How to Handle the Aftermath of a Truck Accident

Accidents of any kind aren’t exactly a fun topic to discuss. It is, however, extraordinarily important to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances that can occur on the road. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported in 2015 that more than 4,000 large trucks and buses were involved in crashes causing a fatality and more than 90,000 accidents causing injury.

If those numbers don’t grab your attention, the financial statistics might. According to the US Department of Transportation, the average cost of a fatal truck-involved accident is over $7 million. Every case is different in its way, and hopefully, it is something you never have to experience, but being educated on a few simple steps and procedures can help your case immensely and get you the compensation deserved.

Put yourself in these shoes: You’ve just been involved in a truck accident. Do you know how to handle the situation? The first step is to check (if possible) to see if anyone involved, including yourself, might need immediate medical assistance. Next, you should contact the police by dialing 911 immediately for a quick and timely preservation of the accident scene.

NOTE: After calling the police, we recommend contacting us, Butler, Vines and Babb, as quickly as possible. We have a Rapid Response Team in Knoxville Tennessee and surrounding region to assist in the immediate investigation of an accident.

If you are able, before emergency services arriving at the accident scene, you should document as much as possible of the site from your perspective. This includes taking pictures of everything from the road conditions (skid marks, ice, rain, construction zone, etc.) to multiple angles of all vehicles involved. Also, gather the names of anyone involved in the accident and their insurance information. A good piece of advice is to ask for contact information of any bystanders or motorists that were witness to the accident take place.

Once emergency services arrive, they will assess the situation further and provide medical service if needed. They will conduct a medical evaluation on anyone involved. It is important to be honest during this and to not over-exaggerate any injuries, but also be sure to disclose any minuscule differences such as a sore neck that wasn’t sore before the accident. Once evaluations are finished, the police will conduct quick interviews with all parties involved and if possible, any witnesses. It is critical that when interviewed, you stick to the facts only and do not admit fault. Once the accident report is finished, request a copy.

While you are still at the scene, you should contact your insurance provider. Insurance companies occasionally send an adjuster to a scene to acquire information directly. Once again, it is important to not admit fault of any kind to your insurance company.

Another tip that often goes forgotten following a truck accident is to seek medical attention after the fact. Regardless of whether you are injured or not, find a medical professional to provide you with a full evaluation. Many vehicle injuries do not show signs immediately.

If you or a someone you know has been involved in a truck accident in the Knoxville Tennessee region, or anywhere, contact Butler, Vines and Babb. At Butler, Vines and Babb, we have represented clients in negotiations and the courtroom for more than 35 years with car and truck accidents. We are your Knoxville Tennessee attorney for the tough times, so if you come face to face with an unfortunate situation, contact us to make an appointment.

Butler, Vines and Babb is a leading law firm in Knoxville, TN, with extensive litigation experience in Medical Malpractice Law, Birth Injury Law, Trucking Accident Law, Personal Injury Law, and Business Law. Contact us today at 

www.butlervinesbabblaw.com or call 866-701-9631.

Please reference BV&B's content disclaimer (located in this channel's profile description) in regard to this shared content.

How to Handle the Aftermath of a Truck Accident