Getting into a truck accident can be a very frightening experience, and that’s why many people make costly mistakes. To ensure you protect your rights and interests, there are certain things you should consider doing following a truck crash regardless of how minor it may seem.
Call 911
Even if there are no serious injuries and the truck appears to have sustained only minor damage, it’s important to call the police so they can come to the scene and create a report. This will be crucial if you need to file an insurance claim or take legal action against the truck driver or trucking company. If you or any other person got injured, you should also request medical attention.
If the police do not come to the scene of the accident, you should still file a report with your local law enforcement agency as soon as possible. Make sure to include all the relevant details about the accident, including what happened, the truck driver’s information and any damage or injuries that were sustained.
Exchange information
You will need to exchange your name, contact information and insurance information with the truck driver. If there are any witnesses to the truck crash, try to get their names and contact information as well. This can be helpful in corroborating your account of what happened.
Take photos
If you have a camera or smartphone, take pictures of the damage to both vehicles as well as any injuries you may have sustained. These photos can be used as evidence if you need to file an insurance claim or take legal action.
If you’re not the truck driver, you may be able to get compensation for your injuries, property damage and other losses. This will generally come from the truck driver’s or trucking company’s insurance policy. If you are the truck driver, you may be able to get workers’ compensation if you were injured while on the job.