Being a truck driver is difficult because you have a lot of responsibilities. Truck drivers are responsible for their safety, their cargo, and the safety of the other motorists. However, despite all the safety measures, truck accidents still occur. Due to their massive weights and their enormous sizes, trucks can cause serious physical injuries, damages, and death if they’re involved in a crash. 4,311 heavy trucks were involved in an accident in 2015. The numbers are 8% higher compared to the numbers in 2014. Given this data, truck accidents are steadily increasing even if the drivers are aware of their responsibilities.
What to Consider When Involved in a Truck Accident
Truck accidents cause significant damage to the other vehicles and properties. They can also cause severe physical injuries or take a life, which is why these types of crashes are often taken seriously. If the truck driver is proven negligent, victims can file against the driver and the trucking company. If you’re a truck driver and you’re involved in a truck accident, you may want to consider these:
- Stop and don’t leave the accident scene. Even if the accident is a minor one, always stay at the scene of the accident. If you’re impeding traffic, inform the other party that you will park your truck on the side of the road to avoid causing too much hassle to other motorists. Never drive off because you might be charged with a hit-and-run offense.
- Check if anyone is hurt. Find out if other people are injured. Check the other vehicle if they need help. In case someone is injured, you need to contact the emergency number immediately. Those who have injuries must receive medical attention to avoid anything serious.
- Take photographs of the accident and the vehicles involved. Document the damages on your truck and the other car. Take pictures using your mobile device so you can use them as evidence. The photographs you take will help in speeding up the investigation.
- Call the law enforcement. Call the police to report to them about what happened. They will investigate to determine which party is at fault.
- Report the incident to your supervisor. Since you’re still on the job, you must report the accident to your supervisor. He or she will then tell it to upper management. It’s essential to report everything to your boss to avoid any confusion as the case progresses.
- Speak with an attorney. Lastly, you must speak with a lawyer to ask for legal help regarding the truck accident. Your attorney can help you tackle the case and can assist you in answering questions about the crash.
If you’re a truck driver, you might feel like you’re already doing the best you can to keep yourself and others safe while you’re on the road. However, there can be instances that you’re not doing the best you can. You might be distracted while you’re driving or you didn’t prepare enough for your shift. Nevertheless, if you’re involved in a truck accident, you can seek legal counsel to learn more about the different ways to handle this case.
