Whether you’re on a Tennessee highway or a country road, commercial trucks are a threat to smaller vehicles. Always give them the right of way and stay alert because if there is a crash, the size of a commercial truck increases its destructive power, and you and your passengers could be harmed. Here are some tips to remember if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation.
Photographs
Use your cell phone to take pictures of the accident scene from every angle. Document the damage to your car as well as to the truck. If ice or debris is on the road, take shots of that.
Take photographs of your injuries as soon as you have sufficient privacy. Bruises change appearance from one day to the next, so create a timeline account of the damage.
Police report
Ask the responding police officer for a copy of the police report. If they can’t provide it at the scene, ensure you write down the officer’s name, badge number and instructions for requesting the document from the police station.
Witnesses
Collect the names and contact information from as many individuals as you can. Everyone had a different view of the accident, and they may provide valuable insight into cause and liability.
Trucking company information
At some point, you or someone working on your behalf must contact the trucking company for records regarding the driver’s history, drug test results and logged driving hours at the time of the accident. You also need to collect information on any third-party loader and the truck’s manufacturer in case of known defects in the vehicle.
Medical records
Retain all your medical records, including office visits, hospital stays, scans, procedures, drugs and invoiced bills and payments. The pain and suffering from a severe crash may last for years, and you want to receive adequate compensation.