number, and company name of all insurance companies involved that could cover for the drivers involved in the collision.
  • When the emergency services arrive, note down the phone number of the officers including their names and badge numbers. Also, not down the police report number. 

All of this information will help your semi truck accident lawsuit attorney to obtain documentation and necessary evidence about the collision.

Take Pictures

If you have a cell phone, take immediate photographs of all the vehicles involved. Capture any damage to the vehicle as quickly as possible.

Photos are incredibly helpful in determining the compensation amount the victim should be awarded.

Interview Witnesses

Talk to anyone who witnessed the crash. Try to get their contact number, names, email address, mailing address, and other possible contact details.

Maintain Medical Records

Note down the details of any and all medications and treatments that you receive. Maintain a comprehensive record. Get copies of bills and medical reports as this later helps to determine the medical expenses.

Get a Property Damage Valuation

You can expect a representative from your insurance company to inspect the vehicle for damage to come up with a valuation. If you’re dissatisfied with the evaluation, you can always contact repair shops to get independent estimates and/or quotes for vehicle replacement. 

Do Not Discuss the Incident

Other than the police and your attorney, avoid discussing any details of the collision with anyone as it may compromise the case for you.

Talk to a Reputed Truck Accident Attorney

It’s in your best interest to contact an experienced truck accident attorney. Anyone with a good history of successfully handling major truck accidents. Here at Burnes Libman, we carry 30 years of experience in dealing with truck collisions and accidents. 

We will take care of all the details of the case and come up with legal paperwork so you can focus on recovery.

Common Injuries Sustained from Truck Accidents

Accidents involving trucks are some of the most catastrophic ones that result in major damage to life and property. Even if the person survives, it often leaves him/her injured for years and even decades.

Here are the most common injuries that victims sustain:

  • Neck and back injuries. This can be anything from minor pain to more serious ones like spinal injuries.
  • Head injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Lacerations
  • Loss of limbs
  • Internal injuries
  • Torso and rib injuries
  • Paralysis
  • Wrongful death

Can I Sue for Being Hit By a Semi-Truck?

Can you sue a trucking company? Many people have this question when they’ve been in an accident with a semi-truck. The answer is – it depends on the circumstance. You can always go for civil litigation if you think that the accident was a result of the driver’s negligence. To receive the compensation you can go with a personal injury lawsuit. 

A semi-truck accident can have a forceful impact during a collision. The results are catastrophic and the injuries sustained often last a lifetime. The medical costs are never-ending which get worse due to continued care required.

There’s no reason why the victim should pay for medical care. To know more about pursuing civil lawsuits, talk to a good law firm today.

Contacting a Truck Accident Attorney, such as Burnes Libman

Putting together a case, gathering evidence, filing paperwork, and negotiating a fair settlement amount can take a long time. That’s why your number one priority should be to contact the best trucking law firm such as Burnes Libman. 

Avoid talking to your insurance representative. You may be attracted to the first settlement offer. But, in most cases, it’s not enough to cover lasting medical care.

Always seek professional advice if you’ve lost a loved one or sustained serious injuries in a semi-truck collision. The compensation could eliminate the financial distress even if it can’t undo the emotional and physical pain.

By Anurag Rathod

Anurag Rathod is an Editor of Appclonescript.com, who is passionate for app-based startup solutions and on-demand business ideas. He believes in spreading tech trends. He is an avid reader and loves thinking out of the box to promote new technologies.