What Information Should You Collect After a Trucking Accident?
When you or a loved one are involved in a trucking accident, the moves you make
next can help make or break your case and your ability to receive fair
compensation. Collecting the right information is crucial, and at Sorey &
Gilliland LLP, we want you to understand the exact steps to take and information
you should gather after a trucking accident.
Crucial Information Could Win Your Case
When you file a claim or lawsuit for compensation, the burden of proof is on you
and your attorney to establish the party(ies) legally liable for the accident.
The first and most important point is to get the personal and business
information of the truck driver, including:
- Name
- Address
- Phone numbers (home and mobile)
- Driver’s license information (taking a photo with your phone is best)
- Insurance information, including the company and policy number
- Trucking company name
- Trucking company contact information
Further, any documentation or evidence of the surrounding areas and
circumstances is vital:
- Photographs of the damage to your vehicle and the other vehicle
- Photographs of the roadway, skid marks, and environment
- The contact information of any witnesses
- A police report
- Observe any other factors that may have contributed to the accident and take
notes, such as any construction debris in the area, poor visibility of
signs, and other factors
Working with the Police
In a trucking accident, standard procedure is to call 911 and law enforcement
will arrive along with emergency medical technicians. The police officer will
inspect the scene and interview those involved as well as witnesses. Following
this, the officer will issue a police report with a determination of fault in
the accident. When you speak to law enforcement, describe only the facts of the
situation and avoid admitting any liability for the accident.
The Importance of Medical Assistance
After an accident, many people experience a shock, and may not be aware of the
degree of the injuries until time has passed. Even if you believe you are fine,
get a full medical evaluation. Soft tissue injuries, whiplash, and others could
have a long-term effect if not treated at once. Even if an emergency medical
technician releases you, undergo a full medical evaluation. Your medical records
will be subject to scrutiny by insurance adjuster throughout your personal
injury claim and having a complete history of how your injuries affected you
immediately after an accident and in the long-term can be extremely important to
your case. When a trucking accident attorney takes your case, we will perform a
comprehensive case evaluation to determine the maximum compensation to pursue.
The last thing you and your family want is to have an injury appear after the
case was settled, leaving you with medical bills that you may not be able to
afford.
Contact Us Today
The earlier you contact an attorney and retain legal counsel for your case, the
better. Never deal with the insurance company of the trucking firm to settle
your case – that’s the job of an experienced truck accident lawyer. Without legal counsel, you may be convinced to accept a settlement far lower
than you deserve. At Sorey & Gilliland LLP, we take cases on a contingency
fee basis, which means there is no upfront cost to you for us to fight on your
behalf and no legal fees unless we win.