Even the most experienced truck drivers can get into accidents, whether by their own unintentional fault or another’s. In the case of an accident, it’s important to know what to do.
First, it’s important to seek medical attention (if necessary) and to contact the relevant authorities. Then, it’s crucial to gather all evidence that could make your case and hire a reliable truck accident lawyer in South Carolina from Strom Law to help defend you and fight for rightful compensation.
Common Truck Driving Accidents
Truck accidents don’t just happen on the road–they can happen indoors, too.
What is the most common type of lift truck accident? These include:
- Rollovers (which are the most common for lift trucks)
- Collisions
- Jackknife accidents
- T-bone accidents
- Sideswipe accidents
- Wide turn accidents
- Blind spot accidents
- Brake failure accidents
- Tire blowouts
Most of these are caused by driver negligence, which could be a result of improper education, fatigue, or carelessness. It doesn’t matter what trucking company has the most accidents; what’s important is that individual drivers are responsible enough to carry out their duties safely.
It’s crucial that drivers are in the right physical and mental state to operate their vehicles, and that they have adequate training to be driving these big cars with heavy loads. They must also make sure that their trucks are ready for their trips and that they’re only carrying what the vehicle is built to bear.
What to Do When a Truck Driver Has an Accident
Here’s a step-by-step guide on what happens when a truck driver has an accident:
Seek Medical Attention
Some truck driving accidents will involve injuries, and if that’s the case, you must seek medical attention immediately. Call 911 and call for an ambulance, and make sure those who need treatment get it right away.
Contact the Authorities
Contact the relevant authorities, whether you need police, investigators, or highway patrol. They should arrive at the scene to collect information and help you get things straightened out. Their assistance is especially useful if you’re involved with another party who is uncooperative.
Stay at the Scene of the Accident
Be sure to stay at the scene of the accident. You need to be there to assist the other party, exchange information, and ensure that all processes are followed. Contact your insurance provider, and if you’re driving for a company, contact your employer.
While you’re at the scene, try to determine who could be liable for the accident. Typically, this could be one of three parties: the truck driver, the trucking company, or the truck manufacturer. The truck driver could be liable if they broke the law while driving, the trucking company may be responsible if they hired a driver who was inexperienced or who did not use the right precautions to ensure safe movement, or the truck manufacturer could be liable if the accident was caused by problems with the vehicle.
Look for Witnesses
Help your case by finding witnesses who can attest to what happened during the accident. It’s best to find someone who saw everything play out, from right before the event happened to its immediate aftermath. If you see someone who saw everything happen, ask for their contact details.
Document All Evidence
Take photos of what happened, including the effects on the vehicle, the surface conditions, any injuries, etc. Document what you can and gather as much information as possible as this will help you get to the bottom of what happened and plead your case to receive just compensation.
Hire a Lawyer
One of the most important things a truck driver can do after an accident is to hire a lawyer, such as the truck accident attorneys at Strom Law. A lawyer can help you explore options available to you to obtain compensation and fight for damages.
They can also help you deal with your insurance provider, if necessary. Additionally, if your employer fails to have your back, a lawyer can help you navigate any disputes for favorable results.
Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer from Strom Law
Strom Law is ready to help you get through a truck-driving accident. Experienced truck driving attorneys can help you understand what to do after the event and explore what options are available for you to receive compensation or get legal backup. Contact Strom Law for a consultation today!
