Around half a million trucking accidents occur every year in America and around 5,000 of these accidents end in a fatality. If you or a loved one were ever the victim of a trucking accident, it is overwhelming to know what to do next. To help you be prepared, here are tips from our Dallas truck wreck attorneys for what to do after an accident:
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Seek medical treatment: After any car accident, it’s important to first check to see if anyone has been injured in either vehicle. Even if you don’t think your injuries are serious, you should call 911 immediately to get medical help because your injuries might be worse than you think.
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Contact the police: It’s vital to contact the police right after a trucking accident. The police will conduct a police report, which is important evidence for the insurance company and if you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit. The police report is so valuable because it’s an official, unbiased perspective of what occurred during the trucking accident. When sharing with the police what happened during the tractor-trailer accident, only share the facts. Don’t ever state fault.
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Take evidence: In order to have the most amount of evidence, take pictures with your cell phone or camera of the accident scene. You should also write down important information before you forget it, such as:
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License plate number for both the truck and the trailer (these numbers are usually different)
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Names or other identification on the cab and/or the trailer
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Any skid marks made by the truck
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Condition of the truck’s tires and trailer
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Condition of all vehicles involved in the collision
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Truck driver information, such as his or her license and insurance information
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Insurance information for the truck owner and trailer owner
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Names and contact information of any witnesses
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Contact a truck accident attorney: Even before speaking to your insurance company, it’s important to contact a personal injury attorney. Insurance companies can be hard to deal with, so that’s why it’s vital to speak with a knowledgeable truck accident attorney who can help you get the compensation you are entitled to.
If you or a loved one were the victim of a trucking accident, the Dallas truck accident attorneys at Crowe, Arnold & Majors, LLP are here to help you get the justice you deserve. Contact us today to set up your free, no-obligation consultation.
