Understanding Your Rights After a Truck Driver Accident

Truck accidents are a major concern in California, given the state’s vast highway system and its role as a major hub for commerce and transportation. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, California consistently ranks among the states with the highest number of truck-related accidents and fatalities. In addition, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports thousands of truck accidents annually, resulting in significant numbers of injuries and deaths.

Steps To Take After A Truck Accident

If you’re involved in a truck accident, here are the steps you should take:

• Check yourself and get medical attention if necessary: Check yourself and your passengers to ensure that you are safe and don’t need medical assistance. Call 911 and request an ambulance if a party is injured. In some cases, it’s prudent to contact an ambulance even if everyone feels well because traumatic head injuries such as concussions and whiplash often take some time to show up.
• Get your vehicle safely off the road: If possible, move off the road to the shoulder. Put on your blinkers and stay as far to the right as possible.
• Contact the police: Contact the police right away. Your insurance company will want a police report so that they will have a diagram and a chain of events with which to determine fault. When officers respond to the scene, they’ll start an investigation report which is important for your insurance carrier. You or your insurance agent, broker, or legal representative must complete an SR-1 report and send it to the DMV within ten days if someone is injured (no matter how minor the injury), killed, or if the property damage is over $1000.
• Exchange information: Exchange information with the parties in the other vehicle or vehicles, including driver’s license information, car registration information, and insurance company information. 
• Document the scene: Do whatever you can to document the scene immediately after the accident. Take pictures of the cars and their damage, the relative position of the vehicles, skid marks, obstructions, if there are any, and other relevant information. 
• Be careful what you say: While it’s important to be forthcoming with the police, do not share too much information with third parties. Certain statements you make could be construed as admissions of your liability or fault. 
• Get your vehicle evaluated: When your insurance company says it’s ok to do so, get your vehicle evaluated. It may have more damage than you can see. 
• Continue to follow doctor’s orders: If any, be sure to continue to follow orders from your doctor. This will be important in establishing economic damages for your case.

Contact a Los Angeles Truck Accident Attorney About Your Rights

If you’ve been injured due to the negligence of the truck driver or others and you can prove it, you are entitled to compensation, including economic damages, which is primarily medical and out-of-pocket expenses and lost wages, and non-economic damages, which primarily compensate you for pain and suffering. In certain cases, you may be entitled to punitive damages. 
A skilled Los Angeles truck accident attorney carefully investigates the facts surrounding your collision to strengthen your case and get you the compensation you need and deserve. At Pathway Law Firm, we have many years of experience helping our clients obtain what they’re due. Contact us for a free consultation today.