Steps to Take After a Truck Accident

By Ed Rebenack, Esq.

What to Do Following an Accident With a Large Truck

According to research by the Institute for Safer Trucking, accidents involving large commercial trucks are up substantially over the last decade not only in New Jersey but throughout the United States. Such an accident can be traumatic, and in the immediate aftermath, you may be focused more on your stress and emotions than anything else. Nevertheless, trucking accident lawyers warn that these moments are often crucial for evidence collection and can play a significant role down the line in how your rights are protected and how you are compensated.

Call 911

The very first thing you should do following an accident with a large truck is call 911 so that the police and other first responders can be on the scene as soon as possible. Never assume that someone else has called them even if you see other people around and on their phones. The 911 operator may advise you on how to proceed and may want to remain on the line with you. Follow whatever advice the operator gives you. Be mindful that beyond calling 911 the recommendations provided here are not steps to be performed in a strict order but rather as it makes sense to do so based on the circumstances.

Seek Medical Attention

Paramedics should arrive shortly after you have called 911. Even if you feel fine, allow them to perform a medical evaluation. Be aware that you can be seriously injured following an accident and not realize it because of adrenaline and other factors. Follow the advice of your paramedics. If they recommend that you go with them to the hospital for a comprehensive evaluation by a doctor, do so.

The evidence can wait. Your health is more important, and the medical care that you receive now can have a significant impact on your life in the months and years ahead. If you do not go to the hospital, it’s crucial that you schedule a checkup with your personal doctor as soon as it is practical to do so.

Exchange Information

You may be asked to exchange information with other drivers, passengers, pedestrians and anyone else involved. You should do that or even initiate the exchange if not asked. The information that you should ask for and be willing to provide includes:

• Full name
• Home address
• Phone numbers
• Email address
• Insurance company and policy number
• Driver’s license number
• Contact information for employer if applicable

Use your phone to take pictures of the other drivers’ licenses and insurance cards if you can.

Identify Witnesses

Witnesses include anyone who observed the accident but was not involved in it directly. This can include other motorists and their passengers, bystanders, pedestrians, and cyclists. Avoid assuming that the police will identify all of the witnesses available. While it is the police’s responsibility to take statements, you are within your rights to collect contact information even if it is just a first name and an email address. Most people will be happy to provide such details, and it could prove to be a big help later on.

Document the Evidence

If the scene of the accident is safe enough to allow it, trucking accident lawyers recommend that you collect as much evidence as possible. Even if you are unsure, collect it now. It can be discarded later. Use your smartphone to collect pictures of everything, including your vehicle, the truck, and all other vehicles and people involved. Take pictures of license plates. You should also take notes about road conditions, weather conditions, and anything else that comes to mind. You can’t have too much of this information later on when your memory of the event will not be as clear.

Be Careful What You Say

Be cordial. If the police have questions, answer them accurately but as concisely as possible. If other involved parties have questions, approach them in the same manner. Do not admit fault even if you believe it to be the case because you may not be responsible, and anything that you say toward that effect could substantially limit your ability to collect damages later on.

Avoid Social Media

Avoid posting on social media, including Facebook and Twitter. If you want to provide family and friends updates, do that through other means. Everything you write online provides a permanent and traceable record, and you may inadvertently write something that an insurance company or lawyer can use against you.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Once you have returned home and everything is settled for the moment, contact your auto insurance company. Even if you know that you are not at fault at all, you should contact them to let them know that you have been involved in an accident and to provide them with the basic details. You do not, at this moment, have to give them extensive details or move ahead with appraisals. In fact, it is better you wait to do that until you have secured your legal representation.

Consider Contacting a Trucking Accident Lawyer

At this point, it may be a good idea to discuss the accident with an attorney in your area who specializes in personal injury cases involving large commercial trucks. Provide the lawyer with as much information as possible during your consultation, and let that person provide you a professional recommendation based on their knowledge and experience.

Trust in the Lawyer You Choose

What happens next depends on your specific situation. Some cases are rather straightforward and could be finalized in one to three months. Other cases are much more complex and may take many months or even years. Trust in the advice your lawyer gives you, and patiently adhere to the timeline that they have outlined.

Deciding Whether to Settle a Claim or File a Lawsuit

Most personal injury cases involving large trucks are settled and never require a lawsuit. In the end, the decision is yours, and your lawyer can only provide a recommendation based on their knowledge and experience. They may ask you to see certain doctors who have extensive experience with the type of injuries that you have suffered. If the doctor has seen a number of patients who have been in motor vehicle accidents, they might be able to make a diagnosis that another doctor could miss. If your lawyer recommends it, then it likely is the best course of action.

Local Representation in New Jersey

Commercial truckers are vital to the American way of life, and the vast majority of them are skilled, experienced professionals who do everything possible to protect themselves and other drivers. That said, mistakes and even negligence do happen, and if you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with a large truck, you may need to deal with insurance companies or even go to court to be compensated. RAM Law has handled many personal injury cases involving large trucks, and we will welcome the opportunity to speak with you about your case. We have offices in New Brunswick and Somerville, and if you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our truck accident lawyers, you can call us at (732) 394-1549 or contact us online.