What to Do if You Are Involved in a Trucking Accident
Click here for our helpful checklist to assist you in pursuing your case.
- Call the police – Most times, a collision with a semi-truck will block or reduce the flow of traffic. You or your passengers may have injuries. A police report can be one of your most important pieces of evidence.
- Take notes – Write down your observations at the scene including any admissions the truck driver may make like, “It was my fault”, or “I didn’t see you”. The same goes for witnesses who may have heard admissions the driver made.
- Get contact information from witnesses – Be sure to get as much contact information as possible. You may want to get back to these witnesses sometime after the road workers clear the accident. Make sure you write down what they say, especially if they observed the trucker run a red light, fail to yield to you, etc.
- Look for surveillance cameras – Note their location. Your attorney can later subpoena them if a lawsuit becomes necessary.
- Report Your Truck Accident to Your Insurance Company – You must report the truck wreck to your insurance company to preserve your coverage. When you do, do not tell them how you feel or provide any information other than what is in the accident report. You have a contractual obligation to cooperate with your insurance company’s investigation, but only tell them what is necessary. Do not go into great detail with them. Do not sign anything without contacting The Monk Law Firm first.
- Do Not Talk to Other Insurance Companies or Sign Anything – Do not speak to them. Do not sign anything! Tell the insurance representative you are retaining a lawyer and that the lawyer will contact them.
- Do Not Talk to the Trucking Company’s Claims Adjuster or Sign Anything – You may also be contacted by the trucking company’s claims adjuster. If so, provide the phone number of your truck accident attorney and do not answer them.
- Take Photographs – of your vehicle before any repairs are done on it or before it is destroyed, of the truck and as much of the accident scene as possible, including skid marks, removable objects, any debris and your injuries.
- Make Sure Your Police Report is Filed
- See a Doctor as Soon as Possible after the Truck Accident
- Contact the Monk Law Firm for a free consultation
