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Picture this: two vehicles pull up to a light, ready to make a right turn. On the inside lane is a small four-door commuter vehicle; in the outside lane is a large commercial truck. Unfortunately, the truck doesn't see the car on its right, and as it begins to make its slow, behemoth turn, the smaller vehicle’s passenger side is crushed under the extended trailer of the truck.
This scenario is devastatingly common, as are many other Wilmington area truck accidents. Fortunately, there is a course of action that anyone in a commercial truck accident should follow.
It’s easier said than done, but take whatever sliver of clarity that shock provides and use it to take a deep breath. The first few moments after a truck accident are jarring and distressing, but it will take presence of mind to get through the next few steps on the list. So sit, orient yourself in space, ensure you can safely access your phone, and take another deep breath.
Depending on the nature of your accident, you and your passengers may not be in great shape. Again, take advantage of your body’s shock response to call 911 immediately. Make sure that they understand you need both police and ambulance services, and include that you have been in an accident with a commercial truck.
Even medical professionals can struggle to diagnose their own injuries – you can’t possibly know whether you are healthy after a commercial truck accident. Therefore, it’s imperative that ambulance services arrive on the scene to thoroughly investigate your condition and the conditions of your passengers and the truck driver. Having both ambulance and police on-scene will ensure that the accident is properly documented, studied, and secured for your safety.
If you require emergency treatment, the ambulance will stabilize you and take you to the closest hospital for emergency treatment. While you’re full of adrenaline (there’s that shock response again), it is challenging to locate the source of pain or even feel it. However, it is recommended that you get to a doctor after a truck accident. An immediate, thorough examination is crucial to document your injuries and begin potentially life-saving treatment.
Finding a witness will depend on your physical condition after your Wilmington truck accident. Additionally, depending on the location of the accident, it may be unsafe for you to venture out of your vehicle and collect witnesses. However, in the best-case scenario, good samaritans will stop and call the police, then wait to ensure that police understand what happened. This third-party information is crucial for police to build an accurate understanding of the nature of the accident.
Whatever evidence you can collect at the scene of an accident will bolster your case against the driver at fault. Take cell phone photos of the damage done to all sides of each vehicle, including scratches, dents, tire damage, and license plates. Exchange insurance information with the truck driver and take a photo of their ID. As soon as possible, write down everything you remember about the accident, including your speed, the time of day, and the weather.
Neither assigning blame nor apologizing at the scene is the way to go when you’ve been in an accident. What you say is important and will be noted by the police. Once it is time to assign responsibility for the accident, those conversations you had on the roadside are weighed with the rest of the evidence collected. Though you may be furious at the commercial truck for causing your injury, remain level-headed and only answer questions as they are posed to you. Do NOT speak to any insurance company without an attorney.
Getting into a truck accident is tough, and finding the right Wilmington area truck accident attorney is crucial. Once the chaos of the crash scene subsides, it is critical that you contact your Wilmington truck accident attorney to protect your rights and seek compensation for the damages you suffer during a commercial truck accident.
The lawyers at Rodzik Law Group have been practicing personal injury law for over 30 years and have recovered over $100 million since 2000*. Call now to discuss your Wilmington truck accident with our qualified attorneys.