What to Do After a Trucking Accident

Victims involved in a trucking accident often face serious injury and loss. That is why it is so critical to call 911 as your first step, even if you seem to be okay. The sooner you call, the faster medical care and police get to the scene to start assisting, including documenting your accident.

To protect your right to fair compensation, follow these steps whenever possible after a trucking accident and call 911. Then, talk to a Long Beach truck accident lawyer.

Get Yourself to Safety

Move yourself out of the way of additional harm and, if you are physically able to do so, check on your passengers and anyone in the truck to offer help. Always prioritize your safety throughout this process. Do not leave the scene. California law requires that you pull over but not leave the area.

Document the Accident for Evidence

Your next step, once you are safe, is to start documenting what occurred and collecting evidence of the accident. The easiest way to do this is to use video. Turn on the video on your phone and start recording what took place. Video is excellent, but you also want to be sure that you take photos of the damage as well. This includes both the truck and your vehicle’s damage. Take photos of the surrounding area as well as your injuries.

Exchange Information with the Other Driver

You have the right to request the name, contact information, and insurance information from the other driver. If possible, take a photo of their driver’s license. You will also need to provide your information to them. Also, the same information should be provided to the responding police officers.

File a Police Report

If the police arrive at the scene of the accident, you can provide a statement at that time. If doing so, be sure you do not make any statement that is inaccurate or misleading. Specifically, only provide the facts. “The truck hit me while it was merging into my lane without signaling.” Do not say, “I think the driver was falling asleep” or “I looked down at my phone and looked up to see the driver in my lane.”

Get the Names of Witnesses

If anyone in the area stopped to help you, ask that they provide their name and contact information in case police need it later. Their statement could help you build a strong case for your Long Beach personal injury claim later if they saw what occurred just before the accident or saw how the accident took place.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Do not file a claim, but notify your insurance company of the accident. You may need to provide information about the accident, but you do not need to file a claim for damages yet.

Get Medical Care

Go to the hospital or urgent care even if you think you are okay. Doing so will help you document your injuries and help show they were brought on specifically by the truck accident. Follow all doctor recommendations.

Contact an Attorney Who Handles Truck Accidents

At Harting Simkins And Ryan, LLP, we encourage every person hurt in a truck accident to speak to a Long Beach accident attorney. Doing so protects your rights to compensation while also minimizing the risk of facing pushback from the related insurance companies. After a trucking accident, contact our attorneys for a free consultation to make sure you are getting treated fairly.