Crucial Steps To Take After a Truck Accident
Knowing what to do immediately after a truck accident can help protect your health, your evidence, and your ability to pursue compensation.
Quick Take: Truck accidents can cause serious injuries and property damage because of the considerable difference in size and weight between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles. If another party’s negligence caused your Illinois truck accident, taking the right steps immediately afterward can help protect your health and your potential claim.
Due to the considerable difference in size and weight, accidents involving trucks can be deadlier than other traffic-related accidents. According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 alone, more than 5,000 large trucks were involved in a fatal crash. In the same year, more than 117,000 large trucks were involved in accidents resulting in an injury.
Unfortunately, truck accidents are also common in the state of Illinois. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, in 2018, there were 12,267 accidents involving tractor-trailers in Illinois. Illinois is also one of the states with a significant number of truck drivers traveling its roads, which can contribute to the number of commercial truck accidents occurring throughout the state.
Who Can Be Liable for an Illinois Truck Accident?
If you are injured in a truck accident in Illinois because of another party’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries and damages. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, multiple parties may potentially be held liable.
Truck Driver
A truck driver may potentially be liable when negligent driving contributes to an accident.
Trucking Company
Depending on the circumstances, the trucking company may also be a potentially responsible party.
Other Responsible Parties
Other parties may potentially share liability depending on the cause and circumstances of the crash.
Because truck accident claims can involve multiple potentially responsible parties, preserving evidence and taking appropriate steps after the collision can be particularly important.
Five Crucial Steps to Take After an Illinois Truck Accident
The following steps can help protect your health, preserve important evidence, and put you in a better position to address an Illinois truck accident claim.
Call the Police
Calling the police after an Illinois truck accident is important, even if you initially believe there is little or no damage to report. Generally, calling the police after a traffic accident may be legally required in Illinois depending on the circumstances.
The police report created after a crash can also become an important piece of evidence when investigating an Illinois truck accident claim.
Seek Medical Attention
After a truck accident, make sure you seek medical attention. If you do not call an ambulance at the accident scene, you should see a doctor as soon as possible after leaving the scene.
Prompt medical attention can help protect your health and wellbeing. Medical records can also become important evidence when you pursue a truck accident claim because an insurance company may closely review your medical treatment and records.
Exchange and Gather Information
Just as you would after any traffic accident, make sure you exchange information with the truck driver and other parties involved in the crash.
Important information can include contact information and insurance information. If you are able to do so safely, you should also gather contact information from witnesses who observed the accident.
Take Photos and Videos
Take photographs and videos at the accident scene when you can do so safely. Visual evidence may help document the vehicles, damage, roadway, surrounding conditions, and other details that could become relevant to your claim.
Remember to preserve the original photos and videos and, when available, retain the associated date and time information.
Contact an Attorney Before Speaking With the Insurance Company
After a truck accident, consider contacting an attorney before speaking with an insurance company. An attorney can help you understand your rights and may communicate with the insurance company on your behalf. It is generally advisable to avoid making detailed statements to an insurance company about your claim before speaking with an attorney.
Why Evidence Matters After a Truck Accident
Truck accident claims can involve more than the damage visible at the crash scene. Medical records, police reports, photographs, videos, witness information, and insurance documentation may all become relevant when determining what happened and evaluating the resulting injuries and damages.
Preserve What You Can
Do not assume that evidence will remain available indefinitely. Photographs, witness information, medical records, police reports, and other documentation may help establish the circumstances surrounding an Illinois truck accident and the impact of the resulting injuries.
What Should You Do After an Illinois Truck Accident?
Should I call the police after a truck accident?
Calling the police after an Illinois truck accident is important, even when the damage initially appears minor. Depending on the circumstances, Illinois law may require a crash to be reported. A police report may also provide useful evidence for a later claim.
Should I see a doctor after a truck accident?
Yes. If you are injured or experiencing symptoms after a truck accident, seek medical attention promptly. Medical records can document your injuries and treatment and may become important evidence in a truck accident claim.
What information should I collect after a truck accident?
When it is safe to do so, gather contact and insurance information from the truck driver and other involved parties. You should also try to obtain contact information from witnesses who observed the crash.
Should I talk to the insurance company before an attorney?
Consider speaking with an attorney before providing a detailed statement to an insurance company. An attorney can explain the claims process and help you understand how to protect your legal rights.
Contact a Champaign Truck Accident Attorney
If you were injured in a truck accident and need help pursuing the compensation you may be entitled to recover, contact a qualified Champaign truck accident attorney at Patel Law, P.C. today.
