A collision involving a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, dump truck, bus, or other commercial vehicle can be frightening and overwhelming.
Because of the size and weight of commercial vehicles, truck accidents often result in serious injuries and extensive property damage. In the moments following a crash, it is completely normal to feel shaken, disoriented, or confused.
Even so, the steps you take immediately after a truck accident can have a significant impact on your health and on any future insurance or legal claims.
Call 911 and Assess Injuries
Your first priority should always be safety.
Call 911 as soon as possible and assess your own injuries as well as the condition of any passengers in your vehicle.
Even if injuries seem minor at first, make sure emergency responders and law enforcement know about any pain, discomfort, dizziness, numbness, or other symptoms you may be experiencing.
Many injuries associated with truck accidents do not fully develop until hours or even days after the collision.
Gather As Much Information As Possible
If you are physically able to do so, begin gathering information while still at the scene.
Truck accident investigations often involve much more evidence than ordinary car wrecks, and preserving that information early can be extremely important.
Photographs and videos should include:
The more information you preserve at the scene, the better.
Obtain Driver and Insurance Information
If possible, obtain photographs of:
Commercial trucking cases often involve multiple companies, including trucking companies, vehicle owners, brokers, and contractors.
Speak With Witnesses
Independent witnesses can be incredibly important in truck accident cases.
If anyone stopped to help or observed the collision, try to obtain names and contact information before they leave the scene.
Witnesses can become difficult to locate once the investigation begins days or weeks later.
Report Injuries to Law Enforcement
Even if you do not require ambulance transportation, make sure responding officers know if you were injured.
Many people decline treatment at the scene only to discover later that they suffered significant injuries.
Having those complaints documented early can become important later in the claims process.
Stay Off Social Media
It is generally best to avoid posting photographs, videos, or commentary about the accident on social media.
Insurance companies and defense attorneys often review social media accounts during the investigation of serious injury claims.
Trucking Evidence Can Disappear Quickly
Unlike ordinary automobile accidents, truck accident cases frequently involve additional evidence such as:
Because some of this evidence may only be retained for a limited period of time, early investigation can be extremely important.
Have You Been Injured in a Truck Accident?
If you have been injured in an accident involving a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, commercial vehicle, or other large truck, contact us online or call our Covington office directly at 985-590-6182 to schedule your free consultation today.
We represent clients throughout St. Tammany Parish, Tangipahoa Parish, Washington Parish, and communities across the Northshore including Covington, Mandeville, Slidell, Hammond, and Madisonville.
When you hire us, rest assured that an attorney handles your case. Your
file won’t be handed over to a junior attorney or secretary. Communication is a cornerstone of our firm.
Our legal library is full of articles on a variety of topics related to personal injury claims in Louisiana. Learn about how accidents happen, what to do when you are a victim, and how an attorney can help you fight for the compensation you may deserve.
