Truck accidents can be catastrophic. Due to the size of commercial trucks compared to passenger vehicles, any collision between the two can be incredibly destructive and can cause great harm to victims. Victims have legal protections available to them, including personal injury legal protections, and should know how to document a truck accident.
Sobering statistics
According to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, during 2018, 5,096 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal motor vehicle accidents.
Check list
The first priority after any motor vehicle accident is to get medical attention for those who need it. If possible, truck accident victims should make sure police are summoned to the scene and that they obtain a copy of the official police report. Oftentimes, a certified truck inspector will examine the scene. It is also a good idea to take pictures of the scene, and to document injuries and damage that was done whenever possible. Victims should try to get witness contact information if they are able to do so.
In addition, in many truck accident cases, the truck driver will be tested for drug or alcohol impairment to determine if they were impaired at the time of the crash. Truck accident victims should also seek to obtain electronic logs which can reveal if the truck driver took required rest breaks and was following Hours of Service regulations to help ensure drowsy truck drivers are not on the roadways.
It is also helpful for victims to keep notes of their recollection of the truck accident and to keep records of all the medical treatment and care they receive related to the truck accident. Personal injury cases involving truck accidents can be highly complex, and good records can be enormously important in ensuring that the injured are able to recover the compensation they deserve.