Steps to Take After a Truck Accident

Few things could be more horrifying than being in an accident that involves a commercial truck. A fatality may result because of the immense size and weight of the truck. However, if an individual survives such an accident, he or she may be entitled to receive compensation. Additionally, if a victim was killed in an accident, the deceased victim’s family may file a wrongful death lawsuit. It is advised that you contact a highly qualified truck accident attorney Los Angeles immediately. Below are steps to take if you are a victim in a commercial accident.

Get Medical Attention
One of the first things the accident victim should do is seek medical attention right away. Some symptoms may not appear instantly, but a medical professional can look for underlying problems that might take hours or days to display symptoms.

Don’t Leave the Accident Scene
It is illegal to leave an accident scene. Los Angeles truck accident attorneys advise that the victim should wait for first responders to arrive. This will allow proper documentation and reporting of the accident to police.

Move to Safety
If the accident leaves the victim in a dangerous spot, he or she should immediately move to safety as near to the accident site as possible. However, if he or she is seriously injured, it is not advisable to be physically moved.

Call Police
Every truck accident lawyer Los Angeles will tell you to call the police if you are in an accident, especially one that involves injury or death. An accident report will be written that documents vehicle damage and injuries. This report will greatly assist a personal injury lawyer Los Angeles in getting the compensation a victim deserves.

Collect Accident Information
Even though police will do a report, a person involved in an accident should collect information, as well. It would be beneficial to get the truck driver’s name, license number and phone number. In addition, one should collect the trucking company information and insurance carrier.

Get Statements From Witnesses
If possible, one should ask the witness to write down what he or she saw. Be sure to also get the contact information for your attorney’s benefit.

Take Pictures
While written information and statements are valuable, photos taken at the scene may prove to be even more important. Photograph all vehicles and damage, as well as positions on the roadway. Also, document injuries with pictures taken immediately and during the process of healing.