What To Do If You Are Involved In A Trucking Accident

When a truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the result can be devastating. Those traveling in the passenger vehicle are likely to be seriously injured or tragically killed in the collision. In the moments after such an accident, you may not know what to do. First and most important is your health. The next steps will either help or hurt your chances of successfully filing a personal injury claim.

1. Get Medical Attention Directly After The Accident
Statistically, all impacts will result in some kind of bodily injury and/or pain. The most important thing is to get the medical attention you need. Even if you have no apparent injuries, see a doctor anyway. Some injuries take days to become physically apparent. There may be internal damage, or the adrenaline in your body prevents you from realizing your injuries until later on. A visit with a doctor will serve as documentation of your injuries if you decide to file a claim.

2. Call 911
Whether the accident is minor or serious, it is a good idea to call the police to the scene. Have the officer generate a report detailing the accident. A police report will serve as valuable evidence when you decide to file a claim against the trucking company. You can obtain a copy of the police report by calling your local police department. Keep a copy for yourself. The insurance company will also want a copy if you are filing a claim.

3. Take Pictures & Write Down Details
If you can, take photos of the accident scene. Photos of the scene will help determine who is at fault, as they will show the positions of the vehicles. Pictures also serve as proof of damages to your vehicle. Take the photos as soon as possible and before either vehicle is moved. Accident reconstruction specialists can use your photos to create a model of the accident and provide an opinion on who was at fault for the collision. Along with taking photos, gather contact information of witnesses if possible. Their account of the accident may benefit you if you make a claim.

If you are injured and need medical attention, do not stop to take photos. Get medical attention immediately.

4. Get A Lawyer
Getting a lawyer involved immediately will help preserve evidence. Lawyers will be able to secure evidence that otherwise might be lost if there is a delay. If you are injured in the accident, hire a lawyer. You may be able to obtain compensation for the following:

• Medical Bills
• Lost Wages
• Pain & Suffering
• Loss of Companionship
• Special damages: which includes other monetary losses after an accident

In order to win a case like this, you will need to prove the trucking company and the driver were liable for your injuries. The trucking company that employs the driver may be held responsible through “Vicarious Liability”. Vicarious liability means that employers are responsible for accidents their employees get into while on the job.

Contact Us
If you were hurt or a loved one was severely injured or died in a trucking accident, immediate investigation and concerted legal action may be necessary to protect your right to seek maximum recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation. At Miller Weisbrod, our clients are not statistics — they are real people in need of proactive, aggressive representation to defend their rights. Our Dallas truck accident attorneys are prepared to take on even the biggest trucking companies and commercial transportation operations across the United States. For more information, contact our offices in Dallas at 214.987.0005 to schedule an appointment.