What to Do If You’ve Been in a Truck Accident

Commercial trucks are a common sight on roads, and the Federal Motor Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates and evaluates the risks associated with truck driving.

More trucks in traffic means more people will be involved in truck accidents. Statistical data shows there are around 500,000 truck-related accidents annually, with about 5,000 being fatal.

You must be prepared for an emergency if you spend any time on the road. Here’s how to stay safe during a truck accident as opposed to a car accident.

The Primary Causes of Truck Accidents

The most common cause of truck accidents is the pressure to deliver products within certain deadlines.

Drivers are often forced to drive long distances without any rest between trips. This causes them to lose concentration, become bored, get distracted, or even fall asleep at the wheel. The pressure drivers feel to reach time constraints leads to overtaking and speeding. Some trucks are overloaded to meet demands and save money, making them more difficult to drive safely.

Some truck drivers have been convicted of using alcohol and drugs while working, and these substances have adverse effects on their driving skills. While truck drivers are required to follow safety guidelines, some drivers may be undertrained or have poorly maintained trucks. 

What You Can Do

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, then the first thing to do is assess the situation. Determine your condition, your vehicle’s condition, and assess the scene at large. Exit the vehicle only if it’s safe and you’re relatively uninjured.

Call emergency services, make a police report, and wait for the ambulance, if it was dispatched. You may be injured in a way that doesn’t have immediate symptoms, so get these injuries diagnosed quickly after an accident.

Document evidence at the scene, and take photos of the accident and weather conditions. Take notes and collect contact information of anyone in the area, whether they were involved in the collision or simply witnessed it. Also get information about the driver and their employer.

After the accident, get your vehicle checked over by a mechanic, but don’t get it repaired yet. Instead, take photographs of the damage and get a full report. Contact reputable truck accident lawyers to help deal with the complicated insurance and legal fallout.