Commercial trucks are necessary to transport goods and services all over the country. While they make our lives easier in many respects, they can weigh up to 40 tons.
A commercial truck accident can inflict catastrophic damage due its extreme size and weight. The aftermath can be traumatic and it’s crucial to take the proper steps after one of these accidents to help protect your rights.
Houston commercial truck accident attorneys stay busy fighting for clients’ rights because unfortunately commercial truck accidents are not uncommon. The number of commercial trucks on the road means the chances of being involved in an accident with one of these monstrous vehicles is dramatically increased. While it is imperative you contact skilled Houston commercial truck accident attorneys during the aftermath, there are other steps you should also take.
Here’s what to do immediately after an accident with a commercial truck in Houston.
Get Medical Attention
Of course, the first priority is to get medical attention for everyone involved in the accident. Even if it’s a small fender bender, which is unlikely with a large commercial truck, you’ll want to get checked out by medical staff. The sheer size and weight of a commercial truck tends to inflict damage of catastrophic proportions when they impact smaller vehicles or pedestrians.
Be prepared to call 911 and get emergency personnel to the scene. Relate the obvious injuries when you call for help so emergency personnel can be prepared to offer treatment. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be taken to the emergency trauma unit, or you could be treated and released. Some injuries are so catastrophic that people lose consciousness and can’t participate in their care.
Document the Scene, if Possible
If you are alert and able, document the scene as best you can. Take pictures with your cell phone and make notes about things you see. Document any identifying marks on the truck such as license plates or company logos. Take pictures of street names, landmarks, and other key features such as stop signs or lights. If there were witnesses to the accident, you’ll want to document them as well.
If you are alert and able to move with your cell phone, take pictures of your injuries along with the injuries of any other occupants in your vehicle. Photograph debris on the road and anything that looks like it may be relevant. This is where you start building your case and accident investigators know how to use this information to document your story.
Exchange Driver Information
Assuming you have not been whisked away to the emergency room by medical personnel, you’ll want to exchange information with the driver of the commercial truck. When you contact Houston commercial truck accident attorneys, they will need this information along with all evidence and documentation you gathered at the scene.
You’ll want to get the driver’s contact information, insurance information, and employer. If you’re able, get the driver’s personal insurance information and their commercial insurance information if they are on the job for a company. Sometimes, the most difficult job for Houston commercial truck accident attorneys is trying to determine who is at fault in an accident. The commercial truck driver may beat fault but the company they work for may also share responsibility for the accident.
Talk to Potential Witnesses
If there are potential witnesses at the scene and you are alert enough to communicate, you’ll want to get their contact information and document anything they say. You can take their picture and get their name, phone number, and address. This is information your Houston commercial truck accident attorneys will need to help prove your case.
Your Houston truck accident attorneys will review and interview potential witnesses to see what they saw and if they can add value to your claim. They may also need to be interviewed by the truck accident investigators, but it is imperative that their statements are taken as soon a s possible while everything is still fresh in their minds.
Make a Statement and Get a Copy of the Report
When you have a serious accident with a commercial truck and emergency personnel are called to the scene, police will likely show up and conduct their own investigation. They will take statements from everyone involved along with any witnesses to the accident. The police will then take this information and fill out a report to file.
You’ll need to ensure that police get your statement, too. Ask how to go about getting a copy of the police report and when it may be available. You’ll want to give this information to your Houston commercial truck accident attorneys. They will request a copy of the accident report and review it to see if it adds value to your case.
Keep Your Documentation in One Place
Next, you’ll need to contact skilled Houston commercial truck accident attorneys who have experience handling cases involving large commercial trucks and catastrophic accidents.
It takes more than a simple Google search to find the best Houston commercial truck accident attorneys, but you’ll know when you find them. Don’t wait to contact them. It’s critical that you get experienced Houston commercial truck accident attorneys involved in your case as soon as possible because time is of the essence.
They will help ensure you get adequate and proper ongoing medical care for your injuries. They know which tests need to be performed to ensure you are in optimal health after your accident of catastrophic proportions. Then give them your documentation file so they have time to go through it and investigate everything.
Your Houston commercial truck accident attorneys will fight for your rights to get you the compensation you deserve after your accident. While the money won’t make up for the injuries you’ve suffered, it can help you move on to normal life again.