Trucks regularly travel the roads of Toledo and across Ohio. Unfortunately, this increases the risks of accidents occurring. It’s important to know the steps to take if you were involved in such an accident.
Get to safety and call 911
Truck accidents are devastating and can cause serious damage and catastrophic injuries. If you’re well enough, get to safety immediately and call 911. The police and emergency medical personnel need to get to the scene. The police will take an accident report and you and other parties who need medical assistance can get it.
Get medical treatment
It’s important to seek medical treatment beyond what EMTs can offer. You might believe you’re uninjured, but adrenaline runs high after a harrowing truck accident. You might have internal injuries that need immediate attention. It’s better to be safe than sorry. You don’t want to risk your health and life.
Get the truck driver’s information
Exchange information with the truck driver. Get their name, truck number, license plate number, trucking company name and contact information. Avoid making conversation.
Find witnesses
If witnesses are at the scene, get their names and contact information. Record them recalling the events leading to the truck crash and what they saw during it.
Gather evidence
Evidence is important when you plan to file a personal injury claim for damages. A copy of the police report, your medical records and witness statements are a good place to start. You should also document the accident scene by taking photos showing the damage. Write down everything while it’s fresh in your mind.
You will also want to check the electronic logs of the trucker’s travels and hours worked during the day of the accident. It can show whether the driver was driving while fatigued or otherwise negligent.