Crucial Steps To Take After a Truck Accident

Due to the considerable difference in size and weight, accidents involving trucks are deadlier than other traffic-related accidents. According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 alone, more than 5,000 large trucks were involved in a fatal crash. Also, in the same year, more than 117,000 large trucks were involved in accidents resulting in an injury.

Unfortunately, truck accidents are quite common in the state of Illinois. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, in 2018, there were 12,267 accidents involving tractor-trailers in Illinois. Generally, when many truck drivers are on the road, more truck accidents are bound to occur. The state of Illinois is one of the U.S. states with the most truck drivers.

Fortunately, if you get into a truck accident in Illinois because of another party’s negligence, you can recover compensation from the at-fault party. In Illinois, different parties can be held liable for injuries and damages after a truck accident. Some of the parties that can be held liable in an Illinois truck accident include, among many others, the truck driver and the trucking company.

Nevertheless, to ensure you get the compensation you deserve after an Illinois truck accident, it is crucial that you follow certain steps. Failure to follow the necessary steps after an Illinois truck accident can result in you losing your right to compensation or recovering less payment than you deserve.

Below are five crucial steps to take after an Illinois truck accident to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

• Call the Police: Calling the police after an Illinois truck accident is of utmost importance, even if you believe there is no damage to report. Generally, calling the police after a traffic accident is a legal requirement in Illinois. The police report written after a crash can prove quite useful in your Illinois truck accident claim.

• Seek Medical Attention: After a truck accident, ensure you seek medical attention. If you don’t call an ambulance to the accident scene, make sure you see a doctor as soon as you can after leaving the accident scene. Seeking prompt medical attention after an Illinois truck accident can help you protect your health and wellbeing. Additionally, seeking medical attention after a truck accident can help you protect your legal rights. When you file your truck accident claim, the insurance company will keenly go through your medical records.

• Exchange and Gather Information: Just as you would after any traffic accident, make sure you give the truck driver your information after a truck accident. Also, ensure you gather information from the truck driver and any other party involved in the accident after a truck accident. Some of the information you should exchange and gather after a truck accident includes contact and insurance information. Additionally, if you are able to, you should gather contact information from witnesses.

• Take Photos and/or Videos: Take photos and/or videos at the accident scene that you can use as evidence. Remember to include time stamps on your photos or videos.

• Contact Your Attorney before your Insurance Company: After a truck accident, you should contact an attorney even before contacting an insurance company. It is recommendable that you avoid speaking to insurance companies before speaking to an attorney.

• Contact a Champaign Truck Accident Attorney: If you were in a truck accident and need help recovering the compensation you deserve as an injured victim, contact a qualified Champaign truck accident attorney at Patel Law, P.C. today.