Keep On Truckin': What Every Truck Driver Needs To Do After An Accident

Every truck driver gets extensive training when it comes to safety on the road, but the universal fear that comes with driving a truck is being involved in a highway crash death or, less severely, injuries or losses from property damage. Here's what you need to do if you ever find yourself involved in a truck driver accident.

Never Admit Fault Right Away

Never admit fault until you have discussed the full situation with an attorney. You can and should express concern for the other parties who were involved in the crash, but that doesn't mean that you take full responsibility. After speaking with an attorney, you may discover that some things you felt responsible for are actually not your legal responsibility. When you do speak to an attorney, be sure that you express the full, open truth, so that the lawyer can best help you deal with the aftermath of an accident.

Gather Immediate Evidence

Right from the start, you need to start collecting evidence. As long as you are in a safe spot and not in a place where you or the other party would be in immediate danger, stop to take photographs immediately. You want to capture everything, especially things that may fade away if they are not well-preserved. At the same time, you don't want to mess with anything at the scene of the accident that the police may later need to determine fault.

Go to a Doctor

Many truck drivers skip this part, then later regret it when they don't have proper documentation for their injuries. That can cost them thousands of dollars. When you are involved in an accident, you should immediately go to the doctor for a check-up. Even if you do not think that you are hurt, sometimes injuries can present themselves after the fact, and it's good to check in with a doctor after an accident, so he can more accurately assess any injuries.

Prepare to Prevent Future Accidents

Sometimes accidents are inevitable. You can only control your own driving, but empower yourself by learning all you can about accident prevention. Keep current on the news on the website for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which offers a wealth of information on accident prevention. Likewise, the Truck Safety Coalition commits the majority of its resources to reduce the number of injuries and deaths in truck accidents.  

Finally, keep in mind that it's important to contact a truck accident lawyer before you ever admit fault in an accident. An attorney can offer insights on how to proceed based on your unique situation. Contact a law firm, such as Clearfield & Kofsky, for more information.